Scott Chandler
Wildness is a necessity- John Muir
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2014
- Messages
- 1,099
8/28-30/2015
I showed up in the office on the 28th and had a big question thrown my way: "Would you like to go on a fire starting next week?" I had just gotten my Red Card this year and it would be my first fire so with a little trepidation I gave an affirmative. Given the day of leaving as "Monday or Tuesday" I shortened my wilderness patrol plans to come out Sunday but still visit a place I've always wanted to visit: Wilderness Basin.
Newly hatched butterflies I headed out on the trail. I made it all the way to Lake Helen with thoughts of firefighting in my head before the prettiness forced it out. It was an uneventful patrol as I worked my way around Lakes Helen and Marian before calling it a night.
Lake Marian
The next day I headed out for Wilderness Basin. Twas the perfect day for it as well as I rounded Mistymoon Lake and the base of Cloud Peak.
Usually people get into the basin by following the drainage from Lake Solitude. Looking at the map, I thought I could scape along a bench and find myself halfway up the basin already.
Bomber Mountain from "Bench" Pond
Lake Solitude below
It turns out my bench ledged out and I had to scramble around in some awkward country to get into the basin. I guess there is a reason why people don't use that way. That said, I had fun, startled a herd of elk, and got cool views as I rounded the ridge and saw into the Basin.
My route landed me right at the shores of Middle Cloud Peak Lake with Cloud, Woolsey and Blacktooth Peaks towering above. It was a neat spot.
Measuring time I could only explore up the basin a little further before having to turn around. The lakes above MCP Lake were pretty cool, in all close to the canyon's walls and the like.
Next time I visit the area I will have to camp out as opposed to using our base camp. Going further looked neat.
Heading back I decided to go down the basin instead of using the same ledgey mess I came in through. It gave me the perfect opportunity to check out the waterfall below MCP Lake.
While MCP Lake was right above treeline, the lower drainage was a great mix of tree, lake and rock. It was gorgeous country.
At one of the lower lakes I encountered a huge bull moose. I'm impressed the guy made it up into the basin and he was definitely enjoying the fruits of his labors with all the willows.
It was amazing how the views up and down the drainage were all so grand. This area is definitely one of the most scenic around the CPW.
Finally I hit the last of the wonders of this valley: the Waterfalls to Solitude, as I call them. A good coulple hundred feet of cascades down to official trail. Waterfalls aren't common in the CPW and especially not at this scale.
And from there the hard part commensed, hiking up the trail back up to Mistymoon and camp back at Lake Helen. Like I said, I have to plan this adventure differently in the future.
The next day involved a mellow patrol of the area and hiking out to discover I would be leaving early on Monday for Libby, Montana and the Goat Rock Fire Complex. Hence the wait and subsequently hazy report. I hope y'all enjoyed the pictures at least!
Featured image for home page:
I showed up in the office on the 28th and had a big question thrown my way: "Would you like to go on a fire starting next week?" I had just gotten my Red Card this year and it would be my first fire so with a little trepidation I gave an affirmative. Given the day of leaving as "Monday or Tuesday" I shortened my wilderness patrol plans to come out Sunday but still visit a place I've always wanted to visit: Wilderness Basin.
Newly hatched butterflies I headed out on the trail. I made it all the way to Lake Helen with thoughts of firefighting in my head before the prettiness forced it out. It was an uneventful patrol as I worked my way around Lakes Helen and Marian before calling it a night.
Lake Marian
The next day I headed out for Wilderness Basin. Twas the perfect day for it as well as I rounded Mistymoon Lake and the base of Cloud Peak.
Usually people get into the basin by following the drainage from Lake Solitude. Looking at the map, I thought I could scape along a bench and find myself halfway up the basin already.
Bomber Mountain from "Bench" Pond
Lake Solitude below
It turns out my bench ledged out and I had to scramble around in some awkward country to get into the basin. I guess there is a reason why people don't use that way. That said, I had fun, startled a herd of elk, and got cool views as I rounded the ridge and saw into the Basin.
My route landed me right at the shores of Middle Cloud Peak Lake with Cloud, Woolsey and Blacktooth Peaks towering above. It was a neat spot.
Measuring time I could only explore up the basin a little further before having to turn around. The lakes above MCP Lake were pretty cool, in all close to the canyon's walls and the like.
Next time I visit the area I will have to camp out as opposed to using our base camp. Going further looked neat.
Heading back I decided to go down the basin instead of using the same ledgey mess I came in through. It gave me the perfect opportunity to check out the waterfall below MCP Lake.
While MCP Lake was right above treeline, the lower drainage was a great mix of tree, lake and rock. It was gorgeous country.
At one of the lower lakes I encountered a huge bull moose. I'm impressed the guy made it up into the basin and he was definitely enjoying the fruits of his labors with all the willows.
It was amazing how the views up and down the drainage were all so grand. This area is definitely one of the most scenic around the CPW.
Finally I hit the last of the wonders of this valley: the Waterfalls to Solitude, as I call them. A good coulple hundred feet of cascades down to official trail. Waterfalls aren't common in the CPW and especially not at this scale.
And from there the hard part commensed, hiking up the trail back up to Mistymoon and camp back at Lake Helen. Like I said, I have to plan this adventure differently in the future.
The next day involved a mellow patrol of the area and hiking out to discover I would be leaving early on Monday for Libby, Montana and the Goat Rock Fire Complex. Hence the wait and subsequently hazy report. I hope y'all enjoyed the pictures at least!
Featured image for home page:
