A November camping trip to Big Bend National Park.
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August 31, 2002 Upper Sally Keyes Lake 36º-63º @VLC 37.27506, -118.87703 <- previous day | following day -> Commenced this morning at 8:10; got to Muir Trial Ranch by 11:30 after a rather steep descent. I could feel the warm humidity of the lower elevation. We opened the gate and went into the ranch. I’d read several…
August 30, 2002 Quail Meadows to Upper Sally Keyes Lake 34º-60º @VLC <- previous day | following day -> We ended up going 14.8 miles today; started at 7:50 and finished about 6:00 p.m. About a 4,000′ gain according to Todd. The guidebooks indicated a difficult ascent up Bear Valley, but it seemed pretty easy. That…
[Original date August 31, 1997] Trip report from a hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico (13,161′) undertaken August 31, 1997. Wheeler Peak is the highest point in New Mexico at 13,161′. The hike to the summit via Bull of the Woods is about 15 miles round trip, and…
Reflecting on a trip twenty years ago, the author shares insights on what they would alter, such as hiking later into the day to utilize camping spots better, and creating a detailed pre-trip spreadsheet for trails and sites. They also describe an effective, though simplistic, food routine involving freeze-dried meals and powdered milk that fulfilled their needs well. However, the author notes excessive packing of heavy clothing and inefficiencies in water storage, suggesting modern packs with built-in hydration systems as an upgrade.
<- previous day | following day -> September 1, 2002 41º-59º @BSH A 7:30 start and relatively easy 1,000′ ascent to Evolution Valley. Except for the spot where I fell into the river. One crossing was hard to find, I took a route across which relied on me stepping on a few small balanced rocks. Well, they…
Marcus/Bush Mtn Trail Update: I finally did the Marcus trail in April 2025 but got snowed out of my following Blue Ridge/Bush Mountain backpack. I really want to finish up all the hiking trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I’ve never been up the Permian Geology trail to the Wilderness Ridge BC site. I’ve never…