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 2

The next day was a layover type day where we just stayed around camp and took a little day hike up to Ireland Creek a little ways up the trail. We started out the morning with some breakfast burritos (eggs with ham and peppers inside some tortillas). They sure beat oatmeal and trail mix! After breakfast, we took a little day hike to Ireland Creek and I was surprised to see some good water running down the creek, since Rafferty Creek was dry. There were even some nice little brook trout swimming around in the creek. On the way up we watched some deer graze in the meadow and some more trout in the main river. We headed back and then Scott and I went fishing while the wives hung out at camp. Fishing in the Lyell Fork turned out nice as the fish were hitting pretty well and we got some decent size ones. It was all catch and release that day as we did not want to mess up the campsite with fish smell for the critters to explore.

Dinner that night was trail burritos, which was also a freezer bag concoction of rice, refried bean flakes, Dr. MacDougal's Bean Soup mix, some dried onions and some salsa. Scott had brought some shredded cheese that held up pretty well and we topped off the burritos with the cheese. He also had some crackers and cheese for snacks the night before, so I will have to remember the fresh cheese on short trips like this. Dessert was again the chocolate cheesecake, which we all agreed would be a staple dessert on future trips. And of course more "Trail-ritas" to wash down the burritos.

After dinner we were all treated to lessons in backpacking hygiene by my bother Scott. It is amazing how one can use a log and shovel to make life easier in the backwoods. He apparently has much practice in backcountry hygiene! By the way, if you decide to camp at this spot in the future, stay away from the log up the hill with several strategically placed rocks nearby. I think the road signs "Watch for Rocks is a warning to all the backcountry hikers! After our nightcap of hot cider and brandy we all hit the sack and were rewarded with another critter free night. Actually it turns out the critters were scared away by the snoring done that night. Apparently quite a few of us were snoring in unison so any bears must have thought we were marking our territory. Not sure Jeannie got any sleep that night but I sure did with the help of the Advil PM. I had learned about the benefits of Advil PM the year before on our JMT hike and with the days work and the sleep aid, it helps with sleeping in the woods. While I don't think it puts you to sleep it certainly helps you get back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night. It also gives you some pretty vivid dreams!