Dreamer
off route
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2016
- Messages
- 290
Mt Zirkel Wilderness 2012 July 10-13
I will be starting my backpacking for the season in mid/late June and am getting excited. Spending much time looking over past hikes, which I always enjoy. This trip was my first of the year after the long (2400 miles in 3 days) drive from my base in the North East.
![1879FF14-E2D4-4081-86F4-DF7C53D9E829.jpeg 1879FF14-E2D4-4081-86F4-DF7C53D9E829.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64305-d7a19722bba7d9b04075884f1db16a5b.jpg)
leaving Maine
![0891ADEA-A242-4C85-9CB8-415046159321.jpeg 0891ADEA-A242-4C85-9CB8-415046159321.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64306-a5b1403dd689051741e131dd6e01ed7a.jpg)
somewhere near Chicago
![249DB556-3F40-4CF9-B12C-9B65A1E64DC4.jpeg 249DB556-3F40-4CF9-B12C-9B65A1E64DC4.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64307-27df693204042c46c35cad03a9d1ae8d.jpg)
the Mississippi
![6A80AFA7-CC60-4731-8788-618B8AA0D1A5.jpeg 6A80AFA7-CC60-4731-8788-618B8AA0D1A5.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64308-6e3910c25ba58233c671faac85c80d80.jpg)
Iowa
![29ECBD7E-B4DB-4CB0-8E43-4E21CC1648C9.jpeg 29ECBD7E-B4DB-4CB0-8E43-4E21CC1648C9.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64309-d0b12f2a011e5921a39e5df0f8e41018.jpg)
Nebraska
![2DDC8EB2-0681-434C-91B3-E9955B080554.jpeg 2DDC8EB2-0681-434C-91B3-E9955B080554.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64310-51b8ddb65378cda10b69a9f158261264.jpg)
end of the asphalt
A former backpacking buddy, lost to rafting and sloth, introduced me to the small Mt Zirkel Wilderness along the Continental Divide in Colorado just south of Wyoming in 2003. I like using this area to warm up and acclimate after not hiking seriously since the last fall and coming from about 350’. I started out midday after sleeping near the trailhead and sorting my food and gear.
![F8BE85E8-82CE-4A27-989C-9EA4F8D33B35.jpeg F8BE85E8-82CE-4A27-989C-9EA4F8D33B35.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64311-db8564f69f50c36b8ebd26bdb9bd83ff.jpg)
![AEF930FD-AA7D-4BAF-9473-5FB0917562DE.jpeg AEF930FD-AA7D-4BAF-9473-5FB0917562DE.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64312-31dd92cb7c4d33812ffb2a5170ea1e89.jpg)
![416DD559-BCF6-41B3-BC31-6AD764A3168F.jpeg 416DD559-BCF6-41B3-BC31-6AD764A3168F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64313-ff7e4ca307a518ebe31e39e4838324ce.jpg)
Near here I met a local couple out on a day hike. We walked and chatted together on the way up to Mica Lake. They invited me back to thier home after my hike for a shower and bed. The start of a nice friendship, they receive all my food mailings and let me sort the summers consumables at their home to this day.
![C2C779A7-4592-46AE-A1FF-35022F4623F8.jpeg C2C779A7-4592-46AE-A1FF-35022F4623F8.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64314-23d2d3fcaf3ccb6c28dfc201708c3371.jpg)
Leaving the trail I headed over a saddle that looked good on the topo to a spot that had been hit hard by blowdown and then fire a few years back. Of course the whole region has been devastated by the beetle kill.
