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- Dec 23, 2013
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Day 1 - Got up early on Friday, October 11th to drive up to the Pacific Creek Trailhead in the Teton Wilderness for a four-day backpacking trip up the Whetstone Creek Drainage. @Jackson had graciously decided to join me on this trip (a bout of temporary insanity I think)
and we arrived at the trailhead around 1:30 in the afternoon to a balmy 29 degrees. There are three things about backpacking this time of year that you can count on in the Teton Wilderness: cool temperatures, elk hunters, and bear activity.
Our first day was a 4.5 mile (a bit more because we missed the turnoff for Whetstone Creek the first time. Ooops!) hike to our base camp on West Whetstone Creek. The trail was mostly frozen with some snow along the way. We were able to find a dry patch to set up our tents when we arrived at our campsite.
![83733 83733](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83750-404adf6296cc669782065a1a8f8cd1e3.jpg)
Overview map of our trip
![83735 83735](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83752-3df2ebc3e6c3b0eb5f1c88d7c9eb19e4.jpg)
A hunter was kind enough to take our picture at the trailhead. Notice the Rottweiler keeping us in line.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![83736 83736](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83753-ef663bbe02f1ed337dbe4cce28f8c1eb.jpg)
Trailhead sign
![83737 83737](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83754-005cc1d98ad691548b7f5e6dbaa36f77.jpg)
Within 100 feet of the trailhead
![83738 83738](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83755-1f07a640cf1df510fa3282e5775bcdfe.jpg)
Some of the aspen down low still had some yellow color left though most had already turned brown.
![83739 83739](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83756-4af5d84e6495be4f3edc955d99e10cff.jpg)
Pacific Creek
![83740 83740](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83757-ea5f00daa890b572810a759eb3ba56a3.jpg)
Trail junction that we missed and had to come back to. We were too busy checking out Grizzly and wolf Prints to pay attention to junctions signs.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![83741 83741](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83758-ecc62b754861b79946a1fa8635b17b04.jpg)
More snow as we head higher up the trail
![83742 83742](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83759-2f715ab83ae6485b47f9301a892b124c.jpg)
Breaking out into some meadows on the Whetstone Creek Trail
![83743 83743](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83760-8a6629081e2a9f1a52a1d69b3bea8b68.jpg)
First look at Whetstone Mountain
![83744 83744](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83761-71320c0e949adf0f6cf4fd202651ce6a.jpg)
A look down into the Pacific Creek Drainage
![83745 83745](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83762-fb0ad79cfb17de24c575dc50e1ac0140.jpg)
Grizzly dig near the trail
![83746 83746](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83763-eb95e3c731bd396da53641b5b2063d96.jpg)
Jackson, fording Whetstone Creek, something that we had to do multiple times on our way to our campsite
![83747 83747](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83764-e0ce74d49e00093245f4180455b06a77.jpg)
A dry patch for our tents located near the confluence of East Whetstone Creek and West Whetstone Creek
![83748 83748](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83765-9032edbcb9039d232e79ba328374037e.jpg)
West Whetstone Creek, looking towards Bobcat Ridge. This is the spot were we cooked and ate our meals.
Day 2 - A day hike up East Whetstone Creek. (9 miles round trip)
A cold 14 degrees when we woke up on day two and the sun did not shine on us until about 8:30 in the morning. We had originally planned on doing a loop hike from camp, starting up East Whetstone Creek and coming back down West Whetstone Creek. Unfortunately our Teton Wilderness Map, and our 7.5 minute maps only had the old trail up East Whetstone on them and not the new maintained trail up on the ridge. So essentially, we spent all morning bushwhacking through willows up East Whetstone Creek until eventually the two trails married up with one another. We set a two o'clock turn around time and decided if we weren't at least halfway through the loop that we would just turn around and head back the way we had hiked up. The trail up East Whetstone was covered in Grizzly tracks that headed both ways.
