Overnight 101 – Middle Fork of Ross Creek

Please note the Difficulty Rating of each hike and choose hikes within your personal physical limits. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early!

Thank you for your interest in this hike! Unfortunately, this is an OLD hike. Please revisit our Current Hiking Schedule to select an alternative hike.

Aug
Saturday
26
2017
Date: SaturdayAug 26, 2017 through SundayAug 27, 2017 (Multi-Day Hike)
Rating: Moderate
Leader: Marjolein Groot Nibbelink
Contact: marjolein.gn@gmail.com   
Directions to Trailhead or Meeting Location:

The Middle Fork of Ross Creek is accessed via the Ross Creek Cedars. To get there from the south, take Hwy 200 to Hwy 56 at the “Bull River Junction”.  (About 25 to 30 minutes east of Clark Fork, or about 20 minutes west of Trout Creek).  Turn north on Highway 56, go about 18 miles and watch for the forest service sign for Ross Creek Cedars, turn left.  Follow the signs to the parking lot for the Cedars.

Hike Description:

Have you always wanted to go for an overnight backpack? Maybe you couldn’t find anyone to go along, are looking for confidence or simply haven’t gotten around to organizing it. This ‘overnight 101’ provides the opportunity to do it, meet new people and have a good time. This hike is mostly flat and includes two stream crossings. With slight ups and downs and one short steep climb, total elevation gain over 5 miles is just 500 feet.

The area was gravely effected by the 2015 fire and you will see ancient cedars burned down among lush wet primary forest, covered in moss and old man’s beard. Water is abundant. The water and shade of this valley provides cool hiking conditions. Views are limited but glimpses of the Compton Crags are well worth it. Mostly, the moist forest itself feels very different from many other places in the proposed wilderness.

Our sleeping place will be at an old horse camp at the end of the trail with water nearby. We should arrive there fairly early, allowing for meanderings up creeks or wandering around the forest in the afternoon. If you want to leave camp, someone with navigating skills or knowledge of the are should accompany you. No-one leaves alone.

Everyone is responsible for bringing and cooking their own food but we will assist or offer tips. We can provide water filtration systems and bear canisters but encourage bringing your own for a full experience. In this area food must be stored wildlife proof. Hike leaders will pack first aid kits and are recently (re)certified in wilderness first aid and CPR.

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Here is a suggested packing list:

SLEEPING
Tent (if you feel like it)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Pillow (easy to make by stuffing clothes into your sleeping bag case)

COOKING
Stove (duh)
Pan(s)
Bowl/cup/plate (you can use pan lids for cutting surface and plate)
Knife/utensils (tip: pocket knife works and almost anything can be eaten with a spoon)
Water (rule of thumb: minimum 1 gallon per person, per day for drinking, cooking and washing)
Food (important: put out your full meal plan. Lay all meals and snacks on a table before packing to make sure you don’t pack too much or too little. Eating snacks between meals will help maintain a consistent energy level. Meats may be cooked over a camp fire, but there is no grill. Fresh items can’t be cooled during the day, but at camp may be kept in a stream.)
Coffee (you will love it!)
Plastic bags (for trash etc.)
Lighter/matches

CLOTHING
Long pants
Short-sleeve shirt / tank top
Long-sleeve shirt
Warmer layers for the evening and morning (it get chilly)
Rain gear
Hiking shoes/boots (low shoes are ok, as long as they have a firm sole. Ankle support will help deal with the extra weight of your pack. No tennis shoes, Crocs or flip flops, please.)
3 pair of socks: 1 for wearing, 1 for drying, 1 in reserve (you WILL get your feet wet)

HYGIENE
Toilet paper
Soap

COMFORT/OPTIONAL
Mosquito dope
Sunscreen (NOT optional)
Hat
Casual clothes for around camp
Evening drinks (always nice to have a drink by the fire at night)
Camp chair (there are many logs to sit on BTW)
Games / playing cards
Book/journal
Pencil/paper
Camera (think of that photo of you wading across a river!)
Binoculars (wrens, varied thrush e.g. abound!)

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