[Emily]:
We slept in and started hiking around 9:45am, cherishing our second to last day along the Bigfoot Trail. We walked through so much green and wildflowers along Robinson Creek, and then reached a saddle at 6000 feet with several old western junipers - our 29th conifer species along the Bigfoot Trail.
 |
| Camas! |
 |
| Our twenty ninth and final conifer along the BFT...western juniper. |
Although the notes from CCC folks in the jar at Utah’s Meadow alluded to recent trail work, we soon learned that the middle of the Yolla Bollys had not had much if any trail maintenance in quite awhile. The trail became very faint and traversed burn areas overgrown with whitethorn ceanothus - ouch! Fortunately, we were able to stick to the ridges to mostly follow the trail. We climbed up and around the east side of the Knob and soon found the actual trail again.
 |
| Though we are on the ridge, it’s not quite easy going. |
 |
| Hey its Mt. Linn / South Yolla Bolly Mtn and the end of the Bigfoot Trail - we’ll be there tomorrow! |
 |
| Steep talus descent to the ridge above the Fryingpan. |
Although ridge walking predominates in the Yolla Bollys, often you must descend a bit to find water. We had planned our last night at the Fryingpan, the headwaters of the Middle Fork Eel, the name of which was all over maps in bold font seeming to indicate a prominent camp.
 |
| The mighty Middle Fork Eel River |
However, the trail down to the site and the fryingpan-shaped flat spot at the headwaters was quite overgrown. Not exactly the most picturesque or comfortable camp spot for our last night on the trail - but a woodpecker was nearby doing construction and we actually stayed up long enough to see some stars. Amazing to be at the headwaters of the Middle Eel and only a day away from finishing the hike. Thoughts of returning to daily life post hike started to creep into my mind, usually kept at bay during the challenging days and content and restful evenings.
Total miles: 9.5
No comments:
Post a Comment