![01BB8655-0F65-4771-85FB-BF71AA7A289A.jpeg 01BB8655-0F65-4771-85FB-BF71AA7A289A.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64315-c1b18c2f44a25d7b67161b6e1a2620d1.jpg)
![BFC09C5B-9194-4F77-98C6-35294B6DB4DB.jpeg BFC09C5B-9194-4F77-98C6-35294B6DB4DB.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64316-f6c839cad1d8f1110e1800c1b061f73c.jpg)
![DB08CD03-3C87-4FCB-A1E3-45BB3CBD6C2A.jpeg DB08CD03-3C87-4FCB-A1E3-45BB3CBD6C2A.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64317-98dd7eb4100358910108f7ab5a7e7ddd.jpg)
![1B66C9EB-CE80-4939-AF77-DE9289AF0AFD.jpeg 1B66C9EB-CE80-4939-AF77-DE9289AF0AFD.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64318-c52d9118e44da75a06e1189973d46de4.jpg)
![6FB0F025-BA6C-4D5B-B61E-5F4BE2DA6ECB.jpeg 6FB0F025-BA6C-4D5B-B61E-5F4BE2DA6ECB.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64319-5b9b4c4e59bf32f27edcb4ed96fca44e.jpg)
![0BFA0739-E80E-469E-809C-6D5C56335DA3.jpeg 0BFA0739-E80E-469E-809C-6D5C56335DA3.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64320-a9272ba1d85c862417803559749b642b.jpg)
![3BBC7614-18C2-43AA-A291-007A717DEE21.jpeg 3BBC7614-18C2-43AA-A291-007A717DEE21.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64321-93578cbe6e5e87d675b8ba320352c77c.jpg)
![1878BFAA-E86A-4ED4-9FE2-BAB34980F09B.jpeg 1878BFAA-E86A-4ED4-9FE2-BAB34980F09B.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64322-06d3c4114bef778e115f9d31cf916c0f.jpg)
The map showed a trail but it has been obliterated. Travel was easy enough in the open. I dropped down into some live forest then crossing a fork of the Elk River, skirted some private inholdings, regained a trail and reentered the Wilderness.
![8EC2961A-EEB1-4478-BB46-CD02E5BA5502.jpeg 8EC2961A-EEB1-4478-BB46-CD02E5BA5502.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64323-b2c82decef6a869312f78e1d0657e0d3.jpg)
![EFE22F21-A597-41AB-9733-ABEBF1B1A1BF.jpeg EFE22F21-A597-41AB-9733-ABEBF1B1A1BF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64324-4d24b200584e756105fc729536f287c4.jpg)
The trail turned north and I continued along the river on a fading use trail. It was a mix of open wet boggy and heavy blowdown.
![6D28C3A8-29B6-4FCE-8E48-9F269E903846.jpeg 6D28C3A8-29B6-4FCE-8E48-9F269E903846.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64335-f13e4c82459e5dde82031ffb99ab9256.jpg)
![5BF3753C-4574-4A06-8F2B-C7ABCCD84FB0.jpeg 5BF3753C-4574-4A06-8F2B-C7ABCCD84FB0.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64325-5a2a3c69afb24fc563e7e358eab19c60.jpg)
I headed up a pass and then jumped a ridge to the side entering a hanging basin new to me for the second night.
![936747A9-44B5-4F11-931A-9F3F6BFA867D.jpeg 936747A9-44B5-4F11-931A-9F3F6BFA867D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64326-5b92732a92fce90abf6bf127f3438cf0.jpg)
![84949D6A-36EA-4859-98B4-A05976882D73.jpeg 84949D6A-36EA-4859-98B4-A05976882D73.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64327-8bedbaabeb1a5c1b986f654c2ac3ffbb.jpg)
![FD0D5F57-FC0B-41D9-920C-96F74C956B4C.jpeg FD0D5F57-FC0B-41D9-920C-96F74C956B4C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64328-2ac1c8ad874e57ee8817a80dc6d00676.jpg)
![8C8D82C7-79B4-4F1C-A596-9AA4FB1EDC15.jpeg 8C8D82C7-79B4-4F1C-A596-9AA4FB1EDC15.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64329-ae8cd6f84ae99e42f27d774d87a0407b.jpg)
![098B1384-319D-4A3E-A58E-4C05814FDC43.jpeg 098B1384-319D-4A3E-A58E-4C05814FDC43.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64330-db20355451618f5c65b3339c19192f0a.jpg)
I went back over the ridge and up the remainder of the pass, avoiding the talus in favor of the snow.