![83749 83749](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83766-97bdc9676e6ab85ab41bfb6f01a74d52.jpg)
East Whetstone Creek - on the old overgrown trail
![83750 83750](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83767-7e869dea6f96dd48838f77dda299d38a.jpg)
Still on the old trail, looking back down East Whetstone Creek at Whetstone Mountain
![83751 83751](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83768-a20b55cc99544d51dcaf6be665d9988d.jpg)
Found the current, maintained trail at this point
![83752 83752](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83769-addce61a1b6f621c6a2b7de21ca46fc1.jpg)
Large meadow of willows along East Whetstone Creek
![83753 83753](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83770-064f6d54bbbe53fccd8c4227a03c84a6.jpg)
Looking up towards the headwaters of East Whetstone Creek with Big Game Ridge in the far distance.
![83754 83754](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83771-7e0bee4d2fe4d5d60c846f54a5ee93ac.jpg)
On our way back to camp. Looking down at the meadow where our tents are located.
![83755 83755](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83772-73143da59efcf320015083d7d49abbb1.jpg)
Dinner time on West Whetstone Creek. Jackson in the distance heading to our eating area.
Day 3 - A day hike up West Whetstone Creek (11 miles round trip)
Only 18 degrees this morning.
Since we didn't complete our loop on the previous day, we decide to hike up the trail that follows West Whetstone Creek (originally, we had planned to hike to Moss Lake). We hiked all the way to a saddle where we could look north, down into the Pilgrim and Coulter Creek Drainages and off into Yellowstone National Park.
My boots were so frozen when I got up that I had to take my shovel to loosen the boot strings, then pry the top of the boots apart with my hands so that I could get my feet inside them. Quite the task! I won't even talk about trying to get the gaitors on.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![83756 83756](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83773-34507a35a442eebe2e0d20e98a181a2d.jpg)
Cold morning on West Whetstone
![83757 83757](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83774-579ab657fa2671e141fb51419dfab4d5.jpg)
Grizzly tracks on the edge of our meadow where our tents were located
![83758 83758](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83775-eef7f37a8dae7330e46a569defa36cd6.jpg)
Whetstone Mountain
![83760 83760](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83777-f688564a86e4aade80591e6b6fb0c4f1.jpg)
Bobcat Ridge
![83761 83761](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83778-eee3527174b59824a6632c6e61d4505e.jpg)
The trail up West Whetstone Drainage
![83762 83762](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83779-2ca43c57cf2f5550be7c5bcf9a9d8569.jpg)
Some fall color hanging on
![83764 83764](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83781-6a8b4a3564bc23478b9b75c6226c9657.jpg)
Unnamed, frozen pond along our route.
![83765 83765](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83782-c9f6abdb2fd1b816c54e8e987da8d055.jpg)
Jackson was kind enough to take a picture of my good side.![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![83766 83766](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83783-2256c3d0256ee7d6e406a19200ac6e4a.jpg)
The saddle that we are hiking to is just left of center of the image.
![83768 83768](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83785-3be5a062e10cfc67239d6a7bd81f53c9.jpg)
Looking back down West Whetstone Creek towards Pacific Creek and into the heart of the Teton Wilderness
![83769 83769](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83786-1eaecd7abb47f52ad52d73df2ee11d97.jpg)
Jackson, checking out the northern end of the Teton Wilderness and Mount Sheridan and Mount Hancock in Yellowstone National Park.
![83770 83770](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83787-83902b041666163101928aecbb33d3a4.jpg)
Mount Sheridan and the Red Mountains, located in Yellowstone National Park
![83771 83771](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83788-d7cbf653a37d968cb6e56c1b93527df6.jpg)
Mount Hancock and Big Game Ridge, located in Yellowstone National Park
![83772 83772](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83789-2f92356d78d1e303de16760349d5d4c8.jpg)
Gravel Mountain to the south, located between Pacific Creek and Lava Creek
![83773 83773](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83790-184775014c715dddd40205352eed2529.jpg)
On our way back to camp, looking down at the meadow where our tents are located.
![83774 83774](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83791-689408a9b257c342bfaa64946d5f0008.jpg)
Victory! We finally got a fire started on evening number three.
