One of my goals for out time at The Woods was to take advantage of the great day hikes nearby. So, the boys, Taiko, and I packed Taiko’s pack, and my camelback day pack and set off for Bean Creek. At the last minute, mom jumped in the car to join us. It’s going to be a slow, lazy hike – just her speed.
Well, we didn’t find Bean Creek – we misunderstood the Ranger’s directions, and mom isn’t all the good with maps. So, we landed at Esmeralda Basin instead. Since it was running a close second as my day hike of choice it was no hardship to go there instead. I did a lot of backpacking one summer up here and it’s always been a favorite of mine. It’s about a 3 ½ mile hike – one way, uphill the entire way – but oh, SO worth it!
We were lucky – we hit the peak of the wildflowers. Meadow after meadow filled with flowers of all types. Wow. It wasn’t as lovely as I remembered though – it looks like the bark beetle has killed off large parts of the forest in the lower part of the hike. Sigh.
We didn’t make it all the way to the top. We got to about the treeline and then mom declared herself done. That was fine – who wants to scramble through a HOT scree slope to the top of the saddle. Ug. So, we paused on a large log in a meadow for a rest and a snack before heading down.
Issac declared the log his airplane – and he was the captain. We were on our way to Africa. Three days and nights. No food or water. (Oh, it’s a contemporary carrier!) Was this a modern version of a Native American vision quest? Uh. Maybe not. So we all declared what we’d brought on board to share with the other passengers. Halfway to Africa the captain suddenly jumped out of the airplane and disappeared. Fortunately, the passengers were able to land the plane safely in Africa. Soon, it was time to return home. Fortunately, our captain reappeared wondering how we’d all got there. He took control of the plane again – we all brought different foodstuffs for the return journey. Upon landing, we saddled up the dog, and headed down the mountain.
Quite a satisfactory day hike.
We did make several important discoveries…
Taiko is a natural trail dog. He hauled about 12 pounds (15% of his weight) up that mountain (4 liters of water and most our emergency gear), and when I clipped his leash to the pack harness – he hauled me up too! It was like an express elevator to the top! He never barked at the other trail dogs or hikers, and was friendly to all he met. His only down side was an over interest in hunting the small furry creatures that make their homes near the trail. Though he pulls rather constantly – both uphill (yea!) and down (oooo!).
Issac can easily do a 6 mile hike. With many short rest breaks. But be sure to bring the first aid kit! He promptly informed us of a hot spot on his heel on the way up. Good thing I had moleskin. And on the way down he attempted a brook crossing on a “log” about the size of the poles we’d be making at The Woods. Needless to say, off he came into the water and scraped the side of his knee. Nothing for it, but to sit in the middle of the trail and howl. It was a nothing scrape – long, but no blood. Thinking – if I were at home I’d ice it I got out a 4x4 pad, wet it in the brook (snowmelt = COLD) and put it on the scrape. Ready to go? Issac hopped around – no! I can’t do it. Sigh. So, I pull out the big guns. I put on some antiseptic ointment, a 2x2 pad, and vet wrapped it twice, bright red vet wrap. All better. Issac was on his feet and racing down the mountain. Sigh. One must know one’s children.
The boys are shutter bugs. They took copious picture on the way up and down. Many of the pictures above are theirs. That beautiful portrait of Jakob was taken by Issac. I love that picture.
Well, we didn’t find Bean Creek – we misunderstood the Ranger’s directions, and mom isn’t all the good with maps. So, we landed at Esmeralda Basin instead. Since it was running a close second as my day hike of choice it was no hardship to go there instead. I did a lot of backpacking one summer up here and it’s always been a favorite of mine. It’s about a 3 ½ mile hike – one way, uphill the entire way – but oh, SO worth it!
We were lucky – we hit the peak of the wildflowers. Meadow after meadow filled with flowers of all types. Wow. It wasn’t as lovely as I remembered though – it looks like the bark beetle has killed off large parts of the forest in the lower part of the hike. Sigh.
We didn’t make it all the way to the top. We got to about the treeline and then mom declared herself done. That was fine – who wants to scramble through a HOT scree slope to the top of the saddle. Ug. So, we paused on a large log in a meadow for a rest and a snack before heading down.
Issac declared the log his airplane – and he was the captain. We were on our way to Africa. Three days and nights. No food or water. (Oh, it’s a contemporary carrier!) Was this a modern version of a Native American vision quest? Uh. Maybe not. So we all declared what we’d brought on board to share with the other passengers. Halfway to Africa the captain suddenly jumped out of the airplane and disappeared. Fortunately, the passengers were able to land the plane safely in Africa. Soon, it was time to return home. Fortunately, our captain reappeared wondering how we’d all got there. He took control of the plane again – we all brought different foodstuffs for the return journey. Upon landing, we saddled up the dog, and headed down the mountain.
Quite a satisfactory day hike.
We did make several important discoveries…
Taiko is a natural trail dog. He hauled about 12 pounds (15% of his weight) up that mountain (4 liters of water and most our emergency gear), and when I clipped his leash to the pack harness – he hauled me up too! It was like an express elevator to the top! He never barked at the other trail dogs or hikers, and was friendly to all he met. His only down side was an over interest in hunting the small furry creatures that make their homes near the trail. Though he pulls rather constantly – both uphill (yea!) and down (oooo!).
Issac can easily do a 6 mile hike. With many short rest breaks. But be sure to bring the first aid kit! He promptly informed us of a hot spot on his heel on the way up. Good thing I had moleskin. And on the way down he attempted a brook crossing on a “log” about the size of the poles we’d be making at The Woods. Needless to say, off he came into the water and scraped the side of his knee. Nothing for it, but to sit in the middle of the trail and howl. It was a nothing scrape – long, but no blood. Thinking – if I were at home I’d ice it I got out a 4x4 pad, wet it in the brook (snowmelt = COLD) and put it on the scrape. Ready to go? Issac hopped around – no! I can’t do it. Sigh. So, I pull out the big guns. I put on some antiseptic ointment, a 2x2 pad, and vet wrapped it twice, bright red vet wrap. All better. Issac was on his feet and racing down the mountain. Sigh. One must know one’s children.
The boys are shutter bugs. They took copious picture on the way up and down. Many of the pictures above are theirs. That beautiful portrait of Jakob was taken by Issac. I love that picture.
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