Weminuche off-Trail from Elk Park to Needleton 2023 (Via Vestal, Balsam, Noname and Ruby)

John Morrow said:
Hi @fossana,

When you did this from Beartown TH did you hike up Trinity Creek (Stormy Gulch on my map) through the Vestal Creek/Trinity Creek Divide? Or did you skirt higher country?

Considering spending some time there during the 2nd half of June but not really seriously planning at this point!

Thanks,
John
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John,
I came in from Kite Lake to balsam lake once. There isn’t much of a trail through stormy gulch till you get out of the valley. There is a switch back on the trail down from hunchback pass to Vallecito that has a waterfall on it. (37.67932, -107.52698). If you go west from that point there is a trail here and there along the north side of Trinity creek. The trail picks up decent in a clearing at 37.67830, -107.54011. To get over balsam pass you need to break through the cliff band at 37.67771, -107.55202. Then there is a trail up and over to Balsam. You could also continue up to Trinity lake and over to vestal, I have not done that pass, but I’ve heard many people have and it is pretty good.

It is a common hike to start in vestal and go over to the balsam side between vestal and Trinity, then east around storm peak and back over the Trinity/peak 3 pass to vestal. It’s a high loop that gives you some great views. It’s also well traveled so it is easier to find.

Let me know if you want more info, I’ve been in there a few times.
 
Tweedie said:
John,
I came in from Kite Lake to balsam lake once. There isn’t much of a trail through stormy gulch till you get out of the valley. There is a switch back on the trail down from hunchback pass to Vallecito that has a waterfall on it. (37.67932, -107.52698). If you go west from that point there is a trail here and there along the north side of Trinity creek. The trail picks up decent in a clearing at 37.67830, -107.54011. To get over balsam pass you need to break through the cliff band at 37.67771, -107.55202. Then there is a trail up and over to Balsam. You could also continue up to Trinity lake and over to vestal, I have not done that pass, but I’ve heard many people have and it is pretty good.

It is a common hike to start in vestal and go over to the balsam side between vestal and Trinity, then east around storm peak and back over the Trinity/peak 3 pass to vestal. It’s a high loop that gives you some great views. It’s also well traveled so it is easier to find.

Let me know if you want more info, I’ve been in there a few times.
Click to expand...
Thank you @Tweedie for that great info. Undecided if I'll indeed make it down that way later this month but it is a place I'd like to revisit in more depth than a one time trip up Vestal Cr. long ago.
Much appreciated,
John
 
Hi Tweedie -- considering copying your route for end of August. Was wondering how you approached bear management? Since you were camping at tree level, did you just bear hang every night. Or did you also bring a bear container / Ursack? We are planning on taking 1-2 layover days so if you have any recommendations on where would be epic to do that, would be great! Also if you have any other general advice, would love to hear it.
 
Ursacks are fine in that area. You're far more likely to have problems with aggressive marmots or mountain goats trying to chew up your gear than bears trying to get your food.

Any of the basins along that route would be great places for a layover day.

There's tons of beetle kill in that area, so be careful with where you camp (depending on weather, it may actually be safer to camp above treeline). The deadfall may also make some of the off-trail below-treeline sections harder.
 
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