Post by Kevin Palmer on Jul 31, 2016 14:29:42 GMT -8
Last month I moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. Last weekend I went on my first backpacking trip here. My goal was to climb the 13,167 foot high Cloud Peak.
I left the West Tensleep Lake trailhead at about 2PM. As soon as I came to the Tensleep Creek crossing, I saw these moose just around the corner about 50 yards away.
Tensleep Creek Moose by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
They didn't seem too interested in me, but I wasn't going to get any closer. I tried to quickly cross the creek before I pulled out my camera. I proceeded to fall in, but thankfully kept my pack above water. I'm pretty sure I heard the moose laugh at me. Throughout the trip, I would see 4 more moose (or possibly elk), but they were a lot more distant.
The trail to Cloud Peak passes by Lake Helen.
Cloud Peak from Lake Helen by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
Then it passes by the smaller Lake Marion.
Lake Marion Wildflowers by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
At Mistymoon Lake I get my first good view of Cloud Peak which I would climb the next day.
Cloud Peak From Mistymoon Lake by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
On the way down into Paint Rock Creek Valley I sprained my ankle slightly. I was a little concerned about the climb the next day but I didn't think it was a big deal. Someone had claimed the best campsite by the waterfall, so I setup further east where I had this unnamed creek all to myself.
Bomber Mountain Creek by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
A storm moved in at sunset, with beautiful colors. I hurriedly ate dinner and then ran up and down the valley trying to get the best picture. Not yet used to the 10,000 feet elevation, I was very breathless.
Paint Rock Valley Sunset by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The rain drove me into my tent at 9:30. The storm seemed pretty tame I thought. But after the rain stopped, then came the winds. My tent nearly collapsed, and I was holding up the pole at times. But then it calmed down for the rest of the night.
I hit the trail at 7AM the next morning to climb Cloud Peak, leaving my tent and other unneeded gear behind. After crossing Paint Rock Creek, there was somewhat of a trail for awhile that eventually went up the north fork of the creek, where it got steeper.
Alpine Wildflowers by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
But the trail soon faded away and I had to hop from boulder to boulder to boulder. There were a few cairns here and there, but I mostly just had to check my map and make sure I kept heading up in the right direction. When I stopped to take a leak, the button on my pants popped off. But I was able to make a makeshift belt with a spare velcro strap that I brought along. I knew it would come in handy eventually. I finally reached the summit just before noon.
Top of the Bighorns by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The view east over Cloud Peak Glacier was spectacular. Occasionally I could hear rock slides down below. It would seem to start with a single rock and then the sound would last for up to a minute. I headed back down after 1PM. This is the western face of Cloud Peak viewed from the knife edge, a very narrow ridge with steep dropoffs on both sides.
The Western Face by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
Then I turned around and saw something that was not there a few minutes ago: a huge plume of smoke. I figured the fire had to be about 15 miles away, but it was in the direction of the trailhead where I left my car.
The Hatchery Fire by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The fire grew very quickly, with pyrocumulus clouds making it look like a volcanic eruption at times. According to the forest service, it grew to 2400 acres in only 6 hours. I later learned it was caused by overheated brakes on a car going down Tensleep Canyon. I was a little concerned about my hike out the next day, but knew I wasn't in any imminent danger.
After descending the peak, I moved my campsite to a perfect spot that I passed the day before. It was on a hill north of Mistymoon Lake. After setting up camp, a ranger stopped by and informed all campers that there was a mandatory evacuation of the area around the trailhead, and we had to hike out as soon as possible. He was already in the backcountry and was informed by radio to warn everyone. Storms began to build again, and cleared out the smoke. The sun broke through, and there was a brilliant alpenglow on the lower slopes of Bomber Mountain.
Mistymoon Campsite by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
Mistymoon Panorama by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The next morning, it almost didn't seem necessary to evacuate. I could barely see any smoke and there was only a slight smell of it. But I had no way of knowing, so I hit the trail early. After about a mile, I stepped on the edge of a rock and sprained my ankle. I knew immediately that it was the worst sprain I've ever had. The slight sprain 2 days earlier must have made it more susceptible. But with no alternative, I was forced to hike the remaining 6 miles on the injured ankle. I took apart my tripod and used that as a hiking pole. I'm glad I didn't sprain my ankle going up Cloud Peak because there's no way I could have made it down all those boulders. Since it was my left ankle, I was still able to drive the 2 hours home. I don't know how much worse I made the injury by hiking 6 miles on it. But by the time I got home I could barely walk and had to be on crutches.
I had a lot of firsts on this trip. First time using a bear canister, first time sleeping above 10,000 feet, and first major hiking injury. It was also only my 2nd time backpacking for more than 1 night. I'm hoping my ankle will heal up soon so I can get out again. I love living so close to the mountains now.
