This past weekend, my Brother-in-law Jeremy, and I decided to hike the South Fork Yuba River Canyon via the South Yuba Trail. The total distance is 13 miles one way. We decided to take Two cars and shuttle trailheads, and this was our first one way hike.
I chose for us to leave Friday, after I got off work, catch some dinner (In-N-Out), and head to a campground conveniently located just next to the southern trailhead. We arrived around 8 o'clock, after dropping Jeremy's car off at the northern trailhead, and immediately set up camp.
I haven't yet recieved my Blackbird from Brandon, so I was forced to use my ENO Singlenest. I used a Heat Sheat with 3/16" poly rope and held in place using mini biners and a grommet kit. Really simple setup as you just slip the sheet to the rope tied to the gathered end of the hammock. We spent the evening drinking wine, and eating Jiffy Pop next to a nice fire.
The next morning we broke camp, ate, and drove the 500 feet to the parking lot and geared up. Jeremy is on the Left and that's your's truely on the right.
We immediately liked the trail for its moderate grade and the fact that it was in the shade. After about a mile, the trail began to rise in elevation, much to our dissapointment. We were eager to hike along the river, and we needed to refill our water after 3 miles.
After 4 miles, the trail broke through the shaded hillside to this vista along the river's rim. We hiked down to the river using a very steep spur trail, heavy on the switchbacks. We snacked on some pepperoni sticks and refilled our water. By this time of the day the temp was beggining to rise to 100 degrees, so I took a quick dip and was surprised by how refreshing it was.
After continuing on, the trail dipped in and out of shaded areas and along flower covered hillsides.
We chose to stop at a Miner's Claim after 7 miles and set up camp. After taking 5 minutes to hang, Jeremy remarked at the ease, and stated that his next purchase would be a Hammock. Thus, my first convert, and I never had to try to convince him.
We cooked Tacos with Spanish Rice for dinner.
And we laid in the sand drinking too much wine while enjoying a campfire and solving all the problems of the world.
The next day was an equally enjoyable sequal to the first. Hiking past perfectly formed swimming holes along the river, while still diipping in and out of heavily shaded forest. With the exception of the mosquitos, it was a very challenging, yet rewarding hike.
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