This is the start of my first ITA trip of the year and it is to an area I have visited and worked in the past. The road from Riggins to the trailhead is quite an adventure with about a 5500 foot climb followed by a turn around the last corner with quite a view.
One nice thing about this trip is that the trailhead is at about 7200 feet of elevation so most of the climb is done, at least for us.
After a few administrative details at the trailhead we are on our feet. Our crew consists of the now infamous “McCall A Team” where the “A” stands for aged. Our mighty leader was Anne and the crew consisted of Carl, Scott, Shelley, myself and the considerably less aged Jenny and Nick.
I have done this hitch before so I knew what I was getting into…. one thing about the passage of time is that you forget the painful details. Check that last trip out here and here. What were we getting into? Brush! and it started early and often.
When we did this trip in 2020, you can see that smoke was the theme. This year our trip came earlier in the year and the smoke season has not yet started. As a result, these views were all new to me.
After a few hours of work and hiking in we stopped at Cannon Creek for a water resupply.
Finally! A section without brush!
This view looks east over the Rapid River Drainage and you can just make out Patrick Butte in the distance. Check out that trip report here.
After a few hours of dropping packs, lopping, picking up packs, walking, dropping packs, looping, …… , it was time to beat feet to base camp. The threat of late afternoon thunderstorms loomed and we needed to find some cover.
At Hansen Creek, we established our work camp. It wasn’t exactly level but we all managed to find tent spots. Notice the rain tarp. We did spend time under that during this trip! More to come.
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