cartwheelenjoyer
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2025
- Messages
- 2
Note: This is being posted under Hiking & Camping instead of Backpacking as I didn't think an overnighter justified posting as a Backpacking Trip Report.
Labor Day Weekend supplied me with a much needed four days off from work. I originally was on the fence on whether I wanted to do the Solitude Trail. The weather report looked to be quite appealing. The tentative plan was start/end from the West Tensleep Trailhead. This would mean the loop would be a slight bit longer than other entry points.
Friday morning came with me prepping to go... fishing. I kicked my feet and instead dayhiked to Lake Helen.
I wasn't very successful fishing, but with touching grass had found the desire to attempt the Solitude Trail. I ran back home and loaded my pack that night.
West Tensleep Trailhead was the destination once more on Saturday. A empty parking spot was nowhere to be found so I parked my truck off the dirt road into the day area/long term parking. By 9:30 a.m., I had my permit filled out and was on the move.
Lake Marion
Mistymoon Lake
The decision was made to go counterclockwise as I wanted to go over Florence Pass first. This choice would make for a lovely Sunday (I am lying).
The initial climb from Mistymoon towards Florence Pass.
Looking back on Gunboat (Left) and Fortress (Right) Lake while halfway to Florence Lake.
Florence Pass
Inserting an obligatory Pika picture.
The trail up until the pass was smooth sailing. With it being Labor Day Weekend, there were a lot of fellow hikers up to Mistymoon Lake. The amount of human presence fell off hard after descending the pass. I didn't see anyone until after taking the left to Elk Lake... a whopping one person.
North Clear Creek
Medicine Park
Dropping into Elk Lake after passing Ant Hill.
Due to starting on Saturday, I had been hoping to crash at Willow Park Reservoir so to make mileage for Sunday and Monday managable. Early in the day, that goal looked to be acheivable. The climb up and past Ant Hill became the death of me as I ended up bonking. I made it into Elk Lake at around 7 p.m. with about another hour of light. I cooked dinner in the dark and fell asleep to the bugling of Elk on the other side of the lake.
Less appealing of a sound to wake up to in the morning was cattle. With not hitting my goal the previous night and work looming Tuesday, I mulled my options over breakfast. Instead of forcing the issue of finishing the loop, I chose to retrace my steps back to the trailhead. Florence Pass called my name once more.
Camp at Elk Lake.
Cairns along the trail passing Ant Hill.
Subalpine Fir galore.
The climb back up to the pass was gradual and quiet. I ended up belting out some Stone Temple Pilots at times to liven up the mood. Climbing the scree on trail up to the pass was the most enthralling part of the day. That and the vast amount of Flickers being flushed by my approach. Once over the pass, I took a snack break coupled with a power nap at Florence Lake. This gave me the energy to finish the hike out.
Medicine Park
Mistymoon Lake
I ended up making it back to West Tensleep Lake at around 6 p.m. on Sunday. A successful long overnighter, but not a successful attempt at completing the Solitude Trail. My mileage was about 45 miles more or less.
A lot of the trail was simply just me barrelling past everything. I passed a bull moose at Lake Marion and a mother with a calf before Ant Hill. I wasn't particularly interested in mingling with the mama moose though as she was within 75 feet of the trail. I do wish I had captured more pictures throughout the jaunt.
I rediscovered my account here and took the opportunity to finally give a trip report. Thanks for the read and hopefully this was engaging!
Labor Day Weekend supplied me with a much needed four days off from work. I originally was on the fence on whether I wanted to do the Solitude Trail. The weather report looked to be quite appealing. The tentative plan was start/end from the West Tensleep Trailhead. This would mean the loop would be a slight bit longer than other entry points.
Friday morning came with me prepping to go... fishing. I kicked my feet and instead dayhiked to Lake Helen.
I wasn't very successful fishing, but with touching grass had found the desire to attempt the Solitude Trail. I ran back home and loaded my pack that night.
West Tensleep Trailhead was the destination once more on Saturday. A empty parking spot was nowhere to be found so I parked my truck off the dirt road into the day area/long term parking. By 9:30 a.m., I had my permit filled out and was on the move.
Lake Marion
Mistymoon Lake
The decision was made to go counterclockwise as I wanted to go over Florence Pass first. This choice would make for a lovely Sunday (I am lying).
The initial climb from Mistymoon towards Florence Pass.
Looking back on Gunboat (Left) and Fortress (Right) Lake while halfway to Florence Lake.
Florence Pass
Inserting an obligatory Pika picture.
The trail up until the pass was smooth sailing. With it being Labor Day Weekend, there were a lot of fellow hikers up to Mistymoon Lake. The amount of human presence fell off hard after descending the pass. I didn't see anyone until after taking the left to Elk Lake... a whopping one person.
North Clear Creek
Medicine Park
Dropping into Elk Lake after passing Ant Hill.
Due to starting on Saturday, I had been hoping to crash at Willow Park Reservoir so to make mileage for Sunday and Monday managable. Early in the day, that goal looked to be acheivable. The climb up and past Ant Hill became the death of me as I ended up bonking. I made it into Elk Lake at around 7 p.m. with about another hour of light. I cooked dinner in the dark and fell asleep to the bugling of Elk on the other side of the lake.
Less appealing of a sound to wake up to in the morning was cattle. With not hitting my goal the previous night and work looming Tuesday, I mulled my options over breakfast. Instead of forcing the issue of finishing the loop, I chose to retrace my steps back to the trailhead. Florence Pass called my name once more.
Camp at Elk Lake.
Cairns along the trail passing Ant Hill.
Subalpine Fir galore.
The climb back up to the pass was gradual and quiet. I ended up belting out some Stone Temple Pilots at times to liven up the mood. Climbing the scree on trail up to the pass was the most enthralling part of the day. That and the vast amount of Flickers being flushed by my approach. Once over the pass, I took a snack break coupled with a power nap at Florence Lake. This gave me the energy to finish the hike out.
Medicine Park
Mistymoon Lake
I ended up making it back to West Tensleep Lake at around 6 p.m. on Sunday. A successful long overnighter, but not a successful attempt at completing the Solitude Trail. My mileage was about 45 miles more or less.
A lot of the trail was simply just me barrelling past everything. I passed a bull moose at Lake Marion and a mother with a calf before Ant Hill. I wasn't particularly interested in mingling with the mama moose though as she was within 75 feet of the trail. I do wish I had captured more pictures throughout the jaunt.
I rediscovered my account here and took the opportunity to finally give a trip report. Thanks for the read and hopefully this was engaging!
