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Post by Coolkat on Jul 13, 2021 4:07:11 GMT -8
Because 13 days means some pretty darn heavy packs, of course... I'm with cweston, 13 days of food is a lot of weight but wow if you can do it more power to you. The most I've done is 10 days in La Garita last July. I'm somewhat jealous of you guys who live closer to the western states. Nevermind me, keep posting about the trip!
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Post by oldbill on Jul 13, 2021 4:11:06 GMT -8
I'd recommend going to Wall Lake and set up in Indian Basin. Fish Cook Lakes and Wall (though fish will most likely be deep). Or set up just below Wall (trees), fish and use next day to move to Indian Basin. Explore Indian Basin, Mistake L etc...Over Knapsack and around via Shannon Pass. See Elbow L if time allows. Also see Big Water Slide (though way overused for camping even 10 yrs ago). Fish Jean L and Miller, Sweeney.
4 lb is about right. Might want to consider the Jakes Money Clip (gold w/red dots). Also set up to cast flies with spinning gear. Mosquitos shouldn't be too bad late Aug. Headed up myself late Aug-mid Sep.
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 13, 2021 8:08:43 GMT -8
Because 13 days means some pretty darn heavy packs, of course... I'm with cweston, 13 days of food is a lot of weight but wow if you can do it more power to you. The most I've done is 10 days in La Garita last July. I'm somewhat jealous of you guys who live closer to the western states. Nevermind me, keep posting about the trip! I agree it will be heavier than I would like. Out of a 52 pound pack half will be food. With that being said, it would take a day out and a day back in for a resupply. I would rather spend an extra day or two fishing from a basecamp to "eat up" some weight.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 13, 2021 9:09:02 GMT -8
We are hoping for a break from the smoke in the next day or so but be aware this could turn out to be the smokiest summer here in several years. I would have plans B, C-Z etc.
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Post by trinity on Jul 13, 2021 10:18:00 GMT -8
I would have plans B, C-Z etc. Definitely. I pretty much never plan a trip without having at least a plan B and C, especially during wildfire season. It is certainly not easy carrying that much food, but I found it doable on my 13 day trip. Of course, I was 6 years younger and in much better shape. I also carried all my flyfishing stuff, a camp chair, and a liter of whisky. You can do this.
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Post by oldbill on Jul 13, 2021 12:49:54 GMT -8
I would have plans B, C-Z etc. I never go to Winds without at least a few alternatives planned. Usually it's weather related. Last year it wasn't so much the smoke as the windstorm that took out both Elkhart and Big Sandy trailheads the day we'd planned on starting. Had several people depending on me to lead them to Titcomb. No go. Just happened to have a route planned in Middle Fk, so went in via Scab Ck. It was great! I also carried all my flyfishing stuff, a camp chair, and a liter of whisky. Man...I have enough problems carrying 4-5 days of food with a 65L pack and the gear's fairly light (no camp chair!)
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 13, 2021 14:02:04 GMT -8
I too have a 65 liter pack. I figured the first 3 days I'd look like an overloaded Pakistani bus with stuff hanging off everywhere.
I don't have an alternate plan. This has been a bucket list trip for me and the thought of bailing elsewhere just hasn't been there. We fly into Slat Lake city on August 14th and have a car rented for 2 weeks. I have a hotel in Pinedale the night of the 14th and another hotel in Salt Lake the night of the 27th. We fly out the 28th. I can always cancel the Pinedale if need be. Does anyone have an area I should consider for a plan B? I've been to the Beartooths twice and would have no issues going back there again. Twice I've been denied Olly lake due to someone getting hurt. That's probably a long drive but OK. The Weminuche's? While I have taken an old Landcruiser through Moab I've never back packed in the red rock. Not sure I want to in August, but if I need a plan D. Uinta's? As long as we can fish, have no cell reception, I'm good.
Thanks for any help.
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Post by oldbill on Jul 13, 2021 14:27:08 GMT -8
I'd just make some alternative routes in the Winds just on the outside chance there's a fire closing routes out of Elkhart. You will not be disappointed anywhere in the Winds. You can stick to the west side too.
If something last minute does happen, check with the Great Outdoor Shop in Pinedale. They'll have latest conditions.
Much more likely that smoke from other states will make hazy photos (but great sunsets).
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 18, 2021 18:20:53 GMT -8
4 lb is about right. Might want to consider the Jakes Money Clip (gold w/red dots). Also set up to cast flies with spinning gear. Mosquitos shouldn't be too bad late Aug. Headed up myself late Aug-mid Sep. Jakes showed up yesterday in gold w/red dots in 1/4oz. Thanks for the tip.
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 31, 2021 15:20:24 GMT -8
We leave 2 weeks from today. I wish I could say I'm stoked but I'm too focused on work to prepare for no contact for a while in a busy time. I have a feeling that we may not make as many early miles as planned. It would change things a bit but it would mean an extra day in Baldy Basin and shortening the rout out. Basically we would miss Knapsak Col. MInd you not a guarantee. Outside of campsites around Cook, can anyone share some thoughts on Spider lake, lake 10442 or 10450? Just looks like a beautiful area and have read the fishing is good. Are any of the rivers suitable for fly fishing?
Thanks,
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Post by trinity on Jul 31, 2021 17:15:04 GMT -8
I haven't camped in Bald Mountain Basin, but the views I've had of this area have been very tantalizing. It looks like a great area to camp and explore. I've camped at Mount Baldy Lake, not too far distant, and can tell you the fishing was pretty spectacular. I've fished Pole Creek not far from Spider Lake with good success, though I remember the fish (brookies) being a bit stunted. Here's Pole Creek near where it crosses the Fremont Trail. It is, as you can see, pretty gorgeous.
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 31, 2021 20:28:53 GMT -8
Trinity,
You are Johnny on the spot with information.
Swims with trout mentioned the area in an earlier post. It's gotta be pretty great if it's on his mentionable list.
Thank you.
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Post by absarokanaut on Aug 3, 2021 13:48:34 GMT -8
To not have alternate plans is, to put it incredibly kindly, less than smart. Unless you really like disappointments I'd have backups in Colorado's Sangres, the Bob Marshall, etc. None of us know how the smoke will be.
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Post by oldbill on Aug 3, 2021 14:34:07 GMT -8
absarokanaut Any chance the monsoon rains will help in the next few weeks? Just saw a trip report in Beartooths last 2 wks. Hazy but still pretty spectacular. Of course, never know if dry lightening or careless camper will start a fire in the Winds backcountry. I remember heading straight towards that 35,000 acre 2012 Alpine Lake from the West side. Wind and terrain were in my favor though.
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Post by nextridgeover on Aug 9, 2021 8:23:23 GMT -8
Anyone with experience fishing 1000 Island lake or Junction lake? Thought we would spend a day hiking and fishing the local lakes.
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