Since my last posting, my Grand Canyon trip is officially off. It seems that the system is slightly rigged. Oh well, I'll try again next year.
In the meantime, I've decided to get on with my training and try to get my pack tuned just the way I like it. Who knows? I might even knock out some of the PCT this summer.
Saturday a friend and I set out on an overnight camp and shake down hike. We hiked some of this particular trail earlier in the year and ended up bailing because the temperature dropped well below what we anticipated. Noble Canyon Trail is located in Cleveland National Forrest. It's popular among mountain bikers, horse riders and hikers. The trailhead starts off Pine Creek Road and runs 10 miles to Sunrise Highway and the Pacific Crest Trail.
We didn't reach the trailhead until after 11:00 on Saturday morning and it was already 80°. Carrying over 4L of water and the heat didn't make the hike easy at all. About 2.5miles (2hrs) in we found our campground. We decided to carry on and come back at the end of the day. The next 2.5 miles weren't much easier as we crossed Pine Creek, we decided to turn back to camp. We made our way back much faster, as most of it was downhill.
When we arrived at the meadow, the gnats and flies were almost unbearable. Luckily, there are not a lot of mosquitoes in Southern California. We quickly pitched our tents to escape the swarming insects, beneath one of the largest oak trees I have ever seen. We took time to relax and enjoy the cool breeze while slinging insults at the flying pests from behind our bug nets.
Once the sun started to creep behind the horizon, we came out of our tents and cooked dinner. Since the sun was almost out of sight, the bats came out and began to ravage the pests that had been bothering us earlier. Our dinner was great after a long day of hiking up and down hills and through the canyon. We sat around talking, watching the bats and enjoying the full moon.
The night was long and my air pad, while light weight, did little to provide support and comfort. It was definitely better than just sleeping on the ground but not by much. The temp dropped down into the 40's but this time we were prepared. Despite tossing and turning, I actually managed a few bouts of sleep because the area was so quiet.
We got up the next morning and made the hike back to the trailhead in half the time it had taken us the previous day.
Despite having a rough time, we still enjoyed the trip and will definitely be going back. This would be a very good training loop. Lessons learned? Bring more water and less gear. Workout and walk every day. Get better about sitting when stopping on the trail and drying my feet out. Bring the hammock; the trees in this area are plentiful.
In the meantime, I've decided to get on with my training and try to get my pack tuned just the way I like it. Who knows? I might even knock out some of the PCT this summer.
Saturday a friend and I set out on an overnight camp and shake down hike. We hiked some of this particular trail earlier in the year and ended up bailing because the temperature dropped well below what we anticipated. Noble Canyon Trail is located in Cleveland National Forrest. It's popular among mountain bikers, horse riders and hikers. The trailhead starts off Pine Creek Road and runs 10 miles to Sunrise Highway and the Pacific Crest Trail.
We didn't reach the trailhead until after 11:00 on Saturday morning and it was already 80°. Carrying over 4L of water and the heat didn't make the hike easy at all. About 2.5miles (2hrs) in we found our campground. We decided to carry on and come back at the end of the day. The next 2.5 miles weren't much easier as we crossed Pine Creek, we decided to turn back to camp. We made our way back much faster, as most of it was downhill.
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| Our Campsite |
Once the sun started to creep behind the horizon, we came out of our tents and cooked dinner. Since the sun was almost out of sight, the bats came out and began to ravage the pests that had been bothering us earlier. Our dinner was great after a long day of hiking up and down hills and through the canyon. We sat around talking, watching the bats and enjoying the full moon.
The night was long and my air pad, while light weight, did little to provide support and comfort. It was definitely better than just sleeping on the ground but not by much. The temp dropped down into the 40's but this time we were prepared. Despite tossing and turning, I actually managed a few bouts of sleep because the area was so quiet.
We got up the next morning and made the hike back to the trailhead in half the time it had taken us the previous day.
Despite having a rough time, we still enjoyed the trip and will definitely be going back. This would be a very good training loop. Lessons learned? Bring more water and less gear. Workout and walk every day. Get better about sitting when stopping on the trail and drying my feet out. Bring the hammock; the trees in this area are plentiful.
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