A Short Apology and a Short Trip Report

“I'm horrible at writing trip reports. I have a hard time getting my thoughts organized enough to write them. I usually just ramble on and on. So, I would like to apologize for not posting my Canyonlands report like I said I would.

The trip was so awesome, and my journal notes are so scattered, every time I try to write about it I feel it (my writing) diminishes the adventure. So, I'm still trying, but no promises.

Now for a short report on this weekends trip.

I left Saturday for Lusk Creek Wilderness Area. This destination was featured in the most recent backpacker magazine. I wondered if the affects of this could already be seen.

I arrived to find the trailhead packed with vehicles. Coolers of beer and lawn chairs everywhere, some people had even set up one of those giant dome tents and were camping right there at the trailhead. I couldn't handle it, I left. I'll only go there during the week from now on.

So, I went to one of my other favorite spots, not too far away. I'll refer to it as The Crag. The hiking is strenuous and the place is not well known. Mine was the only car there.

I hiked up to the top of an 80 ft. cliff overlooking the valley. It was a beautiful evening, about 65 degrees with a slight westerly breeze. The moon was almost full. I threw my sleeping bag down on a rock outcrop with an incredible view. One of the reasons I love this spot so much is the lack of bugs. The bugs in this part of the country are real bad, but this lofty ridgetop is breezy enough to keep the bugs at bay. One of the few spots where I can sleep without a tent, which I did. The only sounds I heard in the night were the coyotes and a bobcat screaming. I enjoyed being out in the open and eventually drifted off to a perfect nights sleep.

I woke up at 5:30 am, to a clear, blue sky. After boiling water, I drank my coffee and ate my oatmeal and fig newtons. I quickly packed up and was on the traiil by 6:30. I followed the ridgeline for a while and then up and over to another ridgeline. At this point I had always followed a trail that headed south into the forest, but I decided to do a little exploring.

I continued over the ridgetop and headed down the other side. About a mile down I spotted an old, narrow, dirt road heading north into the forest. The forest around here has a lot of old unused roads. Some are Forest Service access roads and some old county roads. It proved to be passable only on foot, it was so severely rutted out with some low areas transformed into swamps.

I follwed the road for several miles and it led me to some great rocky outcrops and more awesome views. Eventually I came to an area where the road forked. Straight ahead the landscape was solid, rolling rock. Very lunar-looking, similair to Utah's slickrock. I decided to camp here and spent the rest of the day climbing and exploring the immediate area.

I saw a tall, dead tree that looked like it had been struck by lightening. I was still about 40 ft tall, and taller than all the surrounding trees. 4 large branches jutted out at the top. Several Turkey Vultures were soaring in the thermals overhead. As I followed their lazy cicles, 4 broke off and flew towards the tree, they each perched atop one of the branches. It was a beautiful sight, I wish I would have had zoom equipment.

Late in the afternoon it started raining, hard. I set up the tent and settled in to read Edwin Way Teale's "Wandering Through Winter". It's a pretty good read, following a naturalist's journey across the states in the early '60's.

It did quit raining early in the night, so I got out and did a little night hiking, enjoying the after-rain smells and the night time views of the valley.

I awoke early again this morning, to a cloudy day. After breakfast I decided to hike out. The woods smelled great, wildflowers in bloom everywhere.

I didn't see a single person on my hike out, just the way I like it.

This is finals week, so after that is over my girlfriend should be able to come with me to this locale. She hasn't been there yet and I'm looking forward to sharing it with her.”

“Sounds like a nice Hike M-Nutz. I am attempting to throw togheter a last minute trip on memorial day with a few hiking budiies of mine. Lusk is one place we are considering, and based on your description, it sounds like a great spot. Thanks for sharing the report!”

“That was a great trip report and Thanks for sharing it with us!

Now hurry up and get Canyonlands done, I can`t wait to read it too!LOL”

“Thanks for the report! I was afraid that would happen to Lusk, as if the trails aren't overused as it is. Hmmm..care to tell where you ended up going?”

“I won't post the location, but I would take people there.

Looking at the map, I see a few other ways into Lusk Creek Canyon, other than the trail-head. I think I'll check those out next weekend.”

“Nice report m-nutz; you did a great job.

My first time camping was going to be a this great state park way out on the Olympic Peninsula. Being new to WA, I had no idea that it was so well know, and the camping amounted to pulling your car into a spot and camping next to it with the masses.

We pulled out & headed to the coast. That was our first night camping all alone on the deserted shores of Yellow Banks. We will never forget it.”

“M-nutz, Where are the pictures located from the canyon trip? I'd like to see the picture of your Akto tent.”

“RichB - Here's a link to the pic index. Pic 7 shows the tent and there is another pic of it on the next page. I've got some more too, I'll try to get them scanned in soon.

Akto pics.”

“M-nutz, Thanks for the link to your awesome photos. I just checked out the scenery you shot and it is outstanding. It reminds me of the terrain they use when they make outer space movies. Great drum tight pitch on the Akto using rocks. Where were the canyons located?”

“In Canyonlands National Park. Island In The Sky, and Needles District. It's an incredible place. The geology is breath-taking, and it goes on for hundreds of miles (600 square miles).

I'd like to go back in the fall and check out the third district, The Maze. It is supposed to be the most inaccessable and remote area in the States.”

“Sounds really great. Hope you get to check out the Maze.”

“Great Canyon Pics!! I just returned from a weekend in the Needles District of the Canyonlands. We hiked into Druid Arch. Did you hike into it? We threw our packs down and enjoyed the view and napped below the arch. That was my first trip to the desert and I'm still in awe. Thanks for posting the pics. I have a few that I'll try to scan in also.”

“The pics are really nice. What a beautiful part of the country.”