Snowshoe to Eagle Source

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:54 am

Oh heck, I don't think we even got there until noon and we were out by dark. You guys will have a blast with this.

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:10 pm

Trekkin' and Birdin' wrote:

Oh heck, I don't think we even got there until noon and we were out by dark.

Shhhhh, I'm trying to build a little suspense... wink

Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:29 pm

OPS.... Thanks for the starting point coords. I was going to ask if you had those. Also the starting time is great. Seeing that I have to work on Monday. It means that I can do most of the driving home while it's still light out. Looking foward to seeing all of you on the 27th.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:36 am

Any one interested in getting together with us after? We live under 30 miles away, or will everyone have to be heading home before dark?
TE

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:47 am

Timberline Echoes wrote:

Any one interested in getting together with us after? We live under 30 miles away, or will everyone have to be heading home before dark?
TE

I appreciate the offer TE, but I will be heading out after the hike. It will be just too long of a ride. Thanks for the offer.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:44 am

Timberline Echoes wrote:

Any one interested in getting together with us after? We live under 30 miles away, or will everyone have to be heading home before dark?
TE

Yeah, us too.

The kids are of the age we're happy they'll come along at all- and they have some plans for the evening so we'll have to head back afterward too. However, in talking it over I realize we're going to be hungry after this thing as we'll be getting out pretty late for lunch. So I talked to Mrs. OPS about this problem and...

She says we can have a lunch there! That's right, not only cookies, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider in the morning but when we come out we'll have hot barbecue sandwiches, chips, and soda! It won't take too long once we're out to heat up some barbecue (I have a couple of white gas backpacking stoves).

Maybe you folks could join us for the morning social? You're welcome for lunch too but we won't have exact timing on that. Either way it would be great to see you again.

WGA Member Joined: 2006-12-23 Posts: 5953

Ok, did some recon today... this might get long

Westerly route: We are able to drive a significant distance in before we opted to not go through some ruts as we had 1 vehicle and a 5+ mi hike to the closest highway.

We drove to: 45 41.239 89 03.095 then continued to walk the road to where it ends on everyones map. It is still driveable (and has been before the snow) there are 2 spots where some fancy navigating of ruts will be required but as far as we walked (sorry I left my gps in the truck) it is very navigable by truck. I would NOT recommend cars or smaller suv's. It is possible but insert popular disclaimer here. Following the footpath on the map can get you to within ~1/2 mile from the cache and its pretty easy walking, very easy snowshoe/skiing if you don't care to drive it.

Yellow Birch Road - I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PATH! We were able to drive to 45 42.189 89 00.735 , according to the map it is shared with a snowmobile trail but there were tracks down to the coords. There is easily parking for 4-5 vehicles off of the trail at the coords. On the maps i've seen the road continues SW from there and someone has driven multiple times from the coords above to the end at 45 42.036 89 00.937.

There is only room for ONE car down at the end unless you want to back out but thats going to be a treat if you do. If you don't want to drive the walk is really easy. We walked to .65 from the cache following the skiers and then ran out of time but the trail continued on for as far as we could see, well defined and generally level. If I make it out to try this again, this will be the route I take snowshoe or boots.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:51 pm

Wow Rsplash,

For someone who isn't sure they're even participating you're putting in some serious planning miles!

Anyway, here's the thing. I know at least three caching groups that have accessed the cache from Atikins Road service gate (and some claim that route turned the cache into one of their all-time favorites)- so I know it's possible and has been done. I spent some time sitting last spring unable to go back and I have a personal reason to finish what I started- as I stood in that spot last winter and made the decision to turn around I knew I would (have to) come back. We cache for the hiking and the experience and not the numbers- walking a little farther doesn't really bother us in the least. I talked to the family and we are going to go in at the Atkins road service gate.

So, that's where the hot chocolate, cider, (hey maybe even a little coffee?), and cookies will be from 9:45-10:30AM and the barbecue afterward. If some folks want to plan a trip via an alternate route that's fine with us. In fact, if they want to stop for some cookies and hot chocolate before 10:30 and then head off to an alternate route that's fine too.

We enjoyed the group hike last winter and thought we'd invite folks to hike with us again this winter. I really don't expect it to be miserable at all and I think anyone coming will have an enjoyable trip. Oh, it will be a challenge in places, but not miserable.

But, everyone should enjoy the day in the way that suits them. If it's hiking with us, that's great. If it's having some snacks with us and hiking in from another route, that's great too. And, if they want to plan an entirely different day/ route/ trip, we hope they enjoy their trip as much as we hope to enjoy ours.

WGA Member Joined: 2006-12-23 Posts: 5953

One Paddle Short wrote:

Wow Rsplash,

For someone who isn't sure they're even participating you're putting in some serious planning miles!

Had things gone as planned, you'd have found a nice little note in the cache. as it stands its possible you might still.

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:02 pm

WE will see how things go... maybe we can join ya all for the cook out... Don't count us in, unless you hear more... as there are some other plans pending now...
TE

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:02 am

Okay, I'm a definite for the 27th. Would love to carpool and catch some caches before and after. Brian, if you're reading this drop me a line, otherwise I'll be in touch after work Wink

.

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:51 pm

Thanks TE for the invite. But I will have to pass also. I will be heading for home shortly after our treak back from the cache. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather.

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:17 pm

Ya ready for another 6-12 inches?

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:05 am

I don't want to wuss out for the second year in a row, but I'm watching the weather. Hopefully things will be cleared enough for decent road travel.

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:08 pm

cheezehead wrote:

Ya ready for another 6-12 inches?

That is no problem at all. In fact it will make it better! The temps look very reasonable in the long-range forecast. But the "flurries" may or may not make for driving problems. Too far out to know, hopefully it dumps a pile of fresh snow to make the trip in even more beautiful, and then stops so we can all make the drive easily.

Now, if I was breaking trail I'd be a little worried but Bailey has already volunteered! Very Happy