| | -
-
-
-
-
| |  |
|
2 |
-
| |  |
|
1 |
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
| | |
|
| Backpack | 9.90 Miles |
2,286 AEG |
| | Backpack | 9.90 Miles | 2 Days | | |
| 2,286 ft AEG | | 30 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | The workday over, I threw my gear in my truck and hit the road well after dark. A couple of hours and an elk near-miss later, I arrived at the Maxwell Trailhead at midnight. With headlamp on I located the trail and started down, reaching the bottom a short time later. A bit of searching and creek hopping netted a very nice campsite in the apparently deserted canyon. I set up my tent, hung my food, watched some creepy reflective eyes observing me, and attempted some star photos before crawling into my sleeping bag around 4 am, exhausted.
I encountered the first humans late Saturday morning, shortly after I awoke. I packed up, took a swim, then ate lunch on a big rock at my shady campsite. Anxious to explore and not waste the day, I began the trek down West Clear Creek. The next few hours were spent sloshing through the creek, swimming, squeezing through willow thickets, dodging poison ivy, and just plain enjoying my surroundings. Along the way I came across the petroglyph panel I had seen photos of. There were hundreds of them, many more than I'd expected. I spent quite awhile checking out the ancient artwork before continuing on.
Clouds, thunder and a brief downpour greeted me when I reached the foot of the Tramway Trail. The humidity was thick as I climbed the steep trail out of the canyon. Under threatening clouds, I made the road hike back to Maxwell Trailhead.
Deciding to spend a second night at WCC, I resupplied, then descended Maxwell again after watching sunset. In the approaching darkness I waded upstream to the confluence of Clover and Willow canyons, where I pitched my tent in an open, rocky area beneath towering sandstone cliffs. Following dinner and some reading by lantern light, I noticed reflective eyes watching me from the trees. The batteries died on my night vision scope before I could identify the creature. The evening was growing late, so I hung my food and retired for the night.
A bright and blazing hot tent woke me Sunday morning. I packed my gear, swam, picked up trash from a couple other campsites, then waded down West Clear Creek once again. A group of young people, one with a loud boombox, was hiking in as I hiked out on Maxwell: perfect timing. Back at the truck, I raided my ice chest, then drove east for more fun at Kinder Crossing.
Had a great time in this outstanding canyon wilderness, enjoying the beauty, making memories, and thoroughly cleansing away stress.  |
|
Wildflowers Observation Light
|
|
| _____________________
| "…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