I left the West Tensleep Lake trailhead at about 2PM. As soon as I came to the Tensleep Creek crossing, I saw these moose just around the corner about 50 yards away.
Tensleep Creek Moose by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
They didn't seem too interested in me, but I wasn't going to get any closer. I tried to quickly cross the creek before I pulled out my camera. I proceeded to fall in, but thankfully kept my pack above water. I'm pretty sure I heard the moose laugh at me. Throughout the trip, I would see 4 more moose (or possibly elk), but they were a lot more distant.
The trail to Cloud Peak passes by Lake Helen.
Cloud Peak from Lake Helen by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
Then it passes by the smaller Lake Marion.
Lake Marion Wildflowers by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
At Mistymoon Lake I get my first good view of Cloud Peak which I would climb the next day.
Cloud Peak From Mistymoon Lake by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
On the way down into Paint Rock Creek Valley I sprained my ankle slightly. I was a little concerned about the climb the next day but I didn't think it was a big deal. Someone had claimed the best campsite by the waterfall, so I setup further east where I had this unnamed creek all to myself.
Bomber Mountain Creek by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
A storm moved in at sunset, with beautiful colors. I hurriedly ate dinner and then ran up and down the valley trying to get the best picture. Not yet used to the 10,000 feet elevation, I was very breathless.
Paint Rock Valley Sunset by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The rain drove me into my tent at 9:30. The storm seemed pretty tame I thought. But after the rain stopped, then came the winds. My tent nearly collapsed, and I was holding up the pole at times. But then it calmed down for the rest of the night.
I hit the trail at 7AM the next morning to climb Cloud Peak, leaving my tent and other unneeded gear behind. After crossing Paint Rock Creek, there was somewhat of a trail for awhile that eventually went up the north fork of the creek, where it got steeper.
Alpine Wildflowers by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
But the trail soon faded away and I had to hop from boulder to boulder to boulder. There were a few cairns here and there, but I mostly just had to check my map and make sure I kept heading up in the right direction. When I stopped to take a leak, the button on my pants popped off. But I was able to make a makeshift belt with a spare velcro strap that I brought along. I knew it would come in handy eventually. I finally reached the summit just before noon.
Top of the Bighorns by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The view east over Cloud Peak Glacier was spectacular. Occasionally I could hear rock slides down below. It would seem to start with a single rock and then the sound would last for up to a minute. I headed back down after 1PM. This is the western face of Cloud Peak viewed from the knife edge, a very narrow ridge with steep dropoffs on both sides.
The Western Face by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
Then I turned around and saw something that was not there a few minutes ago: a huge plume of smoke. I figured the fire had to be about 15 miles away, but it was in the direction of the trailhead where I left my car.
The Hatchery Fire by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The fire grew very quickly, with pyrocumulus clouds making it look like a volcanic eruption at times. According to the forest service, it grew to 2400 acres in only 6 hours. I later learned it was caused by overheated brakes on a car going down Tensleep Canyon. I was a little concerned about my hike out the next day, but knew I wasn't in any imminent danger.
After descending the peak, I moved my campsite to a perfect spot that I passed the day before. It was on a hill north of Mistymoon Lake. After setting up camp, a ranger stopped by and informed all campers that there was a mandatory evacuation of the area around the trailhead, and we had to hike out as soon as possible. He was already in the backcountry and was informed by radio to warn everyone. Storms began to build again, and cleared out the smoke. The sun broke through, and there was a brilliant alpenglow on the lower slopes of Bomber Mountain.
Mistymoon Campsite by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
Mistymoon Panorama by Kevin Palmer, on Flickr
The next morning, it almost didn't seem necessary to evacuate. I could barely see any smoke and there was only a slight smell of it. But I had no way of knowing, so I hit the trail early. After about a mile, I stepped on the edge of a rock and sprained my ankle. I knew immediately that it was the worst sprain I've ever had. The slight sprain 2 days earlier must have made it more susceptible. But with no alternative, I was forced to hike the remaining 6 miles on the injured ankle. I took apart my tripod and used that as a hiking pole. I'm glad I didn't sprain my ankle going up Cloud Peak because there's no way I could have made it down all those boulders. Since it was my left ankle, I was still able to drive the 2 hours home. I don't know how much worse I made the injury by hiking 6 miles on it. But by the time I got home I could barely walk and had to be on crutches.
I had a lot of firsts on this trip. First time using a bear canister, first time sleeping above 10,000 feet, and first major hiking injury. It was also only my 2nd time backpacking for more than 1 night. I'm hoping my ankle will heal up soon so I can get out again. I love living so close to the mountains now.