Day 4 - Hiking back out to the Pacific Creek Trailhead.
A slow warm up on our trip as it was a toasty 21 degrees the morning of our hike out. During the night though, we were serenaded by coyotes twice, once at around midnight and a second time close to one o'clock. Both times, they yipped, yapped and howled for a long period of time. Pretty cool!
Even though we had been following bear track the entire trip, it wasn't until we were headed out that we ran into a bear along the trail. We stopped and watched it for a couple of minutes just being a bear, before it got wind of us and left the area. It was busy grazing and digging for grubs as it made its way down the hillside towards the trail when it stopped and started smelling the air. After taking a sniff of us it started standing to get a better look. It eventually figured out where we were and gave us a long hard look, standing a couple more times before moving on back up the hill.
![83777 83777](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83794-fb49d795e464d50de409b36ca45a44bd.jpg)
Grizzly tracks heading both ways
![83778 83778](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83795-954e607a0a73044c736b79df1665e345.jpg)
More tracks along the frozen trail
![83779 83779](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83796-3267620dc7adcc0c46ae8d834186d83c.jpg)
Grizzly above the trail
![83780 83780](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83797-ed1dd796d2abe87857601a3903fd97fc.jpg)
Giving us a look
![83781 83781](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83798-7689aae6447814fbe6fa57a9542e66e6.jpg)
Standing, before it dropped to all fours and wandered off.
![83782 83782](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83799-353e163385c2c88e9fa3aca4c2ae029a.jpg)
Another look at the south side of Whetstone Mountain
![83783 83783](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83800-450ba1d9379e6b4d6e68a95c1f1a8195.jpg)
Didn't miss the junction on our way out.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![83784 83784](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83801-50595ccb4920fd85975f2dd4e3178a59.jpg)
Still frozen Pacific Creek Trail. Normally this trail is a muddy mess this time of year with all the horse traffic.
![83785 83785](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83802-7e8f1834023c4b970c1d0514abfe88f4.jpg)
Our ride home.
Once we left the trailhead, we didn't see another person until we got back to the trailhead. We had the whole Whetstone drainage to ourselves, other than the Grizzlies, Elk, Deer and Coyotes of course. A great short trip for sure. Hopefully Jackson will give us his perspective on the trip and share some photos that he took, and thanks Jackson for hanging out with the old man for a few days and congrats on your first Grizzly sighting in the backcountry.![Thumbs Up :thumbsup: :thumbsup:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Our first day was a 4.5 mile (a bit more because we missed the turnoff for Whetstone Creek the first time. Ooops!) hike to our base camp on West Whetstone Creek. The trail was mostly frozen with some snow along the way. We were able to find a dry patch to set up our tents when we arrived at our campsite.
![83733 83733](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83750-404adf6296cc669782065a1a8f8cd1e3.jpg)
Overview map of our trip
![83735 83735](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83752-3df2ebc3e6c3b0eb5f1c88d7c9eb19e4.jpg)
A hunter was kind enough to take our picture at the trailhead. Notice the Rottweiler keeping us in line.
![83736 83736](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83753-ef663bbe02f1ed337dbe4cce28f8c1eb.jpg)
Trailhead sign
![83737 83737](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83754-005cc1d98ad691548b7f5e6dbaa36f77.jpg)
Within 100 feet of the trailhead
![83738 83738](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83755-1f07a640cf1df510fa3282e5775bcdfe.jpg)
Some of the aspen down low still had some yellow color left though most had already turned brown.
![83739 83739](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83756-4af5d84e6495be4f3edc955d99e10cff.jpg)
Pacific Creek
![83740 83740](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83757-ea5f00daa890b572810a759eb3ba56a3.jpg)
Trail junction that we missed and had to come back to. We were too busy checking out Grizzly and wolf Prints to pay attention to junctions signs.
