Overnighter to Hidden Lakes

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10-10-2011, 21:40
KSC

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Overnighter to Hidden Lakes

Last Saturday I hiked into Hidden Lakes in the Ruby Mountains for an overnight stay. It had snowed the day before, but I thought I would encounter a couple of inches that would be melted by the end of the day. Much to my suprise there was 8 to 10 inches at the lake (9,500 ft.) and no sign of it going away.

I haven't winter camped in my hammock yet so this was the test run. Most people would want to try this closer to home or a vehicle, but I figured I was only in 4.5 miles and I could walk out if necessary. I had my Flame thrower and Jerry Chair UQ and my leighlo's TQ. I wore my medium weight long underwear, wool socks, a hat and a fleece pull over. The only thing that got cold was my feet. I needed a little more than my Therm-A-Rest Lite Seat under my feet. The wind didn't blow too hard which helped.

The night was clear and cool (21*F) with a big bright moon. With all the snow stuck to the trees it was beautiful. I wished I had taken the time to take a picture. I was too warm in my hammock to get up and get my camera. I was just laying there listening to the coyotes until I fell asleep.

I have a few pictures, but I wished I would have taken more. I need to get a better foot pad and try this again. I will experiment in colder weather closer to home to make sure it's going to work.
10-10-2011, 21:49
Brian in so cal

Great pics,thanks for sharing.
10-10-2011, 21:55
JayS

That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing. What a "test run"!
10-10-2011, 22:06
sweetbabyd

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSC

Last Saturday I hiked into Hidden Lakes in the Ruby Mountains for an overnight stay. It had snowed the day before, but I thought I would encounter a couple of inches that would be melted by the end of the day. Much to my suprise there was 8 to 10 inches at the lake (9,500 ft.) and no sign of it going away.

I haven't winter camped in my hammock yet so this was the test run. Most people would want to try this closer to home or a vehicle, but I figured I was only in 4.5 miles and I could walk out if necessary. I had my Flame thrower and Jerry Chair UQ and my leighlo's TQ. I wore my medium weight long underwear, wool socks, a hat and a fleece pull over. The only thing that got cold was my feet. I needed a little more than my Therm-A-Rest Lite Seat under my feet. The wind didn't blow too hard which helped.

The night was clear and cool (21*F) with a big bright moon. With all the snow stuck to the trees it was beautiful. I wished I had taken the time to take a picture. I was too warm in my hammock to get up and get my camera. I was just laying there listening to the coyotes until I fell asleep.

I have a few pictures, but I wished I would have taken more. I need to get a better foot pad and try this again. I will experiment in colder weather closer to home to make sure it's going to work.

i wish you had taken more too - thanks for posting!
10-10-2011, 22:19
Shug

Very nice!
Try hanging your jacket or vest (if you have them in your kit) around your foot-end. Works wonders.
Shug
10-10-2011, 22:21
pgibson

Outstanding KSC! Looks like you got more snow than we did up here. :thumbup:
10-10-2011, 23:07
Veto 65

At 21° and all that got cold was your feet then all you need is a little tweeking. Great pictures of the wind blown snow and thanks for the trip report.
10-11-2011, 00:13
Debi Jaytee

wow! just wow!
10-11-2011, 00:21
Bradley

Most excellent . . .

. . . just lookin' at your photos made me feel 20 years younger.

Not sure why.

Thanks for posting.
It is encouraging.
10-11-2011, 04:27
Bruciehi5

Hey there KSC,

I don’t blame you one little bit for not wanting to get out of your hammock to get the camera. I have trouble doing that when it’s 50F! I wouldn’t have gotten out of the car! lol It’s amazing how the trees can have all that ice on them and not fall over. VERY nice photos! The deep blue sky with the white hill is a great mix.
10-11-2011, 04:42
MuseJr

KSC, That is some good stuff. It looks like winter is there!!! Ice on the pond makes it tough get water though...;) Glad you had a good test and I am looking forward to giving it go in the Ruby's this spring.
10-11-2011, 06:09
KSC

Thanks for all your kind words everyone. Taking beautiful pictures is easy if you have the right scenery.
10-11-2011, 06:11
KSC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shug

Very nice!
Try hanging your jacket or vest (if you have them in your kit) around your foot-end. Works wonders.
Shug

I didn't take my down jacket and I wished I had. I will try that next time I go along with have a little something better to put under my feet.
10-11-2011, 06:14
KSC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruciehi5

Hey there KSC,

I don’t blame you one little bit for not wanting to get out of your hammock to get the camera. I have trouble doing that when it’s 50F! I wouldn’t have gotten out of the car! lol It’s amazing how the trees can have all that ice on them and not fall over. VERY nice photos! The deep blue sky with the white hill is a great mix.

A little bit of the snow would fall off through out the night and I could hear it hitting my tarp. There was no big chunks that came down thank goodness. If it had warmed up or the wind had blown hard all the snow would come off.
10-11-2011, 06:16
KSC

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuseJr

KSC, That is some good stuff. It looks like winter is there!!! Ice on the pond makes it tough get water though...;) Glad you had a good test and I am looking forward to giving it go in the Ruby's this spring.

Looking forward to you hiking with me next season. I was catching 12" rainbow out of these lakes last year. I didn't try it this time.

One of these lakes was frozen and the other was not. I think the deeper lake takes longer to freeze.
10-11-2011, 06:46
bloomgorge

Just isn't fair.
10-11-2011, 07:54
BillyBob58

Beautiful trip, KSC! Thanks for posting!
10-11-2011, 08:10
Les Rust

Great pics. Sounds like you're in good shape for winter hanging. thanks for sharing.
10-11-2011, 08:27
Pipsissewa

W:boggle:W!!!
10-12-2011, 18:16
jbehun

Always smooth... ksc!
10-12-2011, 18:57
pgibson

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbehun

Always smooth... ksc!

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling.gif

That's hilarious J. :D

KSC, I found some big scrap pieces of both 1/4 and 3/8 foam that I have used for my foot pads. The 1/4 is good to about 40 on it's own, and lower with some down socks, the 3/8 should take you to 15-20 on it's own. I'll try and box up a pad in each to send down in the next few days. At very least they would be a big boost with your therma-pad.
10-12-2011, 19:05
KSC

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgibson

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling.gif

That's hilarious J. :D

KSC, I found some big scrap pieces of both 1/4 and 3/8 foam that I have used for my foot pads. The 1/4 is good to about 40 on it's own, and lower with some down socks, the 3/8 should take you to 15-20 on it's own. I'll try and box up a pad in each to send down in the next few days. At very least they would be a big boost with your therma-pad.

Thanks Paul I appreciate that!
10-12-2011, 19:24
carolinasbackpacker

beautiful!
10-12-2011, 19:32
Shewie

Stunning piccies

That's just got me pepped up for some winter camping, bring on the snow
10-13-2011, 16:50
jbehun

[QUOTE=pgibson;566953]http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling.gif

That's hilarious J. :D

I didn't think you would remember that!! but you made me laugh!!
10-13-2011, 17:10
pgibson

[quote=jbehun;567644]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgibson

http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/laughing/rolling.gif

That's hilarious J. :D

I didn't think you would remember that!! but you made me laugh!!

I dearly hope that the memory's from that trip never fade. :D