Seems to be a trend the last couple of days to post some great pictures. Here is a small selection of this past weekend's (Fri-Sun) hiking and camping trip.

Friday morning cloud, rain mixed with snow sleet at 4800'


Even with the clouds, the views were still good!




Further up, the clouds were slowing dissipating and the sun was slowly making an appearance.


Arrived at base camp for the weekend. It's only about 2100 feet here and much warmer.


A little practice with the firesteel for afternoon lunch and coffee.


Mixed feelings on a wood fire in such a pristine area. Since the fire ring was there, it was used otherwise we would of only used the MSR Pocket Rocket. As it turns out, the wind picked up significantly (50 mph gusts) and the fire was extinguished as I did not want to be held responsible for starting a forest fire...

This lake is used a power generating reservoir and the land was flooded years ago so there is no shortage trees that were cut and left before the lake was filled. With the downed wood so dry, it was easy to cut with the bow saw.


Backyard view from the lake



Above the lake and headed for a hike.

MSR Pocket Rocket cooking up parts of our dinner. The Primus Litech kettle is great for it's versatility.





Waterfalls a short distance away. The lake water this time of year is full of sediment and very hard to filter. Luckily these creeks are a much better source of water and it was still treated with Micropur tablets though.


On the otherhand, not all creek water is healthy to drink. This creek water was extremely dirty and would not be worth the effort to attempt to filter by various means.


Heavy summer snow melt from the nearby high country makes for hideously dangerous creek flow. This water is some of the fastest and most voltile I have seen on a waterway this size and the noise of this moving water was unbearable after a few minutes. Anyone attempting to cross at or anywhere near this particular area would be on a suicide mission.

We had originally setup a new camp about 50' from here but after a couple of hours, moved back about another 100' feet into the trees and although it was still somewhat loud, it was soothing sound to fall asleep to.



This area in the early to mid 1900's was a hotbed of gold and forestry activity. Those halcyon days are long past however there are plenty of old abandoned houses to explore. This particular house is brandishing a more recent paint job of which the local story goes (and depends on who you talk to) was a prank for unkown reasons. The side and back of the house still sport more older and mundane colors.


In many aspects, the interior of the home while trashed, still tells a story and one can only imagine who once lived here and what ever happened to them once they abandoned the house. I really like that old stove.



The views and scenary of this area is nothing short of stunning and makes it very difficult to have to eventually leave...


Horseshoe Canyon. You can actually hike down into there. We did not have time this trip around.


Traveling in this region can have it's share of potential hazards. If this road gets blocked, you are stuck and you better be fully prepared and equipped for the duration as there is no other way out until the road is cleared or repaired.

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing them. (Dad gum I need to get out.)

Spectacular!

That is really nice! Thanks.

NICE!! Thanks for fueling the daydreams!

Good stuff!
Thanks for sharing.

HJ