Bag Night Challenge 2021

balzaccom · Aug 22, 2021

45 nights now...

A week+ in Arizona at Saguaro, Chricachua, Organ Pipe etc.
A second week+ in Death Valley and the Grand Canyon
Three days on the Central Coast in Cerro Alto:
Four days in Sequoia National Park.
Five days in Kings Canyon,
A four day trip into Buckeye Canyon in the Hoover Wilderness, complete with daily thunderstorms, lots of ticks, and amazing views
Three weeks in Yellowstone, Tetons, Rocky Mountain NP and the Rubies...

And now a short two day trip to Gibbs Lake, east of Yosemite in the Sierra

Here's a trip report with photos: (posted the text on these boards as well)

Getting up to Gibbs

A trip report of our recent trip to Gibbs Lake.DAY ONE: With the smoke issues very much still up in the air (sorry!) but with the summer coming to a close, we decided to take a quick trip up to Gibbs Lake (east side, on the slopes of Mt. Gibbs—the boundary of Yosemite) for a few days of fishing...

www.backpackthesierra.com

And a couple of shots for now:

Nick · Aug 22, 2021

IntrepidXJ · Aug 29, 2021

Grand Mesa Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Grand Mesa Overlook by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Marble Peak View by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Smoky Peaks by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Upper Powderhorn Lake by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

The Morning After by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Campsite #14 by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Slide Lake Evening by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

California Mountain Ridge by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Silver Lake Cabin by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Udink · Aug 29, 2021

I got two more nights in this weekend, exploring some areas around Boulder Mountain and the Awapa Plateau. So far this year I haven't set up a tent or slept in my Jeep, all these nights were spent on a cot under the stars. These latest two are some of my favorite camp spots--close enough to some pretty interesting places, but remote enough that almost nobody goes there.

Total: 17 Nights

1/15/2021 - Dead Mountains, CA
1/16/2021 - Marl Spring, CA
1/17/2021 - Rock Tank, CA
1/18/2021 - Rock Tank, CA
2/26/2021 - Horse Canyon, UT
2/27/2021 - Horse Canyon, UT
3/26/2021 - Beaver Canyon, UT
3/27/2021 - Beaver Canyon, UT
4/30/2021 - West Tavaputs Plateau, UT
5/1/2021 - West Tavaputs Plateau, UT
6/25/2021 - Pine Creek, UT
6/26/2021 - Bone Flat, UT
7/8/2021 - Park's Pasture, UT
7/9/2021 - Park's Pasture, UT
7/10/2021 - Park's Pasture, UT
8/27/2021 - Pine Creek, UT
8/28/2021 - Park's Pasture, UT

Pine Creek

Park's Pasture

Rockskipper · Aug 29, 2021

My total for the year is around 5 months (March 25 through yesterday, August 29). Towns/places I've camped near (too many places to list, so just doing areas):

Glenwood Springs, Redstone, CO
Rangely, Meeker, CO
Price, Huntington Cyn, Green River, Vernal, UT
Driggs, Alta, Swan Valley, ID
Tetons/Gros Ventre
Star Valley, Salt Creek, WY
Pony, MT

This will probably be the end of my bag nights because I sold my rig and am looking for a place to rent before winter hits.

Teton Canyon, where the dogs fussed all night and wouldn't get out of the rig. I determined it was cattle (ironically, they're cow dogs). Later, when a bear came around and was only 10 feet from the rig, they slept like babies.

This bear was was wondering what dog biscuits taste like (or maybe dogs, dunno). Yellowstone Lake.

swmalone · Aug 30, 2021

Total 11 Nights

March 8-10 | Escalante Area | 2 Nights
May 4-6 | Bryce Canyon | 2 Nights
May 28-30 | Donnelly, ID | 2 Casita Nights
June 19-20 | Donnelly, ID | 1 Night
August 13-15 | Donnelly, ID | 2 Nights
August 24-26 | Yellowstone | 2 Nights

Spent two nights at Canyon Village in Yellowstone. I have now more than doubled my meager goal of 5 bag nights. I have to say I didn't enjoy the stay at Canyon Village as much as we did Grant Village last year. The site we had seemed like it was jammed between 2 other sites as an afterthought and our neighbors on one side were a tad inconsiderate with their music.

