August 29, 2016 - Woodchuck Trail Head

Title:  August 29, 2016 - Woodchuck Trail Head
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Menu : Extra Photo's : 

Trail head:Woodchuck Creek

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail:Woodchuck Lake

Destination:Woodchuck Trail Head

Distance:  5.72  miles ¹

Start Time: 9:10

End Time:  13:10   

Travel Time:  4:00 1.43 mph)

Moving Time:  3:14  (1.77 mph)

Elevation Rise:  360'

Maximum Elevation: 8,076'

 ¹I was trying another setting on my GPS, but it did not work out as I thought it might. The setting was to record the tracks by time, rather than "Auto". Instead of the 5.72 miles which we got coming in, it was 2.95 miles.

Description:
Time moves slower on the trail. You measure your your progress in steps, in what you have seen, and the conversations your companions.

I got up around 6:10 this morning. I had my quiet time which I enjoyed. Afterwards, I took a peek at the night pictures from last night. Not bad.

Frankenfilter

Our filter has lasted 11 days or more accurately about 35 person days. Over a year ago, Andrea and I discussed adapting my Katedyn Base Camp system to using a Sawyer filter, Today I try it out for real. The result is satisfactory water flow. I call this adaptation: Frankenfilter. Let the world be on guard.

The trail

Yesterday we realized that we had miscalculated how much breakfast we brought. Today, we face the music for our error. My breakfast was peanut butter protein mix tortilla and Nutella-we seemed to have enough lunch, but not enough oatmeal. Rose gave Sherri some oatmeal. Thanks.

We three started out of camp around 9 o'clock.We probably should have gotten started a little earlier to beat the heat. But it should not be too bad as it is almost all downhill. We do start off pretty good.

Sherri waiting

But the strange thing about downhill is that it wears on you. There is the constant jarring of your body as those feet have a little extra to drop before hitting ground. Also the heat does work against us. Also since we know we are on the home stretch, this part of the trail just seems to go on forever. My mind starts to wonder, why didn't we make it to Blizzard Camp last night? (Probably because we would not have wanted to start this morning.)

Deer Rose

One of the things which happens with your mind is you start seeing optical illusions. Such as, is there antlers growing out of Rose's head? Strange thoughts which make the questions about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin seem strangely relevant. But those thoughts do not go very far and you get back to just appreciating your surroundings.

Blizzard camp

Now we descend to Woodchuck Creek. After crossing the creek-me with appropriate grace and the ladies with more caution, we go around a horseshoe turn n the trail. On the map, there is a historical marking saying that Blizzard Camp is to the east of the trail. But there is a small ridge up there which the women challenge me to find it. I do go up it while Sherri and Rose continue on. While there may be a place in an emergency to camp, there is nothing I would want to camp at. But on the west side of the trail, there is a nice camp spot. I think that is where Blizzard Camp is. Then it is off to catch up with them.

Trail Crew Remains

Creek Crossing

While in the the process of catching up, I come across some trail crew tools with some cut logs. Now I am wondering where the trail crew is. But I do not have to wonder to long-it is a good thing, you know how my mind wanders while I wonder. There is two men rebuilding a platform which I had noticed was falling down when we came across it last Thursday. Also they are helping Rose across that section. I stop and talk with them-surprise! They were wondering where we have been and how we liked things. One of the men is from North Fork.

After talking with them, it is time to play catch up again. But we are going down and my legs are long enough that I catch up soon enough. Now we are just making time to get back to the car at Woodchuck Trail Head, close to Wishon. Which we do. As we are going to the bathroom, another vehicle comes in. This group is picking up their other car as they walked from here up to Edison Lake. Not a bad jaunt.

We got in a little bit too late to go to a place in Shaver Lake which Rose wanted to go to. But we head on down to Prather and eat at Velasco's. Then it is time to get back to Rose's and to Fresno. The end of our five day trip. Enjoyable. We will go back up to Woodchuck again.

Trail Lesson:

Time moves slower on the trail. You measure your your progress in steps, in what you have seen, and the conversations your companions.


Background
About a month after doing this walk, Sherri and I were in Delilah Lookout. There was a report of a fire, about a mile east of Wishon Lake, around Woodchuck Creek. It was a small fire, but called the Woodchuck Fire. It was man-made and put out within a day.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal from Rose and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang. Also Peanut Butter and other misc items to make up for mis-calculation on oatmeal.	Velasco's in Prather		Clif Bar, GORP, Propel, CytoMax, Scrytch, Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's