Trip Report: Backpacking the Blue Range Primitive Wilderness Area

My friend Patrick and I backpacked the Blue Range's Foote Creek Trail over the Memorial Day weekend. We began at Hannagan Meadow Trail Head about 25 miles south of Alpine on Saturday morning. Here's a fairly decent trail description, though it fails to neglect that the "detour" trail burned in a wild fire several years ago and has yet to be prepared: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/recreation/trails/alpine_trails/trl_alp_foote.shtml. We pretty much bushwhacked for a good 1.5 miles, almost stepping on a rattle snake in the process. Despite not having a map, we reached Horse Ridge Trail at about 3:30pm, making that day's mileage about 10.5 miles including some of the backtracking we did when mistakenly thought we were lost. We camped at the trail junction next to a picturesque slot canyon and hung out until dusk. A solid meal of spaghetti and sausage links, followed by a nice fire and a bear bagging adventure (when you hang your food from a tree....we never did see any bears, though they are abundant supposedly), got us ready for a chilly night under the stars. We hiked back to Highway 191 via Horse Ridge the next day, steadily climbing while taking in the views of the surrounding forests and sandstone peaks. Very cool. After reaching the highway we started walking back to our car and hitching along the way. After about 2 miles a nice couple picked us up. We had thought it was about four more miles back to the car....turns out it was more like seven. Three cheers for random acts of kindness.

That's my pack on the left. I got to try out my new ultralight backpack and camp gear on this trip. I maxed out at about 22 lbs. including water. It's a lot more fun carrying less over 16 miles. Check out the gossamer gear link on the top of this blog if you're interested in obtaining said gear.

Comrades in Arms

Private Patrick marches onward

The slot canyon near our campsite.

View while hiking up Horse Ridge Trail

Castle Rock, one of the defining features of the Blues.

My Cat is Better Than Your Everything

It's true. My cat rules. Don't try to argue with me on this. Definitely don't try to argue with him or he'll sharpen his claws on your calfs. Still skeptical? Here are some defining traits of this king among men, or cats....I don't think that expression was meant to cross into the animal kindgom....UNTIL NOW!

-He sleeps in the bathroom sink

-He's loyal like a dog, yet other dogs fear him

-He sprints across the yard with his back rising up like a cheetah pursuing prey

-Just because you live in a different house than me doesn't mean my cat won't find you. He's goes where he wants when he wants. Don't be surprised to find him strutting through an open window like he owns the place; he probably does own it. Read the fine print before you sign a lease from now on.