- Joined
- Jul 8, 2015
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- 250
On August 10th 2015 my wife Rose and I embarked on our first big, (big to us) rookie backpacking trip. We started at the Lamar River /Soda Butte trailhead. When we arrived at the trailhead the Wolfwatchers were out in full force so we had to wait over an hour until someone left to get a parking spot. When we did finally get on the trail we came upon the Wolfwatchers within a little less than a half mile on Soda Butte creek all looking to the north with huge binoculars and spotting scopes. They said they had had been following a pair of wolves on the west side slopes of Druid Peak and a large male grizzly on the east side.
I feel a little explanation is in order first as to why I am posting this with the video and only a few pictures. I purchased a Sony Handycam HD camcorder for the trip and took several still pictures at home that looked really good. Believing that I could record HD video and take good still shots with this one camera, I opted to leave the Cannon SLR in the truck. This was a mistake that I will not duplicate. As you will see, the pictures are not good at all. My cell phone takes much better pictures that this. So I’ve included the video that was really for the friends and family that thought we were crazy to want to do this.
At the trailhead
Some bison grazing in the valley. Druid Peak in the background.
Looking to the east with the morning sun.
The first trail marker before Cache Creek
Tent setup at campsite 3L4 on our first night. The Lamar River is just a few yards behind me taking the picture.
Day 2 was another beautiful day, sunny and warm. Looking south up the Lamar River.
looking north back towards the valley.
Taking a break out of the sun before reaching camp for night 2.
A jawbone at campsite 3L8, unfortunately I have no other pictures from this campsite, only video. When we arrived at this camp on our second night, we hung the food bag and immediately headed down to the river to filter water. As soon as we stepped out onto the small beach near the river we looked to the left and saw a large black bear was also coming down to the river about 50 to 60 yards away. I immediately thought of pulling out the video camera, nope... it's in my backpack at the food prep area! I asked Rose to get it while I kept an eye on the bear, however she was not inclined to leave my side at that time. I'm sure thoughts of Lance Crosby, who had been attacked and killed by a grizzly bear only a few days before we began our trip, held her a bit hostage. I clapped so he would notice us and he looked over and seemed unaffected by our presence other than taking a little sharper angle towards the river where he crossed and headed up into the tree line on the other side. We were both a little freaked out the rest of the evening and kept our heads on a swivel.
Day 3 started out overcast and was a welcomed change from the heat and sun of the previous two days. Heading back down river towards the valley.
We were eventually rained on a little, nothing very heavy.
Calfee Creek patrol cabin in the lower right side.
There were many flowers blooming on the side of the trail and in the meadows.
We have dandelions in Georgia, but not near this large!
Does anyone know what these berries are?
A wild looking tree just before reaching Cache Creek.
Cache Creek. Our campsite for the night 3L1 is just on the other side.
The food prep area at campsite 3L1.
The campsite comes with a bison skull and several Elk antlers.
I found some antlers in the brush near the river, along with a lot other elk bones from a carcass, and added them to the collection.
Tent site on the morning of day 4.
Looking back up the Lamar River, almost back to the valley.
A lone bison in the valley grazing.
Druid Peak
Back at Soda Butte creek and the truck. Sad that it is over, but we had a great time and are looking forward to many more adventures.
Here is a link to the video. Cheers!
I feel a little explanation is in order first as to why I am posting this with the video and only a few pictures. I purchased a Sony Handycam HD camcorder for the trip and took several still pictures at home that looked really good. Believing that I could record HD video and take good still shots with this one camera, I opted to leave the Cannon SLR in the truck. This was a mistake that I will not duplicate. As you will see, the pictures are not good at all. My cell phone takes much better pictures that this. So I’ve included the video that was really for the friends and family that thought we were crazy to want to do this.
At the trailhead
Some bison grazing in the valley. Druid Peak in the background.
Looking to the east with the morning sun.
The first trail marker before Cache Creek
Tent setup at campsite 3L4 on our first night. The Lamar River is just a few yards behind me taking the picture.
Day 2 was another beautiful day, sunny and warm. Looking south up the Lamar River.
looking north back towards the valley.
Taking a break out of the sun before reaching camp for night 2.
A jawbone at campsite 3L8, unfortunately I have no other pictures from this campsite, only video. When we arrived at this camp on our second night, we hung the food bag and immediately headed down to the river to filter water. As soon as we stepped out onto the small beach near the river we looked to the left and saw a large black bear was also coming down to the river about 50 to 60 yards away. I immediately thought of pulling out the video camera, nope... it's in my backpack at the food prep area! I asked Rose to get it while I kept an eye on the bear, however she was not inclined to leave my side at that time. I'm sure thoughts of Lance Crosby, who had been attacked and killed by a grizzly bear only a few days before we began our trip, held her a bit hostage. I clapped so he would notice us and he looked over and seemed unaffected by our presence other than taking a little sharper angle towards the river where he crossed and headed up into the tree line on the other side. We were both a little freaked out the rest of the evening and kept our heads on a swivel.
Day 3 started out overcast and was a welcomed change from the heat and sun of the previous two days. Heading back down river towards the valley.
We were eventually rained on a little, nothing very heavy.
Calfee Creek patrol cabin in the lower right side.
There were many flowers blooming on the side of the trail and in the meadows.
We have dandelions in Georgia, but not near this large!
Does anyone know what these berries are?
A wild looking tree just before reaching Cache Creek.
Cache Creek. Our campsite for the night 3L1 is just on the other side.
The food prep area at campsite 3L1.
The campsite comes with a bison skull and several Elk antlers.
I found some antlers in the brush near the river, along with a lot other elk bones from a carcass, and added them to the collection.
Tent site on the morning of day 4.
Looking back up the Lamar River, almost back to the valley.
A lone bison in the valley grazing.
Druid Peak
Back at Soda Butte creek and the truck. Sad that it is over, but we had a great time and are looking forward to many more adventures.
Here is a link to the video. Cheers!
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