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- Feb 15, 2020
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- 580
Last year I got a group of my college buddies to bring their kids up to Wyoming for a great backpacking trip in the Winds. (Very similar to this trip I did with my son and brother in 2023: Silas Canyon (Popo Agie Wilderness) - August 2023, but a lot more chaos. 
) I was thrilled when most decided to bring their kids out into the backcountry again this year!
After figuring out everyone's availability, we settled on meeting up in New Mexico for a journey into the Pecos Wilderness. It took me a while to settle on a specific destination, but eventually I decided on hiking up Jicarita Creek until we got out of the trees but still had access to water. There's a very weak FS trail for the first 2.5-ish miles, but we had a fun bushwhacking, rock-hopping adventure after that. Was very slow going, but I think everyone appreciated the adventure and solitude of our destination. Conditions-wise, it couldn't have been much better - though it was quite windy in the open.
On the second day four of us took an optional trek up Jicarita Peak. A fairly straightforward climb, but pretty impressive for the young ones.
Day 1: Santa Barbara TH to Jicarita Creek
We met up in Taos the night before, but we had a leisurely breakfast before hitting the trail. We did have one of our young flatlanders fighting mild elevation sickness, but he was a trooper nonetheless. Thankfully he bounced back quickly, too.
Almost immediately found ourselves crossing the Rio Santa Barbara - an exciting event for everyone.
The lower sections were pretty dense brush, but even where the trail faded out it was pretty easy going. (Fair bit of elevation gain though - over 2.5k' in our 3.5 miles.)
More and more open spaces as we gained elevation.
My son navigating the tougher terrain as we climbed above the trail.
These rocks are pretty big for little legs, but my youngest enjoyed the rock-hopping.
Home, sweet home. And a nostalgic look back at some of the many tents I've managed to acquire. (Most of the backpacking gear my buddies use is just my old stuff.)
Day 2: Jicarita Peak
The next morning after some breakfast, a few of us decided to climb up Jicarita Peak. One of my buddies had no real desire to climb any further up, so his son and my 7 y/o decided to hang out at camp. By all accounts they had a wonderful day.
But the other four of us: myself, my 10 y/o, my friend, and his 6 y/o; set off to climb Jicarita Peak. I knew it was a bit of a stretch for the younger ones, but we took our time, enjoyed the weather, and all four of us made it up. I think it was the highest elevation my friend and his son had ever visited!
My son making his way up - our tents barely visible in the distance.
Enjoying a breather after the first rocky section!
Approaching the ridgeline!
First look into the opposite drainage. We spotted a pretty good size bighorn nursery, but I guess I never managed to get any pictures.
360° from summit of Jicarita Peak. Broad rocky summit with plenty of wind! We took cover in a couple manmade wind breaks before beginning our descent.
Headed down.
A look back at our route up. We decided to swing out wide for our descent and follow a friendly looking drainage back down to camp.
Home again!
Day 3: Jicarita Creek to Santa Barbara TH
Simple return day, but we took a slightly different route down to the trail. Another wonderful day in the mountains - and I think everyone is up for another trip next year!
Headed right into the trees.
A little damp near the creek as we followed it more closely on our return. Nobody in this crew is scared of a couple wet feet though - (at least not any more. lol)
Not many bears out here - but there's at least one wandering around Jicarita Creek! We found a fair bit of scat in the area.
The aspen groves in the lower section were extensive - would be a nice place to see in the fall, I imagine.
Overall it was just another wonderful trip. These trips with a larger group - and where I'm doing most of the planning/outfitting - are disproportionately exhausting for the ground they cover. But thanks to wonderful company and incredible kids, they are even more disproportionately rewarding. I'm so thankful that we've been making this happen - I hope it continues for many more years!
Should have a Brooks Range report coming soon - not sure if it'll get posted before I head up to the Absarokas this weekend or not. Plenty more to come for 2025!
) I was thrilled when most decided to bring their kids out into the backcountry again this year!After figuring out everyone's availability, we settled on meeting up in New Mexico for a journey into the Pecos Wilderness. It took me a while to settle on a specific destination, but eventually I decided on hiking up Jicarita Creek until we got out of the trees but still had access to water. There's a very weak FS trail for the first 2.5-ish miles, but we had a fun bushwhacking, rock-hopping adventure after that. Was very slow going, but I think everyone appreciated the adventure and solitude of our destination. Conditions-wise, it couldn't have been much better - though it was quite windy in the open.
On the second day four of us took an optional trek up Jicarita Peak. A fairly straightforward climb, but pretty impressive for the young ones.
Day 1: Santa Barbara TH to Jicarita Creek
We met up in Taos the night before, but we had a leisurely breakfast before hitting the trail. We did have one of our young flatlanders fighting mild elevation sickness, but he was a trooper nonetheless. Thankfully he bounced back quickly, too.
Almost immediately found ourselves crossing the Rio Santa Barbara - an exciting event for everyone.
The lower sections were pretty dense brush, but even where the trail faded out it was pretty easy going. (Fair bit of elevation gain though - over 2.5k' in our 3.5 miles.)
More and more open spaces as we gained elevation.
My son navigating the tougher terrain as we climbed above the trail.
These rocks are pretty big for little legs, but my youngest enjoyed the rock-hopping.
Home, sweet home. And a nostalgic look back at some of the many tents I've managed to acquire. (Most of the backpacking gear my buddies use is just my old stuff.)
Day 2: Jicarita Peak
The next morning after some breakfast, a few of us decided to climb up Jicarita Peak. One of my buddies had no real desire to climb any further up, so his son and my 7 y/o decided to hang out at camp. By all accounts they had a wonderful day.
But the other four of us: myself, my 10 y/o, my friend, and his 6 y/o; set off to climb Jicarita Peak. I knew it was a bit of a stretch for the younger ones, but we took our time, enjoyed the weather, and all four of us made it up. I think it was the highest elevation my friend and his son had ever visited!
My son making his way up - our tents barely visible in the distance.
Enjoying a breather after the first rocky section!
Approaching the ridgeline!
First look into the opposite drainage. We spotted a pretty good size bighorn nursery, but I guess I never managed to get any pictures.
360° from summit of Jicarita Peak. Broad rocky summit with plenty of wind! We took cover in a couple manmade wind breaks before beginning our descent.
Headed down.
A look back at our route up. We decided to swing out wide for our descent and follow a friendly looking drainage back down to camp.
Home again!
Day 3: Jicarita Creek to Santa Barbara TH
Simple return day, but we took a slightly different route down to the trail. Another wonderful day in the mountains - and I think everyone is up for another trip next year!
Headed right into the trees.
A little damp near the creek as we followed it more closely on our return. Nobody in this crew is scared of a couple wet feet though - (at least not any more.
lol)Not many bears out here - but there's at least one wandering around Jicarita Creek! We found a fair bit of scat in the area.
The aspen groves in the lower section were extensive - would be a nice place to see in the fall, I imagine.
Overall it was just another wonderful trip. These trips with a larger group - and where I'm doing most of the planning/outfitting - are disproportionately exhausting for the ground they cover. But thanks to wonderful company and incredible kids, they are even more disproportionately rewarding. I'm so thankful that we've been making this happen - I hope it continues for many more years!
Should have a Brooks Range report coming soon - not sure if it'll get posted before I head up to the Absarokas this weekend or not. Plenty more to come for 2025!
