Leave of Absence, solar eclipse, etc.

[Stephen Parks]

Hi all.  I haven’t posted in a while as I’ve started a LOA from work and have been busy preparing for a road trip around the Ameican West, which of course will include some backpacking!  I’ve already spent a couple of weeks in Colorado, and I’ve just driven up to Wyoming today.  I’d like to find a hike to be on for the solar eclipse.  I’m not looking for solitude, but I figure the national parks will be bananas.  Maybe something in the wind river area?  The typical hikes there (cirque of the towers etc.) look like they will be a little too far south for the best eclipse viewing.  Any suggestions?  Does anyone have any similar plans?  I could make it over to Idaho if there are any good options over there.

[Greg Mihalik]

OK. So you know it’s going to be crowded everywhere…

From Pinedale, WY you have an easy drive to Elkhart Park trailhead.

Totality Path

Hike east to Photographers Point, then north for a few hours. There are plenty of spots to camp.

The Great Outrdoors Shop in Pinedale is a great local resource. And there is Lot to see in this general area.

[Greg Mihalik]

CalTopo

“Photographers Photographers” should be “Photographers Point”.

Edit to Add: Titcom Basin is a doable long day.  Totality will be about 2 minutes there. On the map above it is at the top edge, right of center – the double lake oriented north-south with the notation “4.0mi”.

 

[Stephen Parks]

Thank you Greg!

[John Klinepeter]

I visit the “Winds” every year and plan to do so again this year.  Ordinarily I wait until after September 1 but this year the occurrence of the eclipse changed my timing.  My plans include filling in a few gaps, seeing places I have not been before.  I have already hiked about 80% of the mileage I intend to do this year.

Ordinarily the mountains are relatively dry in September; it will be nice to see a few more flowers than usual, I hope.  There might be a few more mosquitoes, too, but it shouldn’t be too severe.

I’m entering via Green River Lakes a few days before the eclipse which will put me a little north of the eclipse totality line shown on Greg’s map.  Bought some cheapo paper/plastic eclipse glasses (UL sunglasses!) though I will not stare at the sight for long periods.  Apparently it is OK to look at the moon/sun during totality without the aid of filters–take this with a big grain of salt, it’s just something I read a few days ago on what appeared to be a reputable website.

The eclipse is a bonus feature of what looks like an enjoyable backpack.  I was unaware of the eclipse until about five or six weeks ago.  Solo again this year, probably 60 to 65 miles.

[Arthur]

Are they installing a stoplight on the trail to Titcomb for the eclipse?  Or just speed bumps for the crowds?

[Stephen Parks]

I’m currently in Dubois.  Not that I’ll stay here for a week waiting, but if I’m in this area for the eclipse there are trailheads nearby that connect to the same trails.

I’ve got to decide if I want to commit to a backpacking trip during the eclipse or stay closer to the car for so I can be mobile if the weather looks cloudy.

[Stephen Parks]

The weather forecast is looking a little iffy for wyoming next week  (yes that’s a long way off for a weather forecast,  but still).  I’ll probably head over to Idaho – any suggestions for the Salmon Challis/ Sawtooth national forests?

[Nick Smolinske]

The summit of Borah peak would be incredible, if it’s not cloudy. That’s a dayhike so you can be flexible if the forecast looks bad. 11:30 am eclipse time roughly, so hopefully before afternoon t-storms. But a very early alpine start to get up it in time.

Here’s a caltopo map of the eclipse path. You can right click at different spots to get the point forecast. Very useful:

https://caltopo.com/m/42S9#

Good luck! I was hoping to be in Idaho but will probably just head to Nebraska and back.

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