![1E8CAE7B-BA5E-4449-B0FD-F90B7B2CD9AC.jpeg 1E8CAE7B-BA5E-4449-B0FD-F90B7B2CD9AC.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64331-c306a28e6d18b2c56dcf57af2cc86a2a.jpg)
![73045618-0251-42F1-82E6-EE0ABB9FCFD2.jpeg 73045618-0251-42F1-82E6-EE0ABB9FCFD2.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64332-e701e73539e73760354f5c4e907eb794.jpg)
![78C8F9F6-B122-4F23-B5A3-28AD261431C9.jpeg 78C8F9F6-B122-4F23-B5A3-28AD261431C9.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64333-ae04ea3333770bd9480c3ba9120b3f91.jpg)
The last night I spent on a rise with a nice open feel and then out.
![E5E114BF-6249-47A2-B103-219DDF2778E4.jpeg E5E114BF-6249-47A2-B103-219DDF2778E4.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64334-64a1880ed0fcea2e1558c98aa2cc4bc2.jpg)
![CDEBD7E4-800E-4B69-A40C-77A27C9EA832.jpeg CDEBD7E4-800E-4B69-A40C-77A27C9EA832.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64336-5485ccf2602e85b4a2dcee51e7157142.jpg)
![FF9C8CDD-0974-4ACA-83BF-CA7D25F3236C.jpeg FF9C8CDD-0974-4ACA-83BF-CA7D25F3236C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64338-4d8d4692bd1f19963d4054615676fcd2.jpg)
After a pleasant and relaxed visit with my new friends I drove on up to my favorite range for more.
![9770394E-80D2-4DB4-A8F5-C87A99645B6D.jpeg 9770394E-80D2-4DB4-A8F5-C87A99645B6D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64339-00a1fcbbf36e1d248322e6675ab55115.jpg)
I will be starting my backpacking for the season in mid/late June and am getting excited. Spending much time looking over past hikes, which I always enjoy. This trip was my first of the year after the long (2400 miles in 3 days) drive from my base in the North East.
![1879FF14-E2D4-4081-86F4-DF7C53D9E829.jpeg 1879FF14-E2D4-4081-86F4-DF7C53D9E829.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64305-d7a19722bba7d9b04075884f1db16a5b.jpg)
leaving Maine
![0891ADEA-A242-4C85-9CB8-415046159321.jpeg 0891ADEA-A242-4C85-9CB8-415046159321.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64306-a5b1403dd689051741e131dd6e01ed7a.jpg)
somewhere near Chicago
![249DB556-3F40-4CF9-B12C-9B65A1E64DC4.jpeg 249DB556-3F40-4CF9-B12C-9B65A1E64DC4.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64307-27df693204042c46c35cad03a9d1ae8d.jpg)
the Mississippi
![6A80AFA7-CC60-4731-8788-618B8AA0D1A5.jpeg 6A80AFA7-CC60-4731-8788-618B8AA0D1A5.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64308-6e3910c25ba58233c671faac85c80d80.jpg)
Iowa
![29ECBD7E-B4DB-4CB0-8E43-4E21CC1648C9.jpeg 29ECBD7E-B4DB-4CB0-8E43-4E21CC1648C9.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64309-d0b12f2a011e5921a39e5df0f8e41018.jpg)
Nebraska
![2DDC8EB2-0681-434C-91B3-E9955B080554.jpeg 2DDC8EB2-0681-434C-91B3-E9955B080554.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64310-51b8ddb65378cda10b69a9f158261264.jpg)
end of the asphalt
A former backpacking buddy, lost to rafting and sloth, introduced me to the small Mt Zirkel Wilderness along the Continental Divide in Colorado just south of Wyoming in 2003. I like using this area to warm up and acclimate after not hiking seriously since the last fall and coming from about 350’. I started out midday after sleeping near the trailhead and sorting my food and gear.
