Backpacking companion Wild Bill and I thought a November backpack would reward us with total solitude. Instead, we were greeted by 15 college students and a four hunters at the trailhead next to Highway 20 near Clearlake, California. We let them go ahead, then headed toward our overnight destination seven miles ahead in Wilson Valley. We dreaded spending the night with this small army of backpackers. When we came to a river about 2.5 miles down the trail, we waded across — losing the hunters — who apparently didn’t want to get wet. On the far bank we discovered an oak-savanah plateau with widely scattered campsites. One site — about 100 yards past the turn off to Wilson Valley — sat on the edge at the 25-foot high cliffs over looking the river and valley. Rather than hike another five miles to join the crowd in Wilson Valley, set up camp, day-hiked and then toasted this quiet paradise with some chardonnay we brought along. This is one of many backpacks where we discovered wilderness and total solitude less than 3 miles from the trailhead.Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.
This is my 12th season as a backpacker and — I hate to admit it — the first season I haven’t had a pack on my back. Several trips started out with packs packed, but turned into camping / day hiking-into-the-wilderness-trips, covering sections of the PCT. Still, I am hoping for one more chance to keep my string of backpacking years unbroken. It all depends on our Northern California weather holding out until early November. I’m thinking Snow Mountain Wilderness where we’ll have the the whole place to ourselves (and hopefully no snow).Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.
Wild Bill, the Duke and I just spent three days in the King Range, that 4,000 foot mountain range that forms the backdrop to the 28-mile Lost Coast Trail. On Saturday we topped King Peak at 4,200 feet and spent two hours having lunch and enjoying the incredible view. On Sunday, we drove down to Bear Harbor to see Needle Point, and the ocean-side visitor center. There’s a barn nearby that offers backpackers a place to sleep and a picnic bench for breakfast as you look through a window to the Pacific Ocean. Besides the incredible ocean views, a herd of elk appeared and ambled in front of our car.Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.
Backpacking companion Wild Bill and I thought a November backpack would reward us with total solitude. Instead, we were greeted by 15 college students and a four hunters at the trailhead next to Highway 20 near Clearlake, California. We let them go ahead, then headed toward our overnight destination seven miles ahead in Wilson Valley. We dreaded spending the night with this small army of backpackers. When we came to a river about 2.5 miles down the trail, we waded across — losing the hunters — who apparently didn’t want to get wet. On the far bank we discovered an oak-savanah plateau with widely scattered campsites. One site — about 100 yards past the turn off to Wilson Valley — sat on the edge at the 25-foot high cliffs over looking the river and valley. Rather than hike another five miles to join the crowd in Wilson Valley, set up camp, day-hiked and then toasted this quiet paradise with some chardonnay we brought along. This is one of many backpacks where we discovered wilderness and total solitude less than 3 miles from the trailhead.Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.
