Backpacking trip #3
Trip miles: 9
Total miles: 15
(by Ben)
I had a Jazz game Friday night but that didn't stop us. After work we packed up and got on the road around 11pm. We made it to the trail head by midnight and began our journey.
The first decision to make, whether or not to brave the cold while wrestling Teller to get his boots on to protect his paws from all the sharp rocks. After much discussion we decided it was worth it. By the time they were on I couldn't stop shivering. It's time to get a move on and warm up. Sure enough, only a few minutes down the trail the cold no longer seemed to be bothering us.
We chose to hike 5 mile pass again this week in hopes of finding and recovering Teller's jacket that fell off his backpack and became lost on the early morning hike back to the truck last time. So as our search began, in the dark and cold of night it was slow going. But Teller didn't mind, he just thought it was time for a walk. Jumping, playing, and picking up sticks. While trying to convince him that it was time to work, and not play, I noticed he was missing a boot. After all that discussion whether or not to put them on, one was now lost. "We just can't have nice things!" I shouted. We turn around and start looking for the second piece of lost Teller gear. After 10 minutes, to no avail, his boot was lost forever. We couldn't stop laughing that if we'd only left them in his pack.
Back on the trail I tried to retrace our steps from last trip. Through the fog and light snow falling from the dark clouds that blocked out the moonlight, I was having serious thoughts I would never be able to find the old campsite. But no worries, we can camp anywhere. We continued on until we were at least a mile in, found a spot and called it a night. We fell asleep to me reading a book aloud by headlamp, it only took us a few minutes.
The morning began lazily. Started moving at 7:30am as the sun began to rise, but we didn't get up until 9am. It was so nice to sleep in.
It took us less than an hour to make oatmeal, coffee, tea, pack everything up, and put Teller's remaining 3 boots on.
The fog had lifted, but only to above our heads. The mountain tops still socked in, it provided a picture perfect back drop.
After hiking to the top of the closest hill, we got an overview of our surroundings and planned where to go. Deciding to summit two more mountains before crossing the valley to summit one more to have lunch on the top. At the base there was a white building shining in the sun, we had figure out what it was.
Making it to the valley below we trekked across with our lunch spot in our sights. Although the valley looked very flat and an easy walk, we kept being slowed down my deep dry creek beds. The first one we got through with no problems, the second one didn't work out so well, at least for me.
Only a few steps down the steep bank, and before I knew it I was sliding. First balancing on my feet, then sliding down the muddy slope on my side. My entire left side of my pants covered with mud. Hopefully it will dry and I can just shake and scrape it off. But that want the last creek bed. Again, the next one we passed with no issue. And the following was an identical repeat, except falling on my right, now both sides of my pants covered in mud.
We discovered the white building we were heading towards, turned out to just be another 5 mile pass/No shooting sign.
We made it to the top of our lunch perch and enjoyed our cold cuts and trail mix. After lunch headed towards a large clearing off in the distance we decided to change our plans a little bit. Rather than staying another night, we should head home to be able to get back in time to get everything ready for Superbowl Sunday.
This was an easy decision as we also discovered something new about us when planning future trips, we must plan a destination for each trip and not to over hike an area to keep our stoke high.
Another fun and successful trip in the books!!!
Trip miles: 9
Total miles: 15
(by Ben)
I had a Jazz game Friday night but that didn't stop us. After work we packed up and got on the road around 11pm. We made it to the trail head by midnight and began our journey.
The first decision to make, whether or not to brave the cold while wrestling Teller to get his boots on to protect his paws from all the sharp rocks. After much discussion we decided it was worth it. By the time they were on I couldn't stop shivering. It's time to get a move on and warm up. Sure enough, only a few minutes down the trail the cold no longer seemed to be bothering us.
We chose to hike 5 mile pass again this week in hopes of finding and recovering Teller's jacket that fell off his backpack and became lost on the early morning hike back to the truck last time. So as our search began, in the dark and cold of night it was slow going. But Teller didn't mind, he just thought it was time for a walk. Jumping, playing, and picking up sticks. While trying to convince him that it was time to work, and not play, I noticed he was missing a boot. After all that discussion whether or not to put them on, one was now lost. "We just can't have nice things!" I shouted. We turn around and start looking for the second piece of lost Teller gear. After 10 minutes, to no avail, his boot was lost forever. We couldn't stop laughing that if we'd only left them in his pack.
Back on the trail I tried to retrace our steps from last trip. Through the fog and light snow falling from the dark clouds that blocked out the moonlight, I was having serious thoughts I would never be able to find the old campsite. But no worries, we can camp anywhere. We continued on until we were at least a mile in, found a spot and called it a night. We fell asleep to me reading a book aloud by headlamp, it only took us a few minutes.
The morning began lazily. Started moving at 7:30am as the sun began to rise, but we didn't get up until 9am. It was so nice to sleep in.
It took us less than an hour to make oatmeal, coffee, tea, pack everything up, and put Teller's remaining 3 boots on.
The fog had lifted, but only to above our heads. The mountain tops still socked in, it provided a picture perfect back drop.
After hiking to the top of the closest hill, we got an overview of our surroundings and planned where to go. Deciding to summit two more mountains before crossing the valley to summit one more to have lunch on the top. At the base there was a white building shining in the sun, we had figure out what it was.
Making it to the valley below we trekked across with our lunch spot in our sights. Although the valley looked very flat and an easy walk, we kept being slowed down my deep dry creek beds. The first one we got through with no problems, the second one didn't work out so well, at least for me.
Only a few steps down the steep bank, and before I knew it I was sliding. First balancing on my feet, then sliding down the muddy slope on my side. My entire left side of my pants covered with mud. Hopefully it will dry and I can just shake and scrape it off. But that want the last creek bed. Again, the next one we passed with no issue. And the following was an identical repeat, except falling on my right, now both sides of my pants covered in mud.
We discovered the white building we were heading towards, turned out to just be another 5 mile pass/No shooting sign.
We made it to the top of our lunch perch and enjoyed our cold cuts and trail mix. After lunch headed towards a large clearing off in the distance we decided to change our plans a little bit. Rather than staying another night, we should head home to be able to get back in time to get everything ready for Superbowl Sunday.
This was an easy decision as we also discovered something new about us when planning future trips, we must plan a destination for each trip and not to over hike an area to keep our stoke high.
Another fun and successful trip in the books!!!
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