Following a post Grand Canyon dinner with my dad and brothers at Bunhuggers in Flagstaff, we went our separate ways. I decided I would backpack up the West Fork of Oak Creek that evening, as I needed someplace to stay the night, and I had my pack with me.

After escaping the Gumball 3000 traffic jam at Bunhuggers, and a brief visit to Peace Surplus, I arrived at the W. Fork trailhead at dusk, where I was informed that I needed to hike at least two miles up to be able to camp legally. I hiked in by moonlight and headlamp to where I figured it was legal to camp (my gps is worthless in narrow canyons), and, after some exploring, located a spot just big enough for my tent, hidden in the trees well away from the trail and the creek. I read Backpacker down by the creek for awhile, hung my food, then went to bed on my first solo backpacking trip, listening to croaking frogs in the canyon.

Monday morning I was up soon after dawn. I packed up, ate a cold breakfast, then set out to enjoy and photograph this spectacular place, now that I could see it. It sure was great to see this place again after an 11 year absence!

On the hike out, I passed about 40 people on the way in. Back at the entrance to the canyon, I noticed a sign saying that one must hike 6 miles up to camp. Oops! Well, ignorance was bliss. Considdering the horrendous crowds that this area receives, the camping restriction is probably a good thing.

Once out, it was down 89A again, past a neverending stream of Gumball 3000 cars, towards Sedona. Destination: Palatki Ruins, and more adventure!