Went on my first solo hammock trip. It was hot and trees were sparse but it turned out great!
Here are a few write-ups on the area if you're not familiar with it:
http://www.backpacker.com/may_1999_o...stinations/547
http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/wildView?WID=650
http://www.summitpost.org/charon-s-g...derness/274583
It started here on HF... I came across a post where the OP mentioned the difficulty in getting a back country camping pass (they only allow 10 people in at a time, three day permits) so figured I'd call and get on the list for later in the year. When I called, it turned out there were 3 available so I grabbed 2, one for me and the other for a buddy of mine. He ended up having to work on Saturday so couldn't make it but I didn't let that stop me!
I drove down on Friday afternoon and arrived around 4. The hike into the back country area is only a couple of miles but it's a pretty cool hike. Once back there, I started looking for a place to hang my hammock. The trees are pretty sparse and not ideal for hanging a hammock but with a little looking around I was able to find a spot on top of a hill surrounded by a few of the key peaks. I got all setup just in time to watch the sun set over the top of Sunset Peak.
The place is in a wildlife refuge with 500-600 Bison and some number of Texas Longhorns and numerous Elk and Deer. I had noticed Bison patties all around where I was setting up so figured I might have visitors show up in the night but other than a few snorts not to far in the distance and a pretty strong (close) Coyote serenade around midnight, I didn't see any animals to speak of up there.
I settled into my hammock (HH Expedition Zip) and started reading a book I ordered Wednesday. It showed up about 30 minutes before I left!
The book was perfect! : http://www.amazon.com/Allen-Mikes-Re.../dp/1560449128
Around 10, the full, "Honey Moon" popped up over a peak to the East. It was huge and really did have a honey color to it. Trippy!
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...science-space/
The next morning I setup on a rock outcropping looking out over the back country area to have coffee and a cheap convenience store cherry pie!
I then packed up and went for a hike.
I made my way out of the back country and took the Charon's Garden Trail to the South. A mile or so in I came to the Valley of Boulders. I saw a group of 3 guys who obviously were a little confused about the direction the trail was going but I followed them anyway and ended up on the wrong side of the boulders. Rather than go back around, I made my way down through the boulders and got back on the trail. At some point it loops back around and you can take a 'left' and head up through a valley following a small creek to go back out to the back country camping area.
I stopped half way up the mountain and had lunch creek side under the shade of some trees. It was getting to be around 94° F at that point so the shade/water/break was perfect.
After the lunch break I went on up the mountain. As I was getting closer to the back country camping area I started looking for a place to hang for the night. I came into a really cool little spot as I came up out of the creek and saw a couple of trees that would be perfect. I hooked it in that direction and just as I got close I realized there was a huge Bison bull lounging right between my trees!
So... I just went on up the mountain and let him have it.
I went on up and found a place to hang for the night, had dinner, read for a bit and crashed. Then hiked out and came home after breakfast.
It was a hot and spur of the moment trip but it felt great to get out!
DSC_5605.jpg DSC_5621.jpg DSC_5630.jpg DSC_5644.jpg DSC_5646.jpg DSC_5663.jpg DSC_5693.jpg DSC_5723.jpg DSC_5731.jpg DSC_5735.jpg DSC_5739.jpg DSC_5758.jpg DSC_5768.jpg DSC_5601.jpg DSC_5609.jpg
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by sargevining
Bookmarks