Tour 6

Day 1.
Had to wake up at an ungodly hour to be at the station by 630. Gear packed and we drove 2 hours to meet the horse packers at Buttermilk Creek (I napped). It was so nice not to carry our packs up and over the pass. The hike itself was rather boring- not pretty views or interesting things to see. But it was semi redeemed by a few huckleberries along the trail.

The actual pass is pumice scree and a great view across the valley. At the top Kenny says "It's choose your own path", and proceeds to skid straight down the slope.

We are camping at Star Lake (it should be called a pond). It's in a pretty meadow area.

Tonight we feasted. Because we were being horse packed in the first 6 miles we brought along a fancy dinner: steak fajitas w/ rice and peppers and fresh veggies. Corn on the cob and potatoes steamed in foil over the fire. It was an epic meal, and it got even better w/ dessert. Halden had told us about something called a banana boat on our last trip and it made us all drool, so we had them tonight and they are melty goodness: a split banana, butterscotch and chocolate chips, nuts and marshmallows all wrapped up in foil and melted on the coals. Joyness. Round 2 we made them flambe.. (we've decided our word for this trip is epic, because so far everything is).

Cooking things on the fire can be exciting, especially when a banana boat is involved and someone is poking the fire. Halden warned them 'don't make Natalie cry or a black cloud will follow us' as I was very anxious about wood being pushed around and I almost lost a tinfoil wrap of goodness. (but I was happy in the end).

My newest toy is a Big Agnes sleeping pad. (I gave Kristian my therma rest and I think she is now converted to air). 2.5 inches of air, and it packs down to the size of a football. I am going to sleep so well. Food coma and comfy mattress- someone's sleeping in tomorrow.

Day 2.
We all slept in this morning- had to drag myself away from my mattress. We had another feast for breakfast- biscuits w/ sausage gravy. Ate so much we became lethargic and layed around camp the rest of the morning reading books. (I love the fact that we eat well after having good food all weekend, and before we're really starving yet).

In the afternoon Kristian and I went on a hike w/ tools. We saw a lot of marmots everywhere. Our destination was Surprise Lake, but it never surprised us. Somehow, we lost the trail. One moment we were on it, and then it disappeared. We oriented ourselves on the map and tried to hike over a ridge in hopes to meet up w/ the trail again. No luck. On the bright side we summited Baldy Mountain. Unintentionally. We figured if we got up there, the lake would be on the other side. I felt like a mountain goat as we clambered up and traversed the peak (surprisingly I only slipped once). We finally figured it had to be over 1 more ridge and we could see part of the trail below- but we were completely baffled at how we lost the trail in the first place, and why it didn't match up to the drawing on the map.

We stayed on the ridgetop that led over to the pass where we caught up w/ the trail and dropped back down to camp.- on the ridge we found a giant cairn, literally in the middle of nowhere w/ no trails around it.

Upon returning to camp we discovered from Kenny that the actual junction was marked and further down the trail and what we took must have been some unused path to a camp. Oh well. We went swimming in the pond and felt better about life.

Kenny went to climb a couple of peaks, but we stayed back, we had already climbed our peak for the day. He was our evening entertainment though- every once in a while he'd chuck big rocks off Star Peak and we'd cheer the rocks on hoping they'd hit the water- none did- the highest score was a 9. It was like having a fireworks display.

Finished off the evening playing cards (still haven't beaten Kristian at Egyptian Ratscrew). This time the guys won at cribbage- war is on. And we ate s'mores and popcorn- last night before we split down the North and South forks of the Summit Trail.

Day 3.
The mosquitoes made the morning very unenjoyable- so we packed up camp and left. On top of the pass again, we could see storm clouds brewing in the distance. Made it to the correct junction today, and as we were contemplating what to do next, a thunderstorm hit. We sat on our hard hats in the woods and waited it out. Second time this season a storm was directly above us. The thunder would boom, then echo thru all the valleys and canyons- it sounded like bombs were being dropped- and then it hailed.

The storm cleared for a bit so we set up camp where we were (we only moved 2 miles today). Then we went on a hike w/ tools to clear to where we'll camp tomorrow. In a heavily wooded area, we were surprised to find no work. We hiked to the Prince Creek shelter. It's a neat shelter- 3 walls, bunks and table still intact.

Just as we make it back to camp thunder rumbles again and another storm passes over. This time we hide out in our tents (the booms added dramatic effect to my book which has bombings in it). The ground was jumping w/ hail. I eventually dozed off- defense mechanism- can't be hurt if I'm asleep. The evening was quiet, but the clouds are still brewing. We're hoping for clear skies so we can swim in Surprise Lake when we finally find it.

Day 4.
We finally found work- 3 logs on the Surprise Lake trail. Got to the lake finally and it was drizzling. Of course by the time we climbed back up the ridge it was sunny and the lake looked real nice, and we were 2 miles away.

