Day 2 –Finding our path ( 7 strenuous miles ) Tuesday, May 6
Woke up around 6:30 a.m. but stayed in the tent until around 7. It's no fun putting on wet socks and shoes when it’s in the 40s.
We knew we had at least that 2000 feet of elevation gain (if we found the trail) so packed up and got on the road. Decided to skip breakfast until we reached the next saddle. Found where we missed the trail and made it to the saddle for a nice breakfast with views of a waterfall and pool in the creek below.
It wasn't too long before we got into a burned out area of the trail. Lots of jumping over logs and lifting the dogs over logs. There were blazes in the downed logs but they were easy to miss so we did a lot of backtracking. Lost Siri’s sleeping pad. Really slow going and very strenuous hiking.
Every so often, we’d get a break and hit ponderosa pine forest. By about 1 p.m., we had made it up to a saddle with views of the fire lookout. More downed trees and looking at the path ahead, it seemed that we’d be in for more of the same—deadfall in an area that burned in 1996. This was really hard on the dogs—having to jump over or find a way under the logs—plus we had watch for snakes.
We took a break for lunch and determined that it would be better to head back the way we came. Also decided that this day had been the worst hike we’d EVER done. It surpassed hikes when we’d be whacked by Devil’s club, slipped on wet roots and fell hard, or were ambushed by 100s of little black biting flies in Washington. So back through the deadfall and all of the vampire bushes—at least it was downhill most of the way—and back to the old cowboy camp along the Mogollon Creek. Bonus: Found Siri's sleeping pad next to some deadfall on the way down.
Bushwhacked through the trees/brush instead of the creek (dry feet tonight!) and found a nice rock along the creek to stop at and have dinner—just in case that really is a bear trail in camp!
It was disappointing that we had to turn around but it was the smart call—we could have been carrying out the dogs if we had to go through more of the same deadfall.
Got to bed early and figured we'd play it by ear tomorrow.
Day 3 –Decisions, decisions ( 5 miles, maybe ) Wednesday, May 7
Up around 6:30 a.m. but stayed in the tent until 7. No rush today; it'd be easy hiking. Spent a leisurely morning eating and packing.
We hiked back along the creek to the camp site right near the West Fork Mogollon Creek/Rain Creek junction. Decided to stay in the Gila another night instead of heading out so we hiked up toward Bud’s Hole overlook. Thought there might be an alternative camp site along the way to Bud's Hole so we carried our full packs. No luck.
Missed Bud’s Hole overlook so kept going down to a stream crossing where we had lunch and took a dip in the cool water. Then it was back up and back down to the camp site near the trail junction. It was HOT out (okay, we live in the mountains so 80 is hot to us). We took our time and rested a lot in the shade—mostly for the dogs.
Nice quiet night. Jim brought his iPod so we watched video updates and listened to a podcast of Erin and Higg’s Wild Coast adventure. Another nice warm night.
