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.