OwenM · Sep 1, 2021

1. Virgin Falls, TN
2. Sipsey Wilderness, AL
3. Big South Fork, KY
4. Savage Gulf, TN
5. Fiery Gizzard, TN
6. Big South Fork, TN
7-9. Canyonlands NP, UT
10. Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, CO
11. Walls of Jericho, AL
12. Sipsey Wilderness, AL
13. Cheaha Wilderness, AL
14. Cohutta Wilderness, GA
15. Big South Fork, TN
16. Panthertown Valley, NC
17. Mountain Bridge Wilderness, SC
18. Daniel Boone NF, KY
19. Fiery Gizzard, TN

Got one for August, after all. Storms from Hurricane Ida had 70F highs and flash flood warnings in the forecasts, so I couldn't resist. They must have turned and just clipped the area, as it rained all day and night, but never got as bad as I expected. Things cleared up so quickly today, it was almost like nothing had happened.
The waterfalls were cranking pretty good, though...

Then the wildlife came out today. Been a while since I'd seen a timber rattler!

balzaccom · Sep 4, 2021

47 nights now...

A week+ in Arizona at Saguaro, Chricachua, Organ Pipe etc.
A second week+ in Death Valley and the Grand Canyon
Three days on the Central Coast in Cerro Alto:
Four days in Sequoia National Park.
Five days in Kings Canyon,
A four day trip into Buckeye Canyon in the Hoover Wilderness
Three weeks in Yellowstone, Tetons, Rocky Mountain NP and the Rubies...
A short trip to Gibbs Lake, east of Yosemite in the Sierra
And since the Inyo NF (And others in the Sierra Nevada) closed on September 1 for two weeks because of fire dangers...we headed down to Santa Barbara and the Los Padres NF where the air was clean and there were a few pictographs we wanted to check out!

These are Chumash, from about 600 years ago.

The beach was nice, too!

It wasn't the Sierra,,,but it was open.

scatman · Sep 4, 2021

Rockskipper said:
My total for the year is around 5 months (March 25 through yesterday, August 29). Towns/places I've camped near (too many places to list, so just doing areas):

Glenwood Springs, Redstone, CO
Rangely, Meeker, CO
Price, Huntington Cyn, Green River, Vernal, UT
Driggs, Alta, Swan Valley, ID
Tetons/Gros Ventre
Star Valley, Salt Creek, WY
Pony, MT

This will probably be the end of my bag nights because I sold my rig and am looking for a place to rent before winter hits.

View attachment 101159
Teton Canyon, where the dogs fussed all night and wouldn't get out of the rig. I determined it was cattle (ironically, they're cow dogs). Later, when a bear came around and was only 10 feet from the rig, they slept like babies.

View attachment 101160
This bear was was wondering what dog biscuits taste like (or maybe dogs, dunno). Yellowstone Lake.

Did you suggest to the folks around Pony, MT, that they should rename the area to Mule? Sounds more grown up to me.

Nice bear shot by the way.

Kmatjhwy · Sep 4, 2021

Now as for myself, have been camping out since I left my housing here in Jackson, Wy. at the end of May, guess now over three months. No photos for live without a camera. First birded all over here in Jackson and the area, then up to Alaska, and now back here to Jackson. Then starting probably tomorrow biking to Rexburg for a Primitive Skills Gathering, then biking to Southern Utah, Arizona, and wherever life takes me. Since am now retired, it is all hiking, biking, and birding. There is soooooo much to see and experience in life. Yes since leaving my housing at the end of May, have not slept in a bed anywhere for not even a single night. Every night it is in the tent and sleeping bag somewhere. And with the way it looks, it could stay this way for days, weeks, and months to come. Have to get out and see the sun with everyday being a new adventure.

swmalone · Sep 7, 2021

Total 14 Nights

March 8-10 | Escalante Area | 2 Nights
May 4-6 | Bryce Canyon | 2 Nights
May 28-30 | Donnelly, ID | 2 Casita Nights
June 19-20 | Donnelly, ID | 1 Night
August 13-15 | Donnelly, ID | 2 Nights
August 24-26 | Yellowstone | 2 Nights
September 3-6 | Donnelly, ID | 3 Casita Nights

Spent Labor Day weekend in Donnelly with Kim's parents. We made this a non-working weekend, even though her Dad kept trying to find work to do on their lots whenever we gave him the chance. We did some fishing, paddle boarding, walking around Cascade Lake, and driving around exploring. I forgot pictures of the camp and I really wish I had taken pictures of the Salmon spawning on the South Fork of the Salmon River. It made fishing hard because you aren't allowed to fish for them so if you see any you have to pack up, but it was fun to watch them in the water.

