b.stark
Forever Wandering
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2015
- Messages
- 1,182
At the beginning of the month, I lucked into getting a permit for a backcountry site (CP1) in the Needles District that I've wanted for several years. I thought about getting another night, but the forecast was pretty uninspiring so I settled for just one. Temps were cool with highs in the 40s and an observed low of 33 degrees. Snow flurries blew through on and off for much of the hike with more steady snow overnight to about noon of the second day. I did start off with some pretty nice skies, but the snow began as I left Druid Arch.
Started at the Needles Campground and took the scenic route to my destination in Chesler Park.
I headed up Big Springs canyon, which has some impressive cryptobiotic crusts. I've hiked up and down this canyon more than any other trail in the Needles.
Eventually the trail heads up to some slickrock benches and I crossed the heads of a couple canyons before going down an arm of Elephant Canyon.
The trail passes through a couple joints
A couple signature trail features of the Needles
Next I headed up to Druid Arch. I was last here on a day hike in 2017. It's a very impressive arch, though I wasn't as wowed as on my first trip. It was good to revisit the spot.
Next I doubled back toward Chesler Park. I was getting pretty tired by the time I started the climb into the park... I had been putting in OK miles before heading out for this trip, but clearly not enough. I started grumbling at the scrambles that I usually enjoy, but only a bit.
Eventually I did make it to the park and to my campsite. I started hiking about 10:30AM and got to the campsite at 5:00PM. Set up camp and immediately set to making some food as I had not stopped for a proper meal during the hike in. For a short while a bit of light made it through the clouds.
I stayed plenty warm during the night, but could hear it snowing on and off. It was cold and damp in the morning.
After breakfast and packing up, I headed for the Joint Trail. Was planning to do a loop through a couple other trails but realized that I had forgotten my InReach at the campsite, so instead I did an out and back, stopping at the campsite to pick up the lonely InReach. I surprised a day hiker who had stopped at the site for a brief rest (to be honest we surprised each other).
After that, I headed back for the trailhead. It continued to snow for most of the hike back, just enough to keep the ground a bit damp. I suffered a bit for my ambition on the previous day's push with a full pack (including 6 liters of water at the start, though it turned out there were plenty of potholes from recent rains and snows). I did a little extra suffering on the scrambles, but made steady progress toward the trailhead.
The skies were darkening as I approached the trailhead. I made it about 2PM.
All in all a worthwhile hike, though I did find myself musing about my ability to hit the desert when it's raining or snowing (this has happened to me many times). In May I should be back to the desert and I'm hoping to get in a couple 2-3 day backpacking trips done in different areas, hopefully with a bit more inspiring weather.
Started at the Needles Campground and took the scenic route to my destination in Chesler Park.
I headed up Big Springs canyon, which has some impressive cryptobiotic crusts. I've hiked up and down this canyon more than any other trail in the Needles.
Eventually the trail heads up to some slickrock benches and I crossed the heads of a couple canyons before going down an arm of Elephant Canyon.
The trail passes through a couple joints
A couple signature trail features of the Needles
Next I headed up to Druid Arch. I was last here on a day hike in 2017. It's a very impressive arch, though I wasn't as wowed as on my first trip. It was good to revisit the spot.
Next I doubled back toward Chesler Park. I was getting pretty tired by the time I started the climb into the park... I had been putting in OK miles before heading out for this trip, but clearly not enough. I started grumbling at the scrambles that I usually enjoy, but only a bit.
Eventually I did make it to the park and to my campsite. I started hiking about 10:30AM and got to the campsite at 5:00PM. Set up camp and immediately set to making some food as I had not stopped for a proper meal during the hike in. For a short while a bit of light made it through the clouds.
I stayed plenty warm during the night, but could hear it snowing on and off. It was cold and damp in the morning.
After breakfast and packing up, I headed for the Joint Trail. Was planning to do a loop through a couple other trails but realized that I had forgotten my InReach at the campsite, so instead I did an out and back, stopping at the campsite to pick up the lonely InReach. I surprised a day hiker who had stopped at the site for a brief rest (to be honest we surprised each other).
After that, I headed back for the trailhead. It continued to snow for most of the hike back, just enough to keep the ground a bit damp. I suffered a bit for my ambition on the previous day's push with a full pack (including 6 liters of water at the start, though it turned out there were plenty of potholes from recent rains and snows). I did a little extra suffering on the scrambles, but made steady progress toward the trailhead.
The skies were darkening as I approached the trailhead. I made it about 2PM.
All in all a worthwhile hike, though I did find myself musing about my ability to hit the desert when it's raining or snowing (this has happened to me many times). In May I should be back to the desert and I'm hoping to get in a couple 2-3 day backpacking trips done in different areas, hopefully with a bit more inspiring weather.
