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| Backpack | 18.70 Miles |
950 AEG |
| | Backpack | 18.70 Miles | 1 Day 6 Hrs | | |
| 950 ft AEG | | 42 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | It was supposed to be 118 in southwestern part of the state on the 4th of July week-end so I thought it would be a good time for my first non-local overnighter.I chose the west cabin loop because of the descriptions on HAZ,not too strenuous,very green and scenic and not over run. In fact I only passed 6 people on the trail. Not counting the occupied tent I passed (Ididn't get a head count)on 4th of July week-end! I camped at the Pinchon cabin TH friday night and saw 3 elk on the way in.Great way to start! I hit the Houston Bros. trail by 6 and passed the afore mentioned tent at Pinchon cabin, took some pics and moved on to aspen springs.Both springs were running well and the greenery was very refreshing coming from the desert. It seemed one meadow after another but each different. I saw another cow elk between the springs,on the other side of the stream. The trail was well covered in shade. I stopped in a small opening for some brunch and soaked my surroandings in for a bit. Approaching the Barber trail junction the trail changed from following the natural contour of the draw to crossing some small ridges.This portion of the trail surprised me how little it followed the contours, pretty much straight up and back down but it didn't last long before the forrest opened up with more ponderosa pines and a cleaner open floor. The hike along FR300 for 4.5 miles to connect to the Fred Haught trail was hot and dusty,lots of traffic,great view from the rim though, and one nice jeepster handed me an ice cold bottle of water as he passed by. I had to recant some of the things I had been thinking about the people buzzing up and down the road! I was getting tired so my plan was to water up at General Springs and just camp there even though it was early because clowds had been building and it looked like a pretty good chance of rain but the "spring" was hardly a mud seep. I was out of water, so I filtered and treated some even though it was still the color of a marine tee shirt. If I didn't find better water soon I would have to drink it. Thankfully Fred Haught spring had an ambundance of much better water and just in time cause the light shower I'd been enjoying was about to get serious. I just had time to put my tarp up in some trees just off the trail before it cut loose. One lightning stike was so close I could hear it sizzling through the clowds right before it cracked so loud I would have sworn it was right above me. After a couple hours the storm moved on but there was only about an hour of light left so I just made some supper and stayed there. Before I went to bed I saw a bull elk on the ridge across from me, he saw me about the same time and went crashing through the brush. Everything was heavy with dew the next morning,the trail was easy,quiet and peaceful. The last couple of miles the trail leaves the draw and crosses a few ridges and follows a forest road for a bit crossing bear canyon, then ascends one more hill to the Pinchon TH. I saw a cow and calf elk in this last stretch for a total of seven! I hope to get back in August to do the east loop. I had a great time.  |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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| I can't stay, so I have to keep moving; but my ambition, is to be there. |
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Route Editor
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