May 31, 2013 - Deer Camp Loop and Return Trip

Title: May 31, 2013 - Deer Camp Loop and Return Trip Trail head: Alder Creek/Deer Camp Trail Junction Hike Info: Trail: Deer Camp Loop Destination:Return Trip Distance: 6.27 miles Travel Time: 3:28 (1.81 mph) Moving Time: 2:49 (2.22 mph) Elevation Rise: 1,050' Maximum Elevation: 6,611' Hike Info: Trail: Alder Creek Destination:Mosquito Creek Distance: 5.07 miles Travel Time: 2:27 (2.07 mph) Moving Time: 2:10 (2.34 mph) Elevation Rise: 252' Maximum Elevation: 6,084' Description:

Woke up at 6 and read. Sherri wakes up and I get out of bed around 6:40. The sun fakes like it is going to show up at our campsite soon, but it goes into hiding behind trees and a mound. Sherri waits until the sun comes out before getting up. It is colder than expected-but no ice on the water, from what I can see. But I did put on another heavy silk top. This and the layers are keeping me warm enough.

Went for an early morning stroll up the trail towards Deer Camp. Probably the round trip is around two miles plus. Took about an hour. It is a pleasant enough walk. Nothing spectacular or picture taking in itself. But there is something about getting up to meet the sun which is special. The shadows are deeper, the colors a bit more vibrant. Then the sun breaks through the trees and illuminates what you are seeing even better. Sort of gives you a touch of what Paul meant in Corinthians when he says now I see dimly, but I shall see clearly. Crossed Deer Creek which we stopped at last year. I do not think we made it to Deer Camp last year-did not make it on this walk either. But enjoyed it greatly. There is something about the vibrancy of a red snow plant poking its head above the green ground cover of plants to give you a feeling of a wakefulness, before rounding a corner and seeing our camp.

It is oatmeal for breakfast. We clean up the camp and fill Sherri's bladder with water-do not ponder that picture for long. We decide to go on a day hike up the trail we did not complete last night.  This leads up to Deer Camp Road, about two miles away. The road is no longer used, except as a hiking trail. We make pretty good time climbing up the slope, we come across two women hiking from Chiqipiun. They think they only have a mile or so to Mosquito Creek We have the sad duty to inform them that they have about six miles down to Mosquito Creek. Shortly afterwards, we reach the road. Seeing it is only 2.2 miles to Deer Camp, we decide to make a loop of it.

The road, or I should the trail as the road part is pretty much encroached upon, is pretty level. You get some views of the Alder and Derr Creek drain ages. If you are looking for views which knock your socks off, try some other trail. But the gentle rolling ness of the area is pleasant to look at. The trail crosses a few creeks before coming to Deer Camp.

Deer Camp is really a meadow in a small bowl. There are places which one can fit a tent in and be pretty comfortable. It will be interesting looking up its history, which we did when we got back home. Deer Camp used to be a conservation corp camp, where the kids-realy should say young adults (teens and those in their 20's. Shows how old I am getting)  would go out and do work or take care of fires in the area.  Sherri and I take a break here and munch some more on a Clif bar-seems like a theme. Fortunately it is shady as the sun is starting to be more intense.  It is now only a mile or so  back to camp, at least that is what the sign says. But my GPS says it is more like a mile and a half. So we walk the mile plus I walked this morning, so I am getting used to this trail.

After getting back to camp, we have lunch consisting of PB2 and crackers. All which I have to say is give me back my peanut butter and Nutella. We finish packing up and then sling the packs on our shoulders, starting our trip back to the car. It is warm. While we are making good time, you can tell that when we hit a spot of coolness, we walk better. 

Much of the way, till well pass Alder Falls, we  speculate where the road is on the other side of the creek. Is it where it looks like there is a cut? Or the big rock buttressing the river, is that where the bridge was? All speculation. We saw nothing definitive, except markings on the map. We did see a rail saying 4505 Illinois 1913. Sort of confirms the age of the road we are on.

At the end of the road, we take a break on a pile of ties, before we head down the last two miles of trail. Sherri notes that I am starting to nod off, so we had better get a moving. Nothing adventuresome. We get back to the car around 4, then head down the road. We stop in Wawona to score some Capture California points and make use of the bathroom. Then it is off to Mecca, better know as Todd's in Oakhurst where my garlic fries calls.  Then on to home, arriving at 7. Tired, aching, but feeling good about ourselves.