Las montañas de la trinidad

What an incredible wilderness area, those Trinity Alps.

We're so lucky, living here in southern Oregon. We have access to some of the best wilderness areas in the entire nation - all within several hours of driving.

I was lucky enough to have a bit of vacation. My good friends Torrey Johnson and Dashiel Bivens accompanied myself as branches of a guiding trio - providing wilderness experience for incoming High School sophomores. What a lovely bunch of boys. Serious though - we all had a blast, guides and the guided.

We left on Saturday 7/24 - early in the morning. We experienced a blown radiator cap on Dash's Honda soon after passing Etna, but we managed to make it to the TH in relatively short time! Bit of a later start for a long first day, but it worked great.

Snowslide Lake, with Little Caribou to the west

Our first night was spent in the Caribou Lake basin - Little and Big Caribou, Snowslide lake. We camped at the latter, and were eating dinner in the dark.

Photo by Dashiel Bivens

The next morning we were up and hiking south. We crossed the top of Sawtooth Ridge above Caribou Lake in the afternoon, and after enduring a tough evening downpour, and some awesome thunderstorm weather, we pitched a hasty camp on the northeast side of Emerald Lake. It lasted maybe 30 minutes to an hour.

Caribou Lake, below Sawtooth Ridge

Can you say ex-Glacier?
Photo by Dashiel Bivens

Our next day was a much-needed layover in the Emerald/Sapphire/Mirror valley. Relatively heavy packs, and general business of providing services beyond the personal level made for a strenuous couple days! We were all stoked though, and the boys and Torrey and Dash and I enjoyed a day hike through the valley to Sapphire and Mirror Lakes. I got whipped into shape quick. Mirror Lake was frigid. One of the coldest I've entered in a long time - but awesome. So clear afterward. The approach up the valley had some inspiring views. Waterfall after waterfall.

Sapphire Lake!

Photo by Dashiel Bivens

Waterfall below Mirror Lake

Sub 40 degree water

The third day was our longest in terms of mileage. We hiked south to Morris Meadows, and then up over a pass into the Deer Creek drainage. Nine and a half miles later, we were making camp in some large boulders beneath Luella Lake. Really awesome little secret spot.

Photo by Dashiel Bivens

Upper Deer Creek Drainage, looking southwest

In the morning we were up early, and hiking east to Granite Lake. I'd never been, and was very excited. The climb from the valley was short and intense. By one p.m. we were at the lake, and circumnavigating to find the ideal spot. The rocks on the southeast part of the lake provide awesome exposure to sun in the morning, and a cut in the amount of biting insects you encounter. Plus, the swimming is great. We enjoyed a leisurely day in the sun - tanning, swimming, replenishing our water supply. I was tempted to summit the ridge running the length of Granite Lake's basin, but decided against it as the sun fell lower and lower. I'll come back for it!

Granite Lake

We encountered rescue helicopters that day. A scout, and then a larger chopper an hour later - flying super low. I have yet to talk to the USFS about it, but I will - we were all curious as to what had occurred. Something requiring evacuation via aircraft! I'd never seen a helicopter fly so close to a ridgetop before.

We were up early again the next day, and found ourselves back up on the ridge summit by noon. Hiking north below Seven Up Peak, we enjoyed an awesome panorama of views throughout some of the best parts of the Wilderness. Sawtooth mountain, and the whole glacial shield-like formation of the ridges adjacent to it are so awesome from a distance. I love it.



We took a late lunch, and instead of descending into Bowerman meadows, cut cross-country to Horseshoe Lake across a ridge and a small valley. This was an excellent decision, and it saved us about two and a half hours of grueling ascent in the late afternoon. It's pretty clear on a topo which way to do this cut - if you have a large group spread out in the meadow, it clearly sees a lot of traffic in this regard.

Our last two days were fairly laid-back. We enjoyed it immensely. Real vacation, with some serious wilderness. Both Horseshoe and Ward Lakes are a bit less cold than the rest. Ward's swimming isn't ideal, but Horseshoe has the best camp/swim/climb rock around, on the west side of the lake. Complete with bear-hang tree on site!

Somewhere between Horseshoe and Ward Lakes, my camera suffered a malfunction. I'll have to send it back to Canon to get the lense repaired after I return from the Sierra. Such is life with technology..

Photo by Dashiel Bivens

Ward Lake was the last day, and it was a great way to relax and exit the wilderness with calm and poise. I took a couple naps. We were on the road the following day by 1 pm - south to Weaverville for a stop at NAPA Auto (replacement radiator cap), and east to Redding.

Redding. *sigh*

I avoid this particular city like the plague, but our clients had specifically requested In-and-Out Burger. There is but one in the area. Luckily it was literally in, and then out.

We arrived home on Saturday the 31st, in the mid-evening.

I can't even capture the refreshing feeling I've had for the last couple days! Exiting the wilderness is hard for me in many ways - I often feel a disconnect from people around me, from myself, and sometimes my moods play havok. It's some type of post-wilderness depression. I don't know if I can really quantify this for you. No doubt it's been the same for this 8-day trip, but the Trinities always provide the most refreshing perspective, and they take care of you in ways that other mountains can't even compare with. I view the wilderness as a type of medicine, and this trip was so necessary for my mental stability! I wish photos could do such a beautiful place justice, but they never will.