![F8BE85E8-82CE-4A27-989C-9EA4F8D33B35.jpeg F8BE85E8-82CE-4A27-989C-9EA4F8D33B35.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64311-db8564f69f50c36b8ebd26bdb9bd83ff.jpg)
![AEF930FD-AA7D-4BAF-9473-5FB0917562DE.jpeg AEF930FD-AA7D-4BAF-9473-5FB0917562DE.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64312-31dd92cb7c4d33812ffb2a5170ea1e89.jpg)
![416DD559-BCF6-41B3-BC31-6AD764A3168F.jpeg 416DD559-BCF6-41B3-BC31-6AD764A3168F.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64313-ff7e4ca307a518ebe31e39e4838324ce.jpg)
Near here I met a local couple out on a day hike. We walked and chatted together on the way up to Mica Lake. They invited me back to thier home after my hike for a shower and bed. The start of a nice friendship, they receive all my food mailings and let me sort the summers consumables at their home to this day.
![C2C779A7-4592-46AE-A1FF-35022F4623F8.jpeg C2C779A7-4592-46AE-A1FF-35022F4623F8.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64314-23d2d3fcaf3ccb6c28dfc201708c3371.jpg)
Leaving the trail I headed over a saddle that looked good on the topo to a spot that had been hit hard by blowdown and then fire a few years back. Of course the whole region has been devastated by the beetle kill.
![01BB8655-0F65-4771-85FB-BF71AA7A289A.jpeg 01BB8655-0F65-4771-85FB-BF71AA7A289A.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64315-c1b18c2f44a25d7b67161b6e1a2620d1.jpg)
![BFC09C5B-9194-4F77-98C6-35294B6DB4DB.jpeg BFC09C5B-9194-4F77-98C6-35294B6DB4DB.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64316-f6c839cad1d8f1110e1800c1b061f73c.jpg)
![DB08CD03-3C87-4FCB-A1E3-45BB3CBD6C2A.jpeg DB08CD03-3C87-4FCB-A1E3-45BB3CBD6C2A.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64317-98dd7eb4100358910108f7ab5a7e7ddd.jpg)
![1B66C9EB-CE80-4939-AF77-DE9289AF0AFD.jpeg 1B66C9EB-CE80-4939-AF77-DE9289AF0AFD.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64318-c52d9118e44da75a06e1189973d46de4.jpg)
![6FB0F025-BA6C-4D5B-B61E-5F4BE2DA6ECB.jpeg 6FB0F025-BA6C-4D5B-B61E-5F4BE2DA6ECB.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64319-5b9b4c4e59bf32f27edcb4ed96fca44e.jpg)
![0BFA0739-E80E-469E-809C-6D5C56335DA3.jpeg 0BFA0739-E80E-469E-809C-6D5C56335DA3.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64320-a9272ba1d85c862417803559749b642b.jpg)
![3BBC7614-18C2-43AA-A291-007A717DEE21.jpeg 3BBC7614-18C2-43AA-A291-007A717DEE21.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64321-93578cbe6e5e87d675b8ba320352c77c.jpg)
![1878BFAA-E86A-4ED4-9FE2-BAB34980F09B.jpeg 1878BFAA-E86A-4ED4-9FE2-BAB34980F09B.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64322-06d3c4114bef778e115f9d31cf916c0f.jpg)
The map showed a trail but it has been obliterated. Travel was easy enough in the open. I dropped down into some live forest then crossing a fork of the Elk River, skirted some private inholdings, regained a trail and reentered the Wilderness.
![8EC2961A-EEB1-4478-BB46-CD02E5BA5502.jpeg 8EC2961A-EEB1-4478-BB46-CD02E5BA5502.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64323-b2c82decef6a869312f78e1d0657e0d3.jpg)
![EFE22F21-A597-41AB-9733-ABEBF1B1A1BF.jpeg EFE22F21-A597-41AB-9733-ABEBF1B1A1BF.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64324-4d24b200584e756105fc729536f287c4.jpg)
The trail turned north and I continued along the river on a fading use trail. It was a mix of open wet boggy and heavy blowdown.
