17 miles of hiking • 4000' elevation gain •
So glad to be done with this one.
Took the 194 trail north to 158. 158 had several blow downs and the snow started at 3400. Well packed but icy. From the basin around 3400, I ventured off trail to avoid the sidehilling - I wouldn't do this hike for the next several weeks without a good GPS or excellent navigation skills. Routefinding in the several miles of snow was exhausting. I finally made it up to Observation, where the snow had petered out, but the partly cloudy forecast did not materialize.
I took the path of least resistance down to the Trapper Creek trail, occasionally following footprints, but finding that they were often way off track.
The Trapper Creek trail (192) is interesting. The switchbacks coming down the side of the hill are extremely narrow and are eroding, at points, which made for tedious travel (but Eric, I think you'd like this trail). Because there was also brush to contend with, and the focus required to stay on the narrow ledge, it was really draining after all that snow routefinding.
I eventually made it down to the creek, but tripped on a wet stick, and fell pretty hard, right on my jaw. I guess you could call it jawbone flats. (bad Opal Creek humor) I also snapped my carbon fiber trekking pole in two - but I was really lucky - it could have been a lot worse, considering I didn't break my fall. I'm still counting my teeth...
Comments
Eric Peterson
June 20, 2011
You did it! Just the other day I thought you spoke ill of doing the loop. BTW, I do like this loop, did it last July or August and the views were superb! :) Heart ya man. . .
Chris
June 20, 2011
Heh - probably should have followed my own advice. It is pretty creepy traveling several miles solo on tree-welled snow like that, but cool, I suppose.
Kyle Meyer
June 21, 2011
I would just like to make mention of the fact that 419 miles is insane.
Eric Peterson
June 21, 2011
I think the 93,000' gain is more insane than mileage...
Chris
June 21, 2011
I think 12 nights is more insane...
Eric Peterson
June 21, 2011
heh
Kyle Meyer
June 21, 2011
I gotta get my camp on! I need a fish leaderboard…
I just ordered a tenkara fly fishing set up for my trip to to the northern Sierra in two weeks. I am incredibly excited to catch at least 419 fishes.
Chris
June 21, 2011
Sweet!
Good luck with the snow...
Maybe you should have a Snotel leaderboard.
Eric Peterson
June 21, 2011
I love the league standings, but wish you would bring back the top 10 teams and most elevation for mile standings too.
Kyle Meyer
June 21, 2011
I can bring back the top 10. How should it work with the most elevation/mile standings though? Right now, the leader is someone with a single Ruckel Creek hike posted, but that's not right. Perhaps most elevation/mile over 100 miles?
Eric Peterson
June 21, 2011
Yes, over 100 miles or over 213 miles... :) Top 10's !! You probably know this but the search doesn't work too well so it's hard to find other members hiking logs unless they are listed in the current left side entries list or they are listed in any of the leader boards...
Roman
June 19, 2011
No views from the top? You'll have to do it again!
BTW I prefer XC skiing poles after breaking my adjustable hiking poles several times. Ski poles are MUCH stronger, I can put all my weight on one and count on it.