May 30, 2016 - Deer Camp to Deer Camp Trail Head

Title: May 30, 2016 - Deer Camp to Deer Camp Trail Head
Hike Info : Description :  Menu :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Deer Camp

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Unnamed, east of Deer Camp

Destination:None

Distance: 1.44 miles

Start Time:  6:42

End Time:   7:39

Travel Time: 0:57 (1.51 mph)

Moving Time: 0:54 (1.60 mph)

Elevation Rise: 593'

Maximum Elevation: 7,005'

Trail head: Deer Camp

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: Deer Camp Trail

Destination: Trailhead

Distance: 8.38 miles

Start Time:  9:50

End Time:    2:45

Travel Time: 4:55(2.33 mph)

Moving Time: 3:16 (2.57 mph)

Elevation Rise: 313'

Maximum Elevation: 6,616'

Description:
First one up again. After looking at the map, I decided that I would go for my morning walk back up the trail and see if I can reach the top of the ridge. It is a pretty good rise, while not pushing myself, I am not stopping very often either. I pass yesterday's turnaround point and keep on going, maybe about a quarter mile. Here I come out on an opening, but not the top and am able to look over the entire Alder Creek drainage. It is also at the 7,000' mark, making it a convenient turn around spot. So after gazing around and taking a few pictures, I started back. Going back to camp is a lot easier than it was coming up. So I made better time. 

Looking West from 7000'

Looking North from 7000'

We got a late start, but that is not too important as the walking will be quick. Why you might ask did we start back late? For no particular reason, just because we could.

Railroad Spike

As has been mentioned before, this trail is more for walking than gawking. So coming back did not bring anything new. Well there was two things actually which I did not see coming over. They both were old railroad spikes. The first was just laying their in the middle of the road. I am assuming somebody found it and put it there. The second was by Rail Creek.

Railroad Spike at Rail Creek

Michelle, Sherri and I stop for a rest, but Wayne has gone on ahead-he actually makes it to the car and then realizes he does not have the keys to it. After our rest, we continue on and try to identify various bushes. Having me as the "best" botanist is sort of like following Jack Sparrow's compass-sort of your guess is as good as mine type of identification.

We meet Wayne on his way back-he is doing double duty I guess, about 3/4 of a mile from the trailhead. A short time later, the car comes into view and we are able to take our packs off. All of us are in the mood for something to eat. El Cid is the stop followed by a Reimer's ice cream chaser. A good way to end the trip.

Data Tower on Henness Ridge

But this entry would not end appropriately if I did not address the question which we started this weekend with: What kinds of people are they? Both Sherri and I enjoyed Wayne and Michelle's company. We found out that we all had the same concerns about compatibility. These fears were unfounded. We enjoyed learning a bit more about Michelle and Wayne, trading stories, sharing tidbits of places we have been and the concerns we have for family. Two more people who were changed from strangers to humans.



Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella on Tortilla	El Cid and Reimer's	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, Scratch, GORP

Flowers and Plants

Oak or the poison kind?