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| Hiking | 20.75 Miles |
2,858 AEG |
| | Hiking | 20.75 Miles | 13 Hrs 6 Mns | | 1.72 mph |
| 2,858 ft AEG | 1 Hour 2 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Another Lasso Loop Death March! I did this one last year with Wally and Chris, but Jason really wanted to do this and circumstances out of his control (COVID, mostly) prevented him from doing.
We decided to remedy that this weekend. Looking at the weather, I was fully expecting to get rain for most of the hike. I came prepared with all the proper gear, but if it was pouring when we hit the Miners Needle saddle, I was prepared to call it day and try again.
Much to our surprise (and delight), the rain turned into snow before we hit the Coffee Flats/Dutchman junction. We could see snow already sticking on the higher areas. So, there was no doubt we would press forward.
From the base of Miners Needle, down Whiskey Springs and up Red Tanks, it was on and off snow/sleet. The top section of Whiskey Springs had 2-4 inches of snow. It lightened up as we made it down to the Red Tanks Trail/La Barge Canyon, but it was still trying to snow.
The canyon was the usual amazingness. Once we emerged and made it past the Hoolie-Bacon/Red Tanks junction, the unclear trail and heavy flow from the creek made going slow. It was hard to follow the trail in through here. The higher we climbed up, the more snow (and snow showers) there were. The Red Tanks divide was a winter wonderland.
A group of speed hikers (trail runners?) went past us right before the divide. They all had running shorts and shoes and small hydropacks. They were moving way faster than Jason and I.
As we descended the Red Tanks roller coast, the weather got warmer and the snow and snow/rain diminished. When we finally made it to Red Tanks Canyon, the area was clear of snow, but the water in the creek was really flowing.
It was a relief to make to Coffee Flats, but it also meant we had 5-6 creek crossings to manage. We were already soaked from the snow and rains we experienced earlier. I forgot how much “up” Coffee Flats has going towards the Dutchman trail. We could both feel the mileage at this point.
We made it back to the Dutchman/Coffee Flats junction right before sunset. It was clear of snow and actually very pleasant. A big difference from the “blizzard” we hiked through earlier in the day.
I could feel every mile with each step, but we made it back to the trailhead and accomplished our goal. This was Jason’s first time along the Red Tanks Trail and the snow made it even better for sure. A long, tough hike, but we were so lucky to be treated to the snow for sure. |
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"Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee." –Demetri Martin
instagram: @andydilling |
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