Horse Ridge to Mount Febbas (Fitzpatrick Wilderness) - July 2021

[Bob]

Route in red is a little drier

 

[TheMountainRabbit]

Route in red is a little drier View attachment 112070

This area is probably where I'd cross, if I did it again - at least before mid-August or so.

@OldBill's line is pretty similar to what I actually did and there is now (as of 09/2021) a trail pointing roughly that route, but the crossing directly on the trail is intended for horses and you'd most likely need to explore upstream if on foot.

 

[OldBill]

Makes sense. Horses have longer legs. When I sketched @Bob's route looked like it went through whitewater! Probably to make it more "interesting". Just below river narrows, but tough to make out what it's like. There's an oxbow bend a mile or so below that isn't as efficient, but seems like water should be slower there. Unfortunately, Caltopo print reduces res. even more so apologize for blur.

 

[Bob]

Slow looking water is usually deep.... Riffle looking water is usually shsllow .. no heavy white water doesn't work but some whitewater may not be deep

 

[OldBill]

They reconstructed the Ink Wells Cutoff Trail last year after @TheMountainRabbit's trip. Talked to FS in Dubois who said ford is passable by backpackers, but had no recent reports. Maybe easier late season, early morning. @Bob's route still looks drier though. Anyway article is Trail Restoration