| | -
-
-
-
-
-
-
| |  |
|
1 |
-
| 1 label |  |
|
1 |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 24.00 Miles |
1,600 AEG |
| | Hiking | 24.00 Miles | | | |
| 1,600 ft AEG | | 18 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Red Creek - Tolkien Camp
After camping and hiking Red Creek last month, Mary Jo and some friends really wanted to experience Red Creek. I needed a camping trip to shake down some preps for an upcoming 12-day Grand Canyon raft trip. So the 4 of us headed out with 2 dogs and 2 trucks full of camping gear. Its about 35 miles after you leave pavement coming up through Seven Springs. The last couple of miles are pretty bumpy and the last couple hundred yards are really fun. But the friends did a great job of maneuvering the bad spots.
Camp went up quick enough. Secured enough firewood for the whole camp from some dead trees nearby and their chainsaw. Had some time to explore a little around the trailhead as well as relax and catch up over a few beers. Steaks, sweet potatoes and veggies grilled over the fire made for a great dinner.
Slept well but there was a very very loud crash in the middle of the night. Later we discovered a large live cottonwood about 200 feet away toppled across the creek. The sun rises a bit earlier these days. I could hear rustling around the kitchen, but that was ignored easily enough. However, Bear, the friend's 1 year old Border Collie considers me his favorite stick thrower. So pretty soon, stick in mouth, Bear was bumping against my sleeping bag wondering how I could be so still when his latest favorite stick needed throwing. At least Bear's owners had the coffee pot going and had rekindled the fire from last night's ashes. I seriously tried to put the stick in orbit after a few throws, but it kept coming back with a dog attached. Love that dog, even more after about 8'ish and a second cup of coffee.
With a great breakfast of quiche Mary Jo had cooked ahead of time (warmed over the fire) and bagels and a lot more coffee, we all set off down Red Creek towards the Verde. This is a gorgeous hike and everyone was enjoying themselves. I love the ancient trees along the creek with huge exposed tangles of roots. I always expect some mythical creature to emerge and demand to know why we are invading his territory. There are bright sunny places and deeply shaded dark places along the Red. Somehow it always seems to have this Tolkienesque quality to me. I found myself silently reciting a favorite verse from The Fellowship of the Ring:
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
Little things along the hike and at the camp kept bringing me back to that verse. Mary Jo has a habit of naming our camps, so soon this became Tolkien Camp.
We visited Red Creek International Airport, but no flights out today. There was a suspicious 777 parked near the end of the runway. Not sure what that was all about.
Had lunch at the confluence with the Verde. There is an old picnic table there and great views of the River. Unfortunately some inconsiderate off roaders had left a bunch of garbage and other disgusting things. We'd seen fresh tracks in and out on the jeep trail that runs in and along the Red on the hike in. Karma is a wonderful thing. We'd noticed a rock with a nice strike mark from what was probably a differential and a big streak of oil trailing outbound. Pack it in. Pack it out. Be respectful. It might keep your gears turning.
Dinner was hosted by the friends -- some great Polish sausages grilled on the fire with braised cabbage. The Hobbits never had it so good. And no falling trees disturbed our sleep.
While the hike down the Red is amazing, I really love the hike up the Red. I'd saved that for our last day. Deep groves of river trees, waterfalls, caves, fern draped seeps in cliff sides, ancient cottonwoods and sycamores, and interesting geology had my group in awe and singing praises of the Red all morning.
Too soon it was time to pack up camp and depart my Tolkien fantasy along the Red for the uncivilization of reality. I swear I spotted Frodo and Gandalf ambling along in my rear view mirror.
Note: Additional photos can be found at https://plus.google.com/photos/107249444031230424173/albums/5997917360885705089 |
| _____________________
All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