![6D28C3A8-29B6-4FCE-8E48-9F269E903846.jpeg 6D28C3A8-29B6-4FCE-8E48-9F269E903846.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64335-f13e4c82459e5dde82031ffb99ab9256.jpg)
![5BF3753C-4574-4A06-8F2B-C7ABCCD84FB0.jpeg 5BF3753C-4574-4A06-8F2B-C7ABCCD84FB0.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64325-5a2a3c69afb24fc563e7e358eab19c60.jpg)
I headed up a pass and then jumped a ridge to the side entering a hanging basin new to me for the second night.
![936747A9-44B5-4F11-931A-9F3F6BFA867D.jpeg 936747A9-44B5-4F11-931A-9F3F6BFA867D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64326-5b92732a92fce90abf6bf127f3438cf0.jpg)
![84949D6A-36EA-4859-98B4-A05976882D73.jpeg 84949D6A-36EA-4859-98B4-A05976882D73.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64327-8bedbaabeb1a5c1b986f654c2ac3ffbb.jpg)
![FD0D5F57-FC0B-41D9-920C-96F74C956B4C.jpeg FD0D5F57-FC0B-41D9-920C-96F74C956B4C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64328-2ac1c8ad874e57ee8817a80dc6d00676.jpg)
![8C8D82C7-79B4-4F1C-A596-9AA4FB1EDC15.jpeg 8C8D82C7-79B4-4F1C-A596-9AA4FB1EDC15.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64329-ae8cd6f84ae99e42f27d774d87a0407b.jpg)
![098B1384-319D-4A3E-A58E-4C05814FDC43.jpeg 098B1384-319D-4A3E-A58E-4C05814FDC43.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64330-db20355451618f5c65b3339c19192f0a.jpg)
I went back over the ridge and up the remainder of the pass, avoiding the talus in favor of the snow.
![1E8CAE7B-BA5E-4449-B0FD-F90B7B2CD9AC.jpeg 1E8CAE7B-BA5E-4449-B0FD-F90B7B2CD9AC.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64331-c306a28e6d18b2c56dcf57af2cc86a2a.jpg)
![73045618-0251-42F1-82E6-EE0ABB9FCFD2.jpeg 73045618-0251-42F1-82E6-EE0ABB9FCFD2.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64332-e701e73539e73760354f5c4e907eb794.jpg)
![78C8F9F6-B122-4F23-B5A3-28AD261431C9.jpeg 78C8F9F6-B122-4F23-B5A3-28AD261431C9.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64333-ae04ea3333770bd9480c3ba9120b3f91.jpg)
The last night I spent on a rise with a nice open feel and then out.
![E5E114BF-6249-47A2-B103-219DDF2778E4.jpeg E5E114BF-6249-47A2-B103-219DDF2778E4.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64334-64a1880ed0fcea2e1558c98aa2cc4bc2.jpg)
![CDEBD7E4-800E-4B69-A40C-77A27C9EA832.jpeg CDEBD7E4-800E-4B69-A40C-77A27C9EA832.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64336-5485ccf2602e85b4a2dcee51e7157142.jpg)
![FF9C8CDD-0974-4ACA-83BF-CA7D25F3236C.jpeg FF9C8CDD-0974-4ACA-83BF-CA7D25F3236C.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64338-4d8d4692bd1f19963d4054615676fcd2.jpg)
After a pleasant and relaxed visit with my new friends I drove on up to my favorite range for more.
![9770394E-80D2-4DB4-A8F5-C87A99645B6D.jpeg 9770394E-80D2-4DB4-A8F5-C87A99645B6D.jpeg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/64/64339-00a1fcbbf36e1d248322e6675ab55115.jpg)
Last edited: