Iva Bell Llama Rama 01

“Well the airline restrictions cut the gang to 3, (plus the boys).
Had a huge steak dinner prepared by Chef John on Friday nite.
Headed out around noon the next day with clear warm skies with no breeze. The trail is mule battered and dusty, but the scenery made up for it. Always bring a bandana on a llama hike or stay out front.
Mel had us stop at an old Indian "chipping" site for the first nite. My friend Dave score a "point" within a few minutes of looking. He's got the luck in every situation.
The "Boys" or "idiots" as Mel refers to them, were well behaved that nite, but I still got NO Sleep!! A curse I've been given while in the backcountry.
Loaded up and on the trail by 10:00 the next day. Pulled into the Box Canyon that holds the Hot Springs by early afternoon.
We scored the best site in the canyon for both human and llama. That first soak was soooooo good!
Did not have the place all to ourselves, but our neighboring "Hot Springers" were for the most part, a minor distraction.
After nite two of no sleep to speak of, Dave and I hiked up the canyon to "Lost Key Lakes".
The fishing turned out to be "awesome", lots of 14" to 16" inchers. I found a great cave high up the Mountain face overlooking the lakes and the canyon and valley beyond to put my Grandparents urns to rest. After some prayers and a few tears, I headed back to the camp for a HUGE fish feast.
Day two in the meadow was a rest day for Mel and me, but Dave took off for a solo adventure up and over the beautiful ridge above our camp.
Caught a few ZZZ's during the day, and had another fish feast that nite.
Dave and I headed out the next day to "Explore" the Fish Creek section that few get to see. No F*&#in wonder!! One of the craziest scrambles I've ever done!! Jumping from boulder to boulder, some the size of Mels house! The creek finally funnels down to a dumping out place with 100Ft. walls about 30Ft. appart. Would not want to be in that gorge during a good rain. Scratched and beat up pretty good, we stumbled into camp for more soaking and another fish feast. A full belly and warm bones and muscles, is a hard combo to beat.
Not having to hear about all the B.S. going on down in "flatland" was great. Having to pack up and head out was something I did not relish, but all trips must come to a end.
A big steak feast at Mels and back to the city, and all the chaos.
Got the picks in the mail today and will get them back in a few days to share with all who care to peek. Mel took a bunch, I took only a few. Hope we get some keepers.
That's all for now. Whew!!”

“Sounds like great fun!! Thanks!”

“thanks for the report,I went last year with Mel and hope she goes again next year so I can go again.”

“Nice report. Thanks!”

“I'm looking forward to seeing the pics. I woulda loved to go on that one, but prior commitments...”

“You talk about crazy hiking boys!

Dave and Didj climbed up some stuff I did long ago, and said I'd never do again - the trail is THAT steep.

Then they go and invent something even MORE difficult to climb around in.

EEEEEEEEK!

Yeah, so sorry we missed the rest of you going.

The weather was just as nice as last year when I went out there with JVZ and Kent and a few of their friends.

The leaves were just beginning to turn and most of the trail up through the canyon to the springs is through big aspen groves with some really old trees.

Iva Bell is the perfect place to kick back and escape stress.

You set up camp on the meadow margins under the cedars and pines, then go park your fanny in one of the clear 100+ degree "tubs".

Or break out a good book and sit in the shade.

It's quiet, serene and the little 15 or so acres of meadow and trees is quite beautiful.

I can't see any reason why we don't do another trip there next fall or spring.

I just need to find out what time frame would be good for people.

Iva Bell is a great early or late season trip.

June is good because the snow is gone from that elevation (7,000 feet) by then, and there are no people.

September is nice too, because there are no bugs, and night temps are still above freezing.

Think we could get a few of us together next year to go back out there?”