Southforkriver.net

Lyell Fork Trip - Sue, Allyn, Scott & Jeannie - August 2007

Introduction

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Photo Album

Map

NG Topo Map

Day 1

The first day out was a nice hike. We spent some time on the way to the campsite adjusting packs and weight. Jeannie's pack seemed to not fit the best, as her back was getting sore and the weight was not sitting right. We adjusted her weight and it seemed to do better, but the pack just wasn't right. I took some items as well as Scott and it made the pack lighter but not much more comfortable. It was probably the six pack Scott had hidden inside her pack the night before!

We stopped at about 3 miles in to eat lunch next to the river. There is a nice spot where the river bends back towards the trail and is marked by a well used trail. We ate lunch next to a nice pool a enjoyed tortillas and tuna along with soup. Since the river was low and this was essentially the first trip for the two wives, we were filtering water. We filled up the bottles and loaded the packs and headed up the trail. Most of the remaining trip is pretty level so the hike was easier than before lunch.

As we neared the campsite where Scott had stayed the year before, we all got a chuckle as Scott seemed to kick it into a higher gear as he scoped at the site. The site we stayed in was the same one he did the year before, which is above the trail on the west (right side heading towards Donahue). It was a pretty nice site for the four of us as we had plenty of room to set up the two tents and room for the campfire and cooking area. We also had a good view of the river and trail below. It also turned out to be a good spot for others as we got some neighbors the first night below us and also to the left. Seemed it was a good stopping point for those coming up from the Valley the day before and those heading to the Valley the next day.

We got the camp set up and got some firewood for the two nights and then while Jeannie was napping it seemed like a good time to start cocktail hour. We found the Crystal Light lemonade and Jose Cuervo to be a good mix as we sat around the site and shared stories. The "Trail-ritas" were a hit as we polished off the flask that night. Dinner was great that night. We had freezer bag dinners both nights, with the first night an Asian mix of chicken, rice and crunchy noodles. We topped off dinner with a chocolate cheesecake pudding mix that you stir up with cold water and let sit for about 10 minutes. After dinner we had a campfire, which I usually don't do but it seemed to hit the spot that night. After cleaning up we had a night cap (hot apple cider and brandy) and then hit the sack. Sleep came well that night and no critters invaded the site, though we were told the next day about a bear rummaging through the site next door.