![83741 83741](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83758-ecc62b754861b79946a1fa8635b17b04.jpg)
More snow as we head higher up the trail
![83742 83742](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83759-2f715ab83ae6485b47f9301a892b124c.jpg)
Breaking out into some meadows on the Whetstone Creek Trail
![83743 83743](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83760-8a6629081e2a9f1a52a1d69b3bea8b68.jpg)
First look at Whetstone Mountain
![83744 83744](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83761-71320c0e949adf0f6cf4fd202651ce6a.jpg)
A look down into the Pacific Creek Drainage
![83745 83745](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83762-fb0ad79cfb17de24c575dc50e1ac0140.jpg)
Grizzly dig near the trail
![83746 83746](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83763-eb95e3c731bd396da53641b5b2063d96.jpg)
Jackson, fording Whetstone Creek, something that we had to do multiple times on our way to our campsite
![83747 83747](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83764-e0ce74d49e00093245f4180455b06a77.jpg)
A dry patch for our tents located near the confluence of East Whetstone Creek and West Whetstone Creek
![83748 83748](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83765-9032edbcb9039d232e79ba328374037e.jpg)
West Whetstone Creek, looking towards Bobcat Ridge. This is the spot were we cooked and ate our meals.
Day 2 - A day hike up East Whetstone Creek. (9 miles round trip)
A cold 14 degrees when we woke up on day two and the sun did not shine on us until about 8:30 in the morning. We had originally planned on doing a loop hike from camp, starting up East Whetstone Creek and coming back down West Whetstone Creek. Unfortunately our Teton Wilderness Map, and our 7.5 minute maps only had the old trail up East Whetstone on them and not the new maintained trail up on the ridge. So essentially, we spent all morning bushwhacking through willows up East Whetstone Creek until eventually the two trails married up with one another. We set a two o'clock turn around time and decided if we weren't at least halfway through the loop that we would just turn around and head back the way we had hiked up. The trail up East Whetstone was covered in Grizzly tracks that headed both ways.
![83749 83749](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83766-97bdc9676e6ab85ab41bfb6f01a74d52.jpg)
East Whetstone Creek - on the old overgrown trail
![83750 83750](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83767-7e869dea6f96dd48838f77dda299d38a.jpg)
Still on the old trail, looking back down East Whetstone Creek at Whetstone Mountain
![83751 83751](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83768-a20b55cc99544d51dcaf6be665d9988d.jpg)
Found the current, maintained trail at this point
![83752 83752](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83769-addce61a1b6f621c6a2b7de21ca46fc1.jpg)
Large meadow of willows along East Whetstone Creek
![83753 83753](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83770-064f6d54bbbe53fccd8c4227a03c84a6.jpg)
Looking up towards the headwaters of East Whetstone Creek with Big Game Ridge in the far distance.
![83754 83754](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83771-7e0bee4d2fe4d5d60c846f54a5ee93ac.jpg)
On our way back to camp. Looking down at the meadow where our tents are located.
![83755 83755](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83772-73143da59efcf320015083d7d49abbb1.jpg)
Dinner time on West Whetstone Creek. Jackson in the distance heading to our eating area.
Day 3 - A day hike up West Whetstone Creek (11 miles round trip)
Only 18 degrees this morning.
My boots were so frozen when I got up that I had to take my shovel to loosen the boot strings, then pry the top of the boots apart with my hands so that I could get my feet inside them. Quite the task! I won't even talk about trying to get the gaitors on.
![83756 83756](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83773-34507a35a442eebe2e0d20e98a181a2d.jpg)
Cold morning on West Whetstone
![83757 83757](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83774-579ab657fa2671e141fb51419dfab4d5.jpg)
Grizzly tracks on the edge of our meadow where our tents were located
![83758 83758](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83775-eef7f37a8dae7330e46a569defa36cd6.jpg)
Whetstone Mountain
![83760 83760](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83777-f688564a86e4aade80591e6b6fb0c4f1.jpg)
Bobcat Ridge
![83761 83761](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83778-eee3527174b59824a6632c6e61d4505e.jpg)
The trail up West Whetstone Drainage
![83762 83762](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83779-2ca43c57cf2f5550be7c5bcf9a9d8569.jpg)
Some fall color hanging on
![83764 83764](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83781-6a8b4a3564bc23478b9b75c6226c9657.jpg)
Unnamed, frozen pond along our route.
