Ingredients for a first time backpack trip: no rain. Check! Our Girl Scout Hiking group introduced three to the joys of backpacking this weekend; our original plans were for the Olympic Peninsula…but the forecast of flooding rivers and rain were not appealing.
We arrived mid-morning on Sat. 4/29 to a cool breeze, partial sun, with some darker clouds lurking about. The parking lot was about 40% full but filling during the time it took us to repack and gear up.
Several backpacking groups were headed in: families, friends, Boy Scouts, and the 7 of us.Since we had our America the Beautiful pass with us we were covered for the recreation fee; thanks BLM for providing a nice vault toilet too.
Once over the bouncy bridge we were warned immediately of a rattlesnake ahead…..by the time we got to our camp spot at the 2.25 mile mark we had encountered a total of four---one was coiled, rattling, and not happy. We easily gave them all a wide berth as we went off trail, cautiously watching where we stepped around the sage bushes and flowering balsamroot.
At about the one mile point you arrive at a meager junction; having taken the left I now suggest that you go right and cross the creek in about 500’, I believe this is the original trail. Heading to the left brings you to a web of trails including hiking along the bottom of the rocky scree slope. We tried several paths, and finally one that didn’t dead end, but involved scratchy bushes and great flexibility crossing the creek. About another 15 minutes and you get to re-cross the creek in an open area, usually filled with tents.
Ahh the canyon is as beautiful as ever; Arrowleaf Balsamroot in strong bloom, Phlox, and other low flowering shrubs, and trees. Saw one sprig of Lupine in bloom…coming soon!
We setup our two tent camp in the south end of a well-used, flat open area at the 2.25 mile mark; sharing it with the troop of 18 Boy Scouts. We had passed other smaller camp options but left them for the family and friends groups. The sun was making its way thru the clouds as we enjoyed a creekside lunch.
We hiked to the ‘end’ of the trail at the ~3.25 mile marker….the water was a bit too chilly to wade thru so we called it a good turn around spot. But it sure looks inviting; especially if you had hardier clothing to withstand the overgrown looking trail. The trail had taken us up onto some rocky sections that the WTA built a while ago; but it is mostly on dirt. We checked out a huge Ponderosa pine, and enjoyed more flowering shrubberies and the singing birds.
The nearly full moon was a gorgeous end to our day. Overnight temps fell as we awoke to frosted flakes on our tents; but the sun popped up over the aspens and warmed us up pretty fast. Our hike out took us past two more rattlesnakes; and again one (different spots that the day before) was letting us know he wasn’t happy. We ended up coming out on the ‘original’ trail and that was a lot easier, which is why I recommend going right at the one mile junction on your way in.
Other things we saw: a beaver, some good sized trout, bunnies, the 6 snakes, and many spiders... plus flying critters a Bald Eagle, swallows, magpies, a few raptors, and heard an owl. The sheep were out of sight; but one year I saw 3 dozen. Total mileage 6.3. Elevation gain: the new hikers said ‘it was easy’ and they want to come back! Yeah.
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