Morning at Base Camp 1. After a long day hike yesterday, it was time to get up the mountain to our second base camp.
The lift up the hill to Base Camp 2 was going to be no picnic. No pack team help today, we were hauling our backpacks up about 3000 vertical feet.
The hike starts off in the beautiful ponderosa forests low in the Middle Fork drainage. It is like a stroll through a groomed park.
The trail sticks close to the top of the ridge above Waterfall Creek as we gradually climb.
The further we get up the mountain, the more quiet it becomes. The roar of the river is now off in the distance.
Carl takes a break on the ridge as the snow capped mountains above us come into view.
Looking back west, we study the mountains on the other side of the Middle Fork.
Tom and I hiked together today so he was the subject de jour.
As we approach Base Camp 2, the character of the landscape changes. The fire of 2000 burned hot though here so even 24 years later, the forest is in recovery mode….. that means lots of brush to be cut.
At the junction of the Waterfall Trail and the Southfork Waterfall Trail we began to run into snow patches. In general, the Waterfall Trail has gradual grades and a very nice trail corridor.
Base Camp 2! It was our intention to arrive at Base Camp 2, set up, then do a little afternoon trail work. After the climb, we were all happy to call that good enough.
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