![83765 83765](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83782-c9f6abdb2fd1b816c54e8e987da8d055.jpg)
Jackson was kind enough to take a picture of my good side.
![83766 83766](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83783-2256c3d0256ee7d6e406a19200ac6e4a.jpg)
The saddle that we are hiking to is just left of center of the image.
![83768 83768](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83785-3be5a062e10cfc67239d6a7bd81f53c9.jpg)
Looking back down West Whetstone Creek towards Pacific Creek and into the heart of the Teton Wilderness
![83769 83769](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83786-1eaecd7abb47f52ad52d73df2ee11d97.jpg)
Jackson, checking out the northern end of the Teton Wilderness and Mount Sheridan and Mount Hancock in Yellowstone National Park.
![83770 83770](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83787-83902b041666163101928aecbb33d3a4.jpg)
Mount Sheridan and the Red Mountains, located in Yellowstone National Park
![83771 83771](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83788-d7cbf653a37d968cb6e56c1b93527df6.jpg)
Mount Hancock and Big Game Ridge, located in Yellowstone National Park
![83772 83772](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83789-2f92356d78d1e303de16760349d5d4c8.jpg)
Gravel Mountain to the south, located between Pacific Creek and Lava Creek
![83773 83773](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83790-184775014c715dddd40205352eed2529.jpg)
On our way back to camp, looking down at the meadow where our tents are located.
![83774 83774](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83791-689408a9b257c342bfaa64946d5f0008.jpg)
Victory! We finally got a fire started on evening number three.
Day 4 - Hiking back out to the Pacific Creek Trailhead.
A slow warm up on our trip as it was a toasty 21 degrees the morning of our hike out. During the night though, we were serenaded by coyotes twice, once at around midnight and a second time close to one o'clock. Both times, they yipped, yapped and howled for a long period of time. Pretty cool!
Even though we had been following bear track the entire trip, it wasn't until we were headed out that we ran into a bear along the trail. We stopped and watched it for a couple of minutes just being a bear, before it got wind of us and left the area. It was busy grazing and digging for grubs as it made its way down the hillside towards the trail when it stopped and started smelling the air. After taking a sniff of us it started standing to get a better look. It eventually figured out where we were and gave us a long hard look, standing a couple more times before moving on back up the hill.
![83777 83777](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83794-fb49d795e464d50de409b36ca45a44bd.jpg)
Grizzly tracks heading both ways
![83778 83778](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83795-954e607a0a73044c736b79df1665e345.jpg)
More tracks along the frozen trail
![83779 83779](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83796-3267620dc7adcc0c46ae8d834186d83c.jpg)
Grizzly above the trail
![83780 83780](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83797-ed1dd796d2abe87857601a3903fd97fc.jpg)
Giving us a look
![83781 83781](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83798-7689aae6447814fbe6fa57a9542e66e6.jpg)
Standing, before it dropped to all fours and wandered off.
![83782 83782](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83799-353e163385c2c88e9fa3aca4c2ae029a.jpg)
Another look at the south side of Whetstone Mountain
![83783 83783](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83800-450ba1d9379e6b4d6e68a95c1f1a8195.jpg)
Didn't miss the junction on our way out.
![83784 83784](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83801-50595ccb4920fd85975f2dd4e3178a59.jpg)
Still frozen Pacific Creek Trail. Normally this trail is a muddy mess this time of year with all the horse traffic.
![83785 83785](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/83/83802-7e8f1834023c4b970c1d0514abfe88f4.jpg)
Our ride home.
Once we left the trailhead, we didn't see another person until we got back to the trailhead. We had the whole Whetstone drainage to ourselves, other than the Grizzlies, Elk, Deer and Coyotes of course. A great short trip for sure. Hopefully Jackson will give us his perspective on the trip and share some photos that he took, and thanks Jackson for hanging out with the old man for a few days and congrats on your first Grizzly sighting in the backcountry.
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