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| Backpack | 34.21 Miles |
2,339 AEG |
| | Backpack | 34.21 Miles | 14 Hrs 44 Mns | | 2.64 mph |
| 2,339 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | My plan was to backpack the BCT from the north to my house. I hiked a few miles Friday evening and camped above Russian Well. I set my alarm for 4:30 AM and was hiking at quarter past five. I was happy with that, as I seem to be slow breaking camp until I get in the swing of things.
I stopped at the corral at Russian Spring to check on the water. Trough is full and the float valve is working. I didn't get water because I had enough to get to the Agua Fria, which I knew would be flowing.
A bit before the Agua Fria, I mistakenly followed a cattle trail instead of the BCT. There were several cattle trails that made it easy to take a few missteps. Easy enough to get back on track; that was the only place where I had trouble following the trail.
When I reached the Agua Fria, I took my shoes off and waded across. The river really lived up to its name. I had about a liter and a third of water but wasn't sure where the next water would be, so filled up to my capacity, about 1 gallon (3 1-liter bottles and a 20oz bottle).
Not long after the Agua Fria, I scared up a small herd of javelina. I watched them for a few minutes, listening to their huffing.
After climbing up from the Agua Fria, you can look down on a ranch on the river. They're moving a lot of dirt around. Not sure what they're doing, but I listened to the machinery's backup beeps for quite a while.
I saw a deer crossed the trail in front of me. When I got to where it crossed, I spotted three deer on the other side of a draw.
I stopped at the Big Bug trailhead for a few minutes, making use of the facility. Big bug creek was flowing really well too. I took my shoes off and waded across. I suppose could have waited to get water here.
Shortly after leaving Big Bug trailhead, five mountain bikers passed me. They were the only people I saw on trail all day except for one other cyclist.
The trail follows roads for a bit when it reaches Antelope Creek Rd. A few more trail (confidence) signs would be nice along the roads. I had tracks on my GPSr so it wasn't an issue for me.
There's a broken windmill, tank, cattle tank, and corral above Dripping Spring. It would be nice if the water works were working, but they don't seem to be.
About 22 miles in, on the run-off to Government Springs, I started feeling a hot spot with both feet. Seemed strange for me as I haven't had any issues like that for years. At the corral, I stopped to get water. Cold, clear water is pouring into the trough nicely. I drank a bunch, filled up my water, and took my shoes and socks off. Everything looked fine. The cattle didn't like me sitting by the trough, especially one cow in particular. She just stood there glaring at me, so I left.
A sign said, heavy traffic next five miles, slow down. I didn't see anyone, but I did slow down to alleviate the hot spots with my feet. Since I haven't had issues with that for years, I didn't bring anything to treat blisters - call me an April Fool. A little before the Bumble Bee trailhead, I made arrangements for my daughter to pick me up at the Gloriana trailhead. I had no desire to hike 50 or 60 miles more on bad feet. I dumped a liter of water. I probably should have dumped two.
A few miles before the Gloriana trailhead, I saw a mountain biker. He asked if I was thru hiking the trail. I mentioned that was my plan but that I was bailing. We talked for a few minutes. He mentioned that the wildflowers were spectacular just ahead of me and asked how they were for me. They weren't much for me. There were a smattering of Dichelostemma capitatum and some others. One area had a bunch of Lupine. I only saw one small group of poppies. He was right, just around the bend from where we talked, the poppies were out in force. Unfortunately for me, it was twilight, so they were closing up, then it was dark, so I only saw them through the light of my headlamp. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Very good showing north of the Gloriana trailhead. |
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Russian Well |
76-100% full |
76-100% full |
| | | Trough is full and float valve is working | | _____________________
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