I did catch this gorgeous little brook trout at horsethief reservoir on a size 18 sparkle dun when they started rising for mayflies. Surprised to catch this there since it is primarily stocked rainbows and a few wild browns.

Nick · Sep 7, 2021

OwenM · Sep 15, 2021

1. Virgin Falls, TN
2. Sipsey Wilderness, AL
3. Big South Fork, KY
4. Savage Gulf, TN
5. Fiery Gizzard, TN
6. Big South Fork, TN
7-9. Canyonlands NP, UT
10. Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, CO
11. Walls of Jericho, AL
12. Sipsey Wilderness, AL
13. Cheaha Wilderness, AL
14. Cohutta Wilderness, GA
15. Big South Fork, TN
16. Panthertown Valley, NC
17. Mountain Bridge Wilderness, SC
18. Daniel Boone NF, KY
19. Fiery Gizzard, TN
20-24. High Uintas Wilderness

5 from the Uintas. Should have been 6, but I had some ongoing foot issues, and can't tolerate wearing any of my hiking shoes any more.
Hiked from Uintah Lake around Rock Creek Basin to over Dead Horse Pass and back to nearby Ledge Lake, then from there back to Hayden Pass via the Highline, Jack and Jill Lakes, and some more crosscountry through the burn in that area-all in my Xero sandals. Before that, I'd also hiked offtrail in them from East Red Castle Lake to the smaller lake below Upper Red Castle Lake(where I rejoined the trail the rest of the way up).

Had Upper Red Castle all to myself, and camped near the outlet, so I could sleep to the sound of running water.

After hiking out from Red Castle, I drove around to the Mirror Lake Parkway, and went up the Whiskey Creek Trail to camp at Bourbon Lake.

The next morning, I hiked out Whiskey Creek, and in the UHT at Hayden Pass.
Just over Rocky Sea Pass, my extremely anti-social self unexpectedly took on a part-time job as a goatherder with some goatpackers I met. Well, 6 of 7 were women, which is the difference for me between having near infinite patience and zero(for men). They invited me to join them, since they were circumnavigating the Rock Creek Basin, as I'd been thinking of doing. I had no idea how much fun hanging with them for the rest of the day was going to be! We also saw about a dozen total of "real" mountain goats along the way.

From our camp at Uintah Lake.

In the morning, I struck out in my sandals for Dead Horse Pass and beyond.

^^That was as far as I went. Halfway down the other side of the pass, I said "screw this, I'm done"(every painful step forward was another added to the return trip, after all), turned around and went back to Ledge Lake, where my new goatpacker friends were camping that night.
Meanwhile, storms had been rolling through like waves, and while only one settled in and lasted very long, I thought it was notable that it rained TEN different times in the same day.
From Ledge Lake, I hiked out to Hayden Pass, then drove to Evanston.

My feet actually did better and better the longer I hiked in the sandals, and the next day were ready to go again.
For whatever reason, I had a pair of Xero shoes that I use for working out in my luggage, and wore them to cap things off with the Lofty Lake Loop and Cuberant Lake, where I spent the last night of my trip. Much better with more stability and protection!

I guess I'm hiking in "barefoot shoes" from now on? How bizarre...

Jackson · Sep 15, 2021

OwenM said:
1. Virgin Falls, TN
2. Sipsey Wilderness, AL
3. Big South Fork, KY
4. Savage Gulf, TN
5. Fiery Gizzard, TN
6. Big South Fork, TN
7-9. Canyonlands NP, UT
10. Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, CO
11. Walls of Jericho, AL
12. Sipsey Wilderness, AL
13. Cheaha Wilderness, AL
14. Cohutta Wilderness, GA
15. Big South Fork, TN
16. Panthertown Valley, NC
17. Mountain Bridge Wilderness, SC
18. Daniel Boone NF, KY
19. Fiery Gizzard, TN
20-24. High Uintas Wilderness

