Last year, I believe they actually had to remove one bear that had become so agressive it actually knocked one backpacker over (as the backpacker was setting his backpack down) when going after his food.
As noted, Reed Spring isn't a good bet. Neither is Windy Spring ("D"). Cortelyou Spring ("C") is very reliable. If you didn't want to wait until Little Jimmy (two more miles) to get water, you could stroll over to Cortelyou, get water, stroll back to Islip Saddle, and get back on route. Alternatively, you could walk along ACH from Islip Saddle to the spring, get water, continue walking down ACH, and then pick up a service road near Pine Hollow Picnic Area that rejoins your route. The service road in my opinion is nicer than the hot, exposed section of trail that climbs out of Islip Saddle. The service road isn't shown on the topo, but it shows up if you switch to satellite mode and zoom in a bit.
Little Jimmy spring ("E") is as noted rock solid. There's also Lilly Spring ("F"), but it's down a steep unmaintained side trail and is a pain to get to. It's pretty close to Little Jimmy Spring, so just fill up at Little Jimmy for your push back to Vincent Gap. There's no water from Lilly to Vincent Gap except for Lamel Spring ("G") which should have water this time of year. You have to watch for a path branching off to the spring as you descend from Baden-Powell to Vincent Gap. It's pretty close to the gap, so it may be just as easy to cache water in your vehicles. Of course the spring water might be a lot colder than water that's been sitting in vehicles for a while.
Hikin_Jim wrote:Last year, I believe they actually had to remove one bear that had become so agressive it actually knocked one backpacker over (as the backpacker was setting his backpack down) when going after his food.
As noted, Reed Spring isn't a good bet. Neither is Windy Spring ("D"). Cortelyou Spring ("C") is very reliable. If you didn't want to wait until Little Jimmy (two more miles) to get water, you could stroll over to Cortelyou, get water, stroll back to Islip Saddle, and get back on route. Alternatively, you could walk along ACH from Islip Saddle to the spring, get water, continue walking down ACH, and then pick up a service road near Pine Hollow Picnic Area that rejoins your route. The service road in my opinion is nicer than the hot, exposed section of trail that climbs out of Islip Saddle. The service road isn't shown on the topo, but it shows up if you switch to satellite mode and zoom in a bit.
Little Jimmy spring ("E") is as noted rock solid. There's also Lilly Spring ("F"), but it's down a steep unmaintained side trail and is a pain to get to. It's pretty close to Little Jimmy Spring, so just fill up at Little Jimmy for your push back to Vincent Gap. There's no water from Lilly to Vincent Gap except for Lamel Spring ("G") which should have water this time of year. You have to watch for a path branching off to the spring as you descend from Baden-Powell to Vincent Gap. It's pretty close to the gap, so it may be just as easy to cache water in your vehicles. Of course the spring water might be a lot colder than water that's been sitting in vehicles for a while.
The only good thing about summer are summer dresses. The rest of it can go back to hell where it came from.
I love the almost instant change/smell in the air when fall hits. Then the miracles of rain and snow follow, only to be followed by the freshness of spring. All that is nice.
It's funny how the media shoves summer down us - like there is no other season of worthy. They can take their beach parties and go pound sand!
Now I can see how other parts of the country could go nuts during winter but how/why the media puts on the winter times blues stories for us is just laughable.
Maybe if I finally find a way to block out the late afternoon sun this summer, I might be happier about it ---- but good lord, when it's 90 degrees all day and that ball of fire doesn't go down until around 8pm, that sh*t is too much. Plus, or should I say, minus, it's always fun to try and sleep when it's 78 degrees at 2am
Too bad I can't vote twice because I'd vote for fall and winter. Fall is awesome because the temps are just right for hiking and the anticipation of snow around the corner. Then there's winter and well, that's enough said right there.
Hiking in the summer can be a bummer. It's oppressively hot, even at the higher elevations. It might be 80 at the beach but that means it's 100 in the inland valleys. No clouds anywhere so you've got mega skin cancer action. Air quality not too great either, so you've got lung cancer action on top of that. Views aren't so hot with that all that haze and smog. Then there are the bugs. Nasty, annoying flies that try to nest in your ears or huge deer flies that bite you and suck your blood. The Sierras are even worst with all those damn skeeters.
On the bright side, the summer desert thunderstorms are impressive. Those huge cloud formations over the mountains are a sight to behold.
I bought a Go-Lite silver umbrella this year. We'll see how well it works.
I'll take fall & winter any time. Cross country skiing through Little Jimmy and over to Throop and down to Dawson Saddle. I love that trip. Of course, any time of the year up in the high country is just fine with me.
Hey!!! Did we have a winter this year??? Oh yea, short but sweet!
Any day in the mountains is better than my best day in the city.
TacoDelRio wrote:Why, do I suck at walking or something?
Um, why, no Taco, you walk just fine.
I told you guys not to tell him. Sheesh, now you've gone and hurt his feelings. How much would have it hurt to keep the "little secret" about TDR quiet? Nice going. Sheesh.
I was down at Icy Springs on Wednesday and there is good water there. Its early on once you start from Vincent Gap. There is still snow in the drainages high up on Throop to Baden-Powell. There is actually snow along the highway as well.
Have fun. Maybe we'll pass you somtime this weekend.
Richard N. wrote:I was down at Icy Springs on Wednesday and there is good water there. Its early on once you start from Vincent Gap. There is still snow in the drainages high up on Throop to Baden-Powell. There is actually snow along the highway as well.
Have fun. Maybe we'll pass you somtime this weekend.
Thanks Richard, for the intel.
Looks like it won't be this weekend my dad is having some health issues.
I did get to drive all the way up Hwy 2 this week, and it never looked nicer. 8)
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