Photo by Dashiel Bivens

I've felt so much more healthy and clear-headed as a result of this trip. The magic of the Trinity Alps truly goes much deeper than most really wish to attend.

Sapphire Lake

Panorama by Dashiel Bivens

What's the best part? The best part is that backpacking season is just beginning!

Go. Get it.

Snow coverage is still present, but it is all very doable. Even the Canyon Creek drainage is on-point right now. We crossed the Sawtooth Ridge above Caribou Lake without incident or trouble. We encountered a men's group (yup) who had high hopes of crossing from Mirror to Canyon Creek Lakes. I doubt they accomplished this, considering the types of gear they had brought, but it sounded like an awesome idea to me. If you're stoked on that sort of ultralight mountaineering, bring a pair of 4-6 point trekking crampons and a self arrest pole, and have at it. Woo!

Mosquitoes aren't so bad this year either. I've seen so, so much worse in the Trinity Alps. I mean, like to the point where even DEET doesn't do anything. It's not like that this year! Sure, bring a tent/mosquito net/etc - but strive to find sites that have minimal tree coverage above all, and exposure to wind - I slept out without tent, net, etc for five nights in a row without suffering at all - it's all in the site selection. Those bushes and trees provide mosquitoes with the elemental protection they need.

If you have any specific questions, need maps, or any type of help whatsoever - contact us at the store (541) 488-1202.

Alternatively, feel free to email Web Support

Thanks for reading, and namaste to you.

Hot, hot heat

Ooooer!

The heat's got us cookin' this week. It's supposed to be ninety-five degrees today? Chances of thunderstorms, some crazy evening clouds, and plenty of heat to keep you satisfied during the day. I was off in the relative cool of the fairy ponds yesterday evening - enjoying some relax time.

If I didn't have to be at work on weekdays, I'd be out at the coast right now though. Or on the river. Or i'd be up somewhere high, where it's windy (in theory).

I hope everyone had a grand Fourth of July. This weekend was supposed to be adventure weekend on Shasta - however my solo trip was eventually cancelled. In essence, I got persuaded to stick around for the festivities. I slept through the parade, which was wonderful, and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon of BBQ and brews.

Travis enjoyed a leisurely weekend as well - Saturday he rode the Salmon River Loop down in California - 100 miles, starting in Etna, over 10k of vertical! Absolutely beautiful country down there. I was stoked to hear that Travis and team were hitting upwards of 60 mph on the downhills. Get 'em boys.

And this week? Travis, Davi, Bryant, Sarah, Mike and myself have all been hard at work - advising, selling, organizing, consulting, and facilitating. My weekend starts tomorrow! I'm off to Shasta finally to climb Friday and Saturday - about time I made up for my slacking.

Also, I should note that a group of local climbers and myself are heading up to the Greensprings tonight, 6:30 p.m., to meet with some folks from the Mail Tribune - they're doing a story on local climbing. If anyone wants to join, please feel free. We're meeting at the shop, or you can meet at the crag any time after seven!



There will be plenty of adventure coming your way soon - throughout the end of July and most of August! The Trinity Alps, the Sierra Nevada, plenty of backcountry climbing locations, and some awesome road trippin'. Stay tuned - and enjoy the sunshine!

The Dance

Now we can finally do the dance!

What dance do you speak of?

The summer dance of course! The grill-is-fired-up and I just-picked-up-some of-that-new-Lagunitas-seasonal-release type of dance. Sort of like funk, but better.

Don't have your summer dance down pat? Or do you feel unsure as to what I'm talking about? I'm sorry, but I can't help you. Summer is a wild time of year - done differently by everyone.

Alright,

So I've noticed in the last two weeks that we're getting an increased amount of inquiries with regards to backpacking in the Marble Mountains Wilderness and Trinity Alps Wilderness. It's definitely that time of year now, but we've got an interesting twist this season that I think everyone should be aware of!

I'd save packing through both Wilderness areas until August and September. Don't get me wrong - they're my favorite areas on almost the entire west coast, with the exception of the Sierra Nevada - but with 140% of normal snowpack this season, most of that extra falling very late, both the bugs and snow are going to be very thick for a while yet. Snow levels are still around 5,000 feet in some areas, meaning that the Forest Service trail crews still have some work to do. I don't know, has anyone else ever been to the Trinity Alps in July? The swarm of biting insects is enough to make it miserable in the evenings. With this much snow, we're not going to be able to climb high enough to escape the bugs until August!

If it were me, I'd pick the Rogue River trail or a Lost Coast trip to tide over the backpacking desire until August/September. The Kalmiopsis Wilderness is also a lovely choice, though the concentration of poison oak is very high. If anyone has any specific questions about any of these locations, come in to the store and pick our brains. They all pretty much allow easy access to water to beat the heat, but with no worries about full Gore-Tex boots and gaiters on a hot day!

Anyways, that's my two cents.

I was at the coast this weekend, as well as the Illinois river, and that water feels great. We're gonna have clear, hot weather all week, and great flow all-around - it's the perfect week for boating or some time at the beach, and also the best week for kicking back with friends on these late evenings. Longest day of the year was the 21st, so don't waste any time!

Have a nice week folks.