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| Backpack | 29.00 Miles |
3,700 AEG |
| | Backpack | 29.00 Miles | 3 Days | | |
| 3,700 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I left the Reavis TH at 9 am on January 14. I met two young bucks from Minnesota who were planning to hike to Reavis Falls and then to the Ranch. Sounded like a long day, but they were young and looked fit. The fact that they left the trailhead 15 minutes ahead of me and I had almost caught up to them at the Falls turnoff (about mile 3.1) led to me believe that they were in for a VERY long day.
A cold north wind was blowing which made for a chilly hike at times. I arrived at my campsite near the Fire Line Trail junction at about 2:30 pm. (10.76 miles, 2314 elev gain) I set up camp and had lost the sun by 4 pm and it got very damp and cold. My down bag got a bit wet which made for a chilly uncomfortable night. I observed that camp sites in the ranch orchard area seem to get sun later and earlier than where I camped.
The next day (Thursday 1-15), I hiked up to Circlestone (2.76 miles, 1314 elev gain. 1.5 hours)) and spent an hour or so investigating the site. Luckily, the ten person group (guided?) I saw the day before had gone up to Circlestone on Wednesday, so I had the place to myself.
Then I bushwhacked over to Mound Mountain (.75 miles, 314 elev gain (?), 45 minutes) and spend a half hour on the summit. After that, it was back to Circlestone and back to camp.
Thursday night was drier and warmer and I slept well after enjoying a campfire.
Friday I headed out at 9:30 am and took the scenic route by turning on to the Frog Tanks Trail to Plow Saddle Trail back to Reavis 109. I highly recommend this section of Frog Tanks: it mostly follows one contour and has lots of shade. Finding where Plow Saddle crossed the stream course took a couple tries, but once I found it, it was easy to follow. Plow Saddle Spring had a healthy trickle. The short, steep uphill section back to #109 wasn't too bad.
I encountered four backpackers and two deer hunters between Windy Pass and the trailhead which I reached a little before 3. (11 and a bit miles, ?? elev gain) A beautiful warm day, perfect for hiking. Glad I got out and back before the holiday weekend rush. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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| Posted from my turquoise Princess rotary dial phone. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
