| - | Turpin Meadow | |
Submitted by cfurse
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 60.31
This track is from a fantastic pack trip into the area just below Hawk's Rest. Gorgeous scenery, beautiful trails, pretty well marked (some signs were down from the snow, so we saw only the post, but with map and GPS it was pretty straight forward to get around). The footing is super nice, generally soft, just about everywhere in here. We went in July, but the snow and water stopped us from crossing the bog to Hawk's Rest, proper (you'll see this map stops just before the bog). Go a little later, or on a drier year, if you want to get across the bog.There was also a lot of dead fall that the trail crews were just working on that made it (honestly) impassible in several trail areas (call ahead to the Forest Service or stop at the Ranger Station to see that trails you want to ride are passable). The water and grazing was excellent. The closer we got to Hawk's Rest, the more bear sign, and bears (4), we saw so take bear camping precautions seriously. I don't think I'd recommend the specific area we camped, as the mosquitos were so bad ... the mules didn't like it either, and they ran away (yes, seriously, in hobbles, with us right there). We walked out (with 1 horse between us), borrowed another horse and found the mules the next day, and doubled back in and out to get our gear. So, don't go anywhere you aren't prepared to walk out of, and ride in comfortable shoes. It was one of the most interesting and enjoyable rides all year.
|
|
