Well, we made it! As I mentioned back in mid-June, Thompology and I made it out through the Caribou Wilderness. (Our route is highlighted in the picture.) Accompanied by my dad and Thompology’s cousin Jesse, we set out for several days of good times, and let me say — mission accomplished.
Just a few of the details: We established base camp at Echo Lake, which is not in the Wilderness area (lower right of photo.) We started the trail at the North end near Cone Lake, an elevation of 6,739 feet. We made our way south, stopping to camp for a night on the West side of Long lake, where we set up camp, took a dip, and were visited by an unruly attack deer. (We made it out alive.) The next morning, we took off and made our way to Hay Meadow on the South end of the trail, an elevation of 6483 feet.
Overall, the trail is roughly twelve miles if you don’t wander off the trail, get turned around, and start off in a wrong direction, which we did on several occastions. (We like to explore.) The total elevation change is less than 700 feet, so it’s a mild walk. Not too technical, and easy on the lungs and legs. The path is very well marked, but for some reason we still found a need to consult the map at least seventeen times in the six hours it took us to make it from one end to the other.
Upon our return to base camp, the resident Ranger found us and said the Cypress Lake trail was the one to check out next time we made the trip. “Some of the most gorgeous country.” Perhaps we will check it out. As for now, it’s time to settle back into the working world of daily life. Maybe let the bug bites heal, as well as the sunburn, and get ready for the next adventure. I think it rhymes with Portland.
Caribou Wilderness Camping/Backpacking was first posted to justinll.com on July 28, 2008.
You guys did this in mid June? I think this sounds like a hike for me. It doesn’t go over 1000feet in elevation and it only takes 6 hours. That’s freaking fan-tas-tic. One day me and my peeps will take a nice long hike. Ha, I said peeps.
Hey you forgot to mention that our dear attack left us with only 5 of 6 well functioning eyes! Nice summary. I can’t wait to make the video. I have way more material now.
Thompology is right? Once we realized that the most harmless of moderately-sized forest creatures (a deer) was unafraid of us and our fire, we figured we should build a larger fire, as the area is known for bears and mountain lions. This sent us wandering through the woods on a moonless night searching for fallen wood. On the walk back to the fire pit, dead branches in hand, I turned to pan the horizon for any eyes reflecting light, but kept walking: Bam! I stepped on a branch that flung up into my face like one of those old Tom and Jerry cartoons where Tom steps on a rake. It nailed me in the thigh, cheek, and eye. The rest of the trip I was walking around with only one good eye and the other continually leaking tears. Unpleasant, to say the least.