Packed up and moved camp to the Prince Creek shelter- no tent for me, I'm sleeping inside. Wiled away the afternoon reading, and daydreaming, and napping. I've already had to ration the pages in my book- I read too much the first 2 days, didn't expect so much down time. I'm definitely caught up on naps now.

Yet another thunderstorm rolled thru midafternoon. We watched it from our shelter, had a nice campfire and played our ghetto version of cribbage- I think it's the best way to play. Hopefully the storms are done w// us, and I hope to find something crafty to do like whittle. Eating to compensate for boredom is not a pastime I can indulge in our here (however much I might want to).

We have an entertaining time checking in on the radio. Every am and pm so they know we're alive. They have the hardest time understanding us- once again they think we're in 'French Creek' instead of 'Prince'- I don't think french creek even exists. We're in the woods, that's all that matters.

Day 5.
Every morning we play the game 'How much shit can I shove into my brain' (they double as our daypacks). Ready to go and after a few feet I realized I forgot to put on my boots.

Kristian had a pretty epic fall right in the middle of a creek we were crossing (I slipped on the way back, but I stayed standing and only soaked my boots. They will be fun to put on in the morning).
We got our quota of 3 logs. Hiked up a pass at the wilderness boundary. The meadows are marmot land- such bizarre land beavers. There should be a sign saying 'Here there be Marmots'. They are quite sneaky as they stand perfectly still on top of a boulder and stare at you.

We hiked up to Boiling Lake- after taking a mile and a half detour the wrong way at the junction. The water was nice, but the sun wouldn't stay out long enough, so no swimming. We were surprised to enjoy spending a nice break at the lake. Absolutely no mosquitoes.

We met some dirt bikers and some mountain bikers. It was a mind trip to be out of the wilderness, but still in the woods, and see people on vehicles.

The view from the top of the pass was amazing. It's neat to look at the landscape and say "there's the peak we climbed, and the ridge we clambered across, there's the pass we took yesterday, there's the valley we'll be in tomorrow.' These mountains aren't just a pretty view anymore, we've been in them and they're alive to us.

I set up my tent tonight after sleeping in the shelter last night. I heard a critter in there and was certain it was gnawing on my gear, and I definitely heard it mowing down on a bunk post. There's something strangely comforting about being enclosed in four walls. You might wake up to critters, but there's a thin fabric separating you instead of air, and that makes all the difference (they can't crawl over you then). (I also set up my tent in the middle of the trail again, it seems to be what I do best).

Day 6.
Moved camp once more. As we hiked we started to see a burn area, then we saw huckleberries lining the path, and then a bear ran into the woods and we knew we were home in Prince Creek.

Our campsite is perfect. Waterfalls w/ swimming holes nearby, huckleberries right outside my tent, sun shining thru the trees to dry our stuff, rocks by the waterfall to sunbathe on and huckleberries EVERWHERE you turn- life doesn't get much better than this.

I unintentionally found a swimming hole. I accidentally knocked my waterbottle while we were lying on the rocks and it went skittering down the boulders and into the creek. I scrambled after it and saw it was floating in an eddy. As I was trying to figure out how to get to it, my foot slipped on the rocks. All Kristian heard was a small scream and few minutes later I reappear on the rocks w/ my waterbottle in hand, soaking wet. We couldn't stop laughing. I had found a nice waterslide, got a bath, and rescued my waterbottle (which was floating right in front of me when I popped out of the water). Later on today when we finished work (which was brushing, I hate brushing. And we got a few logs- I was getting used to carrying the saw around as a shoulder ornament). I went swimming again, this time intentionally down my rock slide.

And I am in Huckleberry Heaven! There are absolutely everywhere and fill me with joy and sweet goodness.

Day 7.
We had huckleberries in our granola and I made huckleberry tea. We were gardening in the woods for the 1st half of the day. It wasn't so bad because we were mostly in the shade and every once in a while we'd pause and pick a few thimbleberries. I was so happy they were ripe.

We then trudged back up the mile and a half to our camp to a late lunch- it was a power walk. Headed straight for my waterslide, ate lunch, layed around in the sun for a while and felt a little better about life.

Our next mission was to clear the trail up to Cub Lake. It was painful. I was really tired after lunch for some reason & grumpy to find a big log to move when I had gambled on not bringing the saw, so I had to go back and get it. I think both of us had heat exhaustion. I was dying in my work clothes and was considering hiking naked, and I was annoyed for no reason.

1.5 miles, climbed 1500 ft. and we finally made it to the lake. I went straight in, and then stood chest deep in the lake for 20 minutes while we waited for the iodine to treat our water. Life was getting better, although now I am biased against the Cub Lake trail, but the lake is amazing, and there are fish in it.

