An easy 32 mile hike for my first backpacking trip of the year. I saw only one other group of hikers plus a group of horse riders. Stunning views of Summit Chief and Bears Breast from my campsite on Waptus Lake. The trip on the old crest trail to Dutch Miller Gap was very enjoyable. When the Middle Fork road is gated this place will have even more solitude.
Snow free trails all the way to the gap. Lots of columbine, paintbrush, and tiger lilies still in bloom. This is a horse trail but if you can stand that it is in very good condition. The mosquitos were as bad as I can remember around Waptus Lake. I have a full report with pictures here:
Waptus Lake & Dutch Miller Gap
Here is one photo:
You will not see any mosquitos in the photos since they were all on me. I killed a few hundred but that didn't put a dent in the population.
On another note, I don't remember seeing the huge fossils on my previous trip to Lake Ivanhoe. I must have walked right by. The palm leaves are very impressive.
James, getting to ivan-hooo via the dutch miller gap trail is WAY better than that 75 mile dust hike to Vaptoos!
Now obcourse dat bees my "O"pinion!
TB
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
0
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
BPJ you are probably right when comparing trails. However, until I get a vehicle like yours I will stick to dirt roads my car can survive. Also, I just received an email from the group I met at the gap. They got soaked Saturday night and coming out Sunday. Sometimes going just a few miles east of the crest makes all the difference.
Very good point Mr.. On both the vehicle, and da weather!
TB
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
0
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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