Caribou Lakes, Trinity Alps
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My daughter Libby and I left the coast around noon on Thursday, drove to San Francisco and picked up Matthew Black from work and started on our long drive north. Libby came along mainly as new tradition to come backpacking with me on my birthday. The drive was long but we laughed a lot..
From Weaverville we drove another 35 miles to Coffee Creek. After 6 miles of curvy but paved road, we had another 12 miles of gravel before we made it to Big Flat , where we camped for the night.
All three of us had hammocks.
At 7 am Libby and I started our hike, Matthew was going to wait a bit and go a different route, at least the second part. We hiked the New Trail and Matthew hiked the same trail then braved the much harder old trail after the two intersected.
Libby and I hiked at a very good pace, but really took our time to take pictures, stop at the most sweeping vistas to take it all in. It was a joy to hike with someone so aware of our surroundings, so appreciative of the big views, the clouds, the colors, the plants , the burned wood, the smells and on and on.Here is some of what we saw, really whittled down . The hike in was 9 miles
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Our descent toward Little Caribou.
The tastiest water
Once we came down to the Lake, Matt was already there waiting for us.
It was only a little after noon so we set up camp ; while Libby took a nap and a read a book in her hammock, I cooked some, ate some, hiked up to Big Caribou and Matt did his own cooking, eating and day hiking.There were quite a few clouds gathering in the sky and we heard some rumbles, so I pitched the tarp I brought over both our hammocks before hiking around, so Libby would not wake to getting rained on..
The spot we chose to camp at was beautiful, but exposed; when the clouds opened up the heat was a bit much. We decided to move just a little more in the trees.
Ken came strolling in to camp a little before sunset, glad to have his umbrella for the rain he encountered on the trail.More to come in the next post
Alpen glow
Matt mit alpen glow.
On Friday morning Ken took off day hiking and we somehow missed him perched on a rock. Matt wandered around the lakes and hiked up to the ridge to see Emerald and Sapphire Lakes. Libby and I hopped around the lakes and swimming holes, made fried bread, swam and them met up with Matt for some more exploring and swimming.
Making food..
I have been told I never post pictures of me that are any good so Libby took a few
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And Matt…
More in the third installment
We found a beautiful little pond to swim in. The water was cool but comfortable enough to swim around and stay in for a while, particularly against the warm rock.
We had the most beautiful view and had a great time all around. Heavenly, really.We had decided to hike out around 1 or 2 pm and spend the night at the trail head, then drive out this morning.
Matt hiked on his own. Libby And I hiked together for a while and then Ken and I.
I really like how we combined doing our own thing and spending time together. There was no pressure, everyone was able to go at their own pace and enjoy .
I asked Matt to take a picture of Libby and I together. There were many funny ones. This one was right as Libby was calling me out for always putting my foot higher on a rock in pictures….because supposedly I am showing that I am "dominating" this rock..:)
I dispute that. A little.Hiking out in the heat with Ken "Poppins"
Thanks Kat for getting me out. It was a different kind of group trip with all of us doing our own thing. Very enjoyable company as always.
I left work on Friday at 10:30 am. Started hiking at 3:30. It's only 168 miles. I stop briefly for a bite to eat on the way to the trailhead. Thunder, drops of rain greeted me when I was almost at the trailhead. Grabbed the umbrella. Rain never materialized. The umbrella was an much appreciated bit of shade.
I hiked up in the afternoon and had no shade through the large burned area. Hot and slow going. Beautiful all the same. Never saw another soul.
Got to camp with everyone else at about 8pm. Slept fantastic. Saturday was a blissful slow morning with a nice cup of coffee in the hammock followed by Hostess Lemon Pie.
Hike up to the swimming pools up by Big Caribou and poked around for a while. Lay in the sun, eat, drink, repeat..
Hike back to an empty camp and eat some more. A short nap later everyone is back in camp. Time to get packed up.
Back on the trail. Back to the cooler with icy goodness at the trailhead campground. A pleasant evening, followed by a decent nights sleep.
Up at 6am. We were all packed up and on the road by 6:30. I love that.
Thanks again Matt for retrieving my umbrella trailside. Thanks again to Kat for being awesome as always, and for bringing Libby along again.
I would pass on getting blisters on my pinky toes next time.
Kat's quiet time
Another angle of the swimming pool.
What do mean I'm not going?Ha Ken!
It took me a minute to find myself there…..and on the picture..I posted better resolution pictures on Flickr
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