We made it back to camp around 7. It was a long day. I put on my camp clothes and go to get water for dinner. I needed to keep moving, or else I'd crash and dinner would never be made.
And then I go for another swim- this time I didn't want to swim.

I headed straight to the creek for water, and I had the thought 'this rock might be slippery' but I brushed it off, I figured I wouldn't step on the wet part. I had our 2 big pots and my 2 waterbottles in my hands. I crouch down by the water, and the next thing I know, I'm in it.

The rocks formed a little bowl into a waterfall, and I floundered around in this bowl for a few moments trying to get a purchase all the while thinking 'oh god, oh god, I'm in the waterfall!' I finally grab a piece of rock, pull myself up a little, and then slip over that rock straight down the waterfall (I think it was maybe 10-12 ft). I let out a scream as I went down, and somehow kept clutching my waterbottles. I popped up near my eddy by my waterslide and struggled against the current to get in the calm water and into shallower water where I can stand. I pull myself up onto a rock and just sit for a moment, legs dangling in the creek.

Remarkably, the only thing hurt was my finger which had been hooked thru the lids of my waterbottles. The river gods took the pots. Kristian appears on the rocks because she heard my scream. She sees me once again soaking wet down by my water slide and laughs. Then I point to to the waterfall and she is in disbelief. Luckily we still had Kristian's small pot to cook in, although dinner was slow, and we had to eat out of our helmets.

When I crawled back out of the rocks I still had to fill my waterbottles, but this time I went high up where I could catch myself in a pool if I slipped again. I had to put my work clothes back on though, which made me very unhappy, but my camera (which lives in my pocket) still works! I consoled myself about life by adding huckleberries to my chocolate pudding. Now I just need sleep so life can be good again.

Day 8.
I could easily enjoy life as a bear. We were working on our ceonothis deforestation project again (gardening in the woods isn't so bad when you can actually see you're making a difference). There really is a trail under the brush. We also got to enjoy more huckle and thimble and black raspberries. I love this trail! It is full of yummy surprises.

We only worked half the day, then spent the hot part of the day bathing in the creek and sunbathing (I avoided the waterfall area- although w/ a life vest, swimming waterfalls could be a fun game). I then spent 3 hours in the afternoon pleasantly picking huckleberries. I filled a gallon ziplock 2/3 full. My hands are berry stained, so is the rest of me, and I have happy dreams of making cobblers w/ my spoils. I meandered around the trail picking in the shady spots and moving when the sun came and I hardly made a dent in all the bushes of joy.

We are amazed at how hot it is in the mountains. Sleeping outside my bag, w/ my tent windows open.

Day 9.
We got a distressing radio call this morning telling us we needed to hike out and catch the boat today. We were pissed. We had a plan, and it did not involve hiking in the heat of the day w/ no shade. We were six miles out from the dock.

Our plan was to work in the morning and finish our ceonothis project, dink around all afternoon, and then hike down to the dock in the evening when it was cooler and camp there, then catch the boat tomorrow.

Apparently not though. So we grumpily packed up and trudged down. We didn't use the cottonwood to cross the creek this time. The water was so low we walked across (but we used sticks to stabilize ourselves). the water was knee deep in the middle. The trail was very hot and we were unhappy, we also ran into our quota of 3 logs. (It's surprising that we got more logs on this trail which we had already cleared, than on the rest of the summit trail).

Chelan was a nice cool temperature so we swam while we waited for the boat. Once we saw it we started waving our shirts to flag it down. We were a little worried it wouldn't see us and we would be left in the woods. But we were rescued once again. Our boss picked us up from the boat and we got him to stop for icecream (He also told us the message the boys gave us to come out a day early was for them, not us. Instead we came downlake, and they got to goof off in stehekin for another day and eat at the restaurant and bakery). Oh well. We at least were back to the comforts of home.

I also had my huckleberries. Which I had carefully packed in my helmet and put at the top of my pack to protect them on the trip downlake. And I made an amazing huckleberry crisp topped w/ whipped cream and icecream.

Day 10.

We had to drive to pick up our truck which we left at the Buttermilk trailhead. We got a little lost, and I wasn't much help as a navigator because I had been asleep on the way up the first time.
We drove past some cows w/ their little moos tagging along behind them. We also drove up into a rainstorm in the mountains, but back to the heat when we returned to Chelan.

I shared my huckleberries w/ the rest of the office, and we did random things all afternoon until we picked up the guys from the dock. We exchanged trail stories of thunderstorms and heat and we made them feel bad for making us spend a day in the office. Then we booked it out of there as fast as we could before our boss got back so we wouldn't be stuck there another hour while he talked.

And with all my huckleberries I shared them w/ my hosts and we had huckleberry pancakes, huckleberry muffins, and huckleberries over icecream. I also got to enjoy a musical called "I love you, you're perfect, now change" That Aunt Kathryn is the pianist for.