09.04.2017
Looks like I'm following in Melody's trek steps although, we didn't venture as far. First backpacking trip for me as well this year. :)
I love this valley! So beautiful. The trail runs along the river most of the journey. Lots of grand ponderosas!
It's extremely easy until you reach the devils staircase. I've always been intimidated by the name of this bit. I was assured that it isn't that bad and...it really isn't. You gain elevation quickly before it starts to take the course of say a mini roller coaster ride. A few hills ups and downs but nothing as steep as the first bit. I think Melody is right...you might gain approx 150m elevation. I did however take a few breaks through it, as I felt a little like a pack horse with my 55l. :)
As Melody said the creek crossing is frozen. It was extremely slippery but it's a short bit and as the weather warms up this will soon disappear. It warms quickly in this valley.
Once you near the end of the staircase you'll hit a junction. Venture to the right. It's a very short jaunt which leads you to some pretty cool pictographs. You can view them all along the rock wall. Some are hard to see as they are starting to fade away but I'm told you can research them in a well written book about this area. It maybe helpful if you're interested in a bit of history.
As we continued on, we also explored a little rock cave. Also hiding pictographs. There's a trail that takes another route along the river leading to the right. The cave is nearing the beginning of the boulder field. It's hard to explain :) But...it was pretty cool! The trail does reconnect to the main one.
It was pretty quiet on the trail Friday. Wasn't till today we started to see a few venture out. Rained a little on the way up but we were rewarded today with a little sun.
I was surprised today. When placing Zeus' pack on him I noticed something strange on his head. It took a bit for us to extract it but...super yucky! A large tick! Due to the yellowish dark color we feel it had been on his head for a while. I'm guessing he picked it up on Raven Bluff. I had his shots recently updated, including the one for lime disease. Very glad I did this. I'm also going to pick up one of the tick tools for this business. I'll post a pic for you to shiver at also :)
I feel this is a great place for people to begin their first backpacking journies. Lots of camp opportunities along the way if you tire and pretty easy terrian. My Garmin indicated we ganied 333m total to get to Teepee camp and only 162m return. Not bad.
This area seems very well respected. No garbage or dog poop. The pictographs are not defaced in any way. Love it. Leave no trace :)
All and all it was a super first trip. Not bad weather...good company and I survived! Lol
Ok...so Melody...where's the next one!? :)
Happy trails :)
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