Hoochiecoochie Wilderness, RI, Trip Repo rt

“Belle and I did a two night trip in the 200,000 acre Hoochiecoochie Wilderness, Rhode Island, last month. Here's the report...

The wilderness is within the 1.2 million acre Cheedagga NF in the NW corner of the state.

We entered at the Devil's Creek trailhead. We proceeded 11 miles up the Devil's Creek drainage to Grizzly Basin, elevation 10,340 ft. We camped there the first night. Fishing in Grizzly Lake was phenomenal. I caught, among other things, a 23 lb. steelhead.

The next day, we crossed Caribou Pass, elev. 12,200 ft., into the Wild Creek drainage. We followed the creek down to the Rocky Trail intersection, and turned up the Rocky Creek drainage to BS Basin, elev. 9,998 ft. We camped there for the night. We were bugged by a herd of caribou that grazed in the basin throughout the night. Poor Belle didn't get a wink of sleep. I guess she was afraid that they would get her food...

The next morning, we were awakened by the stampeding caribou. Upon perusal, we determined that the herd was being routed by a pack of red wolves - awesome! We ate and packed.

The last day, we crossed over Pelican Pass into the Whitewater Creek basin, and followed Tricky Trail back to the trailhead. About midway down, we saw a sow griz with three half-grown cubs. Belle wanted to give chase, but I wouldn't allow it.

We were back at the truck by mid-afternoon. The loop totaled 28 miles.

Getting there:
To reach the Devil's Creek trailhead, take I-99 North from Providence. Travel about 267 miles to exit 332, Rhode Island Hwy 19. Turn left on 19 and drive 38 miles to the forest boundry, then, 14 more miles to the trailhead - which will be on the left. Maps are available at any one of the seven NF visitors centers.

Gooooooooooooooooood times!”

“GOJO! -

Great now you've gone and spoilt my favorite backpacking spot. It was great when no one knew about it. It's one of the few places in the east with that kind of elevation and wildlife.

Call someplace paradise...”

“Were the Snipe is season yet?”

“Sorry, oh stringed one -
I was bustin' to share!”

“Sounds like great 'critter' activity. Belle must have a couple of good stories”

“I'll let her tell you about the "Try Sara Tops".”

“Well as long as the secret is out, here is a Rhode Island map.



The Cheedagga National Forest is to the northwest of the red line in the mountainous part of the state.”

“Sounds like a really cool place! Got pics?”

“Yeah, Nympho - I got pix!
(when can ya come by to peruse'em?)”

“ha ha, who writes your stuff gojob?”

“Hey, Melissaboy - nice of you to drop in!”

“rock and roll, hoochie coo!”