5 from the Uintas. Should have been 6, but I had some ongoing foot issues, and can't tolerate wearing any of my hiking shoes any more.
Hiked from Uintah Lake around Rock Creek Basin to over Dead Horse Pass and back to nearby Ledge Lake, then from there back to Hayden Pass via the Highline, Jack and Jill Lakes, and some more crosscountry through the burn in that area-all in my Xero sandals. Before that, I'd also hiked offtrail in them from East Red Castle Lake to the smaller lake below Upper Red Castle Lake(where I rejoined the trail the rest of the way up).
View attachment 101652
Had Upper Red Castle all to myself, and camped near the outlet, so I could sleep to the sound of running water.
View attachment 101651
After hiking out from Red Castle, I drove around to the Mirror Lake Parkway, and went up the Whiskey Creek Trail to camp at Bourbon Lake.
View attachment 101653
The next morning, I hiked out Whiskey Creek, and in the UHT at Hayden Pass.
Just over Rocky Sea Pass, my extremely anti-social self unexpectedly took on a part-time job as a goatherder with some goatpackers I met. Well, 6 of 7 were women, which is the difference for me between having near infinite patience and zero(for men). They invited me to join them, since they were circumnavigating the Rock Creek Basin, as I'd been thinking of doing. I had no idea how much fun hanging with them for the rest of the day was going to be! We also saw about a dozen total of "real" mountain goats along the way.
View attachment 101656
From our camp at Uintah Lake.
View attachment 101654
In the morning, I struck out in my sandals for Dead Horse Pass and beyond.
View attachment 101655
^^That was as far as I went. Halfway down the other side of the pass, I said "screw this, I'm done"(every painful step forward was another added to the return trip, after all), turned around and went back to Ledge Lake, where my new goatpacker friends were camping that night.
Meanwhile, storms had been rolling through like waves, and while only one settled in and lasted very long, I thought it was notable that it rained TEN different times in the same day.
From Ledge Lake, I hiked out to Hayden Pass, then drove to Evanston.

My feet actually did better and better the longer I hiked in the sandals, and the next day were ready to go again.
For whatever reason, I had a pair of Xero shoes that I use for working out in my luggage, and wore them to cap things off with the Lofty Lake Loop and Cuberant Lake, where I spent the last night of my trip. Much better with more stability and protection!
View attachment 101650

That comment would make a great standalone trip report, honestly! Haha.

OwenM · Sep 15, 2021

Thanks. Sometimes my bag night posts are substitutes for not doing trip reports!

Yvonne · Sep 17, 2021

white%20dome%20geyser%20at%20night%20copy-XL.jpg

balzaccom · Sep 18, 2021

49 nights now...

A week+ in Arizona at Saguaro, Chricachua, Organ Pipe etc.
A second week+ in Death Valley and the Grand Canyon
Three days on the Central Coast in Cerro Alto:
Four days in Sequoia National Park.
Five days in Kings Canyon,
A four day trip into Buckeye Canyon in the Hoover Wilderness
Three weeks in Yellowstone, Tetons, Rocky Mountain NP and the Rubies...
A short trip to Gibbs Lake, east of Yosemite in the Sierra
Santa Barbara and the Los Padres NF where the air was clean
A quick trip to Tuolumne Meadows and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne--smoky, but still spectacular

swmalone · Sep 19, 2021

Yvonne said:
Total: 45 nights

3/14/21: Zion Wilderness | 1 night |
2/28/21: Zion Wilderness | 1 night |
4/8/21: La Verkin Creek, Zion | 1 night |
4/14-4/18/21: Escalante area |4 nights|
7/10-7/12/21: Arrowhead CG, Umpqua NF, OR |2 nights|
7/12-7/23/21: Mount St. Helens, WA | 12 nights|
7/23 -7/26/21: Columbia River Gorge, OR |3 nights|
8/7 -8/11/21: Lake Powell |4 nights|
8/30/21: Great Basin NP |1 night|
8/31/21: Craters of the Moon NM |1 night|
9/1 -9/16/21: Yellowstone NP |15 nights|

Great pictures! It seems the smoke cleared up a little when you were there.

IntrepidXJ · Sep 25, 2021

Humphreys Peak Summit by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

La Mosca Lookout Tower by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Mount Taylor Summit by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Williams Lake by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Wheeler Peak Summit by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Spread Eagle Peak by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Rito Alto Peak Flag by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Southern Sawatch Morning by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Chris in Red Canyon by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Swallow Island Camp by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

High Peaks of the Grand Mesa by Randy Langstraat, on Flickr

Yvonne · Sep 25, 2021

swmalone said:
Great pictures! It seems the smoke cleared up a little when you were there.

on some days it did, on others it was really bad and I just day hiked without taking many pictures at all

Bag Night Challenge 2021

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