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| Backpack | 6.80 Miles |
1,300 AEG |
| | Backpack | 6.80 Miles | | | |
| 1,300 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Headed out on Saturday before sunrise for the drive up north to the Blue Range Primitive Area for a two-day backpacking trip. The planned loop would take us from Lanphier to Largo Canyon, down to Bear Valley for the night, then up Cow Flat to Lanphier Canyon, back out. While it did not end up that way, we were still able to backpack, and some lessons were learned for future visits. Arrived at the Blue Camp TH at 10 am, and it was already 85 degrees even at 5,700 feet. The Lanphier Canyon portion was only a half-mile, 200-foot climb, but the area was desert scrub brush, and the heat started immediately. We crossed the creek and soaked our towels in the cool creek. The next section was a 200-foot climb over a ridge that took us down into Largo Canyon, where the creek was completely dry. A couple of miles into Largo Canyon with the heat kicking my pumpkin at 90+ degrees and a bum ankle that has been giving me an issue the past couple of weeks, there was no way I was going to make it to Bear Valley. We made a decision to push on to Duth Oven Spring and camp there for the night. Dutch Oven Spring trough had some nice, clear flowing water. There was evidence that cows had been in the area, but it had been some time, so the water was good to filter and tasted great. We set up camp about 50 yards away and explored the area, hiking up to the Telephone Ridge junction. Spent some time looking for Maple Spring but did not find even a drop of water. After getting back to camp, we made dinner and watched as the deer and birds came to drink and play at the spring. It was a warm night, as there was some cloud cover to keep some of the heat in, so sleeping was intermittent. Got up at sunrise, had breakfast, packed up camp, and headed out. It was already warm out, and by the time we got back to the car (10 am), it was already nearly 90. The number one thing I learned is that I am a much better hiker than backpacker  ; carrying a 35-40 pound pack up a steep canyon in 90 degrees made me extremely slow and was unpleasant. And with that, I need to avoid anything over 80-85 degrees, which is pretty difficult in the summer. With a good daylight left, we explored a couple of other THs down by the river for future events before heading back to the land of the fireball. Even though the hike did not go as planned, it was still great to get out into the Blue for a couple of days, coming across tons of Deer and Elk. |
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Dutch Oven Spring |
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| | | Clear flowing water that tasted great. There are cow patties there, but they are pretty old. | | _____________________
Hiking is just walking where it’s okay to pee.  |
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