East Boulder Lake in the northern Trinity Alps. (Photo by Steve Bachmann)
It took all of about 10 minutes of hiking up a hill wearing a loaded backpack for my brain to register the thought: “Why did I agree to this again?”
After eight miles of hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail on Wednesday, the voices in my head were barking a dialogue similar to this: “It’s time to be done with the physical exertion piece today. It’s time to be sitting next to a lake with your feet in the air. The Vicodin you popped is wearing off. Your hips and back are hating you right now.”
About 30 minutes later, however, I was gazing at the ridge lines surrounding the large, violet waters of East Boulder Lake in the northern Trinity Alps. The sun hung late in the sky. Purple wildflowers dotted a green meadow segmented by small creeks of melting snow.
Oh, yeah. I remember this part. It’s heaven up here.
By the way, a person doesn’t have to pack eight miles and change from the Scott Mountain Summit trailhead to East Boulder Lake. There’s a trailhead closer to Etna that gets you up there after about a mile and half of uphill slogging.
But I wasn’t going to question my backpacking companions, self-described “Beefaloes,” who organized the trip. I heard something about the need for trail time and exercise. Plus, the route seemed to make sense based on some larger trip that I was not partaking in (something about car shuttling).
Beefaloes (from left) Tom Sellers, Steve Bachmann, Jim Dyar, Dave Little and Ralph Jennings.
No matter. I’m sore, but a good sore.
East Boulder Lake revealed itself as yet another glorious destination in the Trinity Alps. The views from the PCT above Tangle Blue Lake (Tangled Up In Blue Lake, to us Dylan fans) were stunning. A backcountry dinner of spicy sausage, beans and rice continues to be the greatest culinary experience of all time. Staring endlessly into a campfire remains the greatest meditation method ever.
Long live this pristine wilderness area and all others like it. I think we’re lost as a race without these places, whether we visit them or not.
It’s not too complicated of an itinerary out there. Set up a tent. Look around. Filter water. Set up a camp stove. Breathe. Eat beef jerky. Look around. Breathe. Gather wood. Stare at a fire. Sleep hard because you’ve hiked for five hours with a pack.
East Boulder Lake from our campsite.
Some things to remember if you’re new to backpacking:
• Have a map and know how to use it.
• Buy really comfortable, excellent boots. This is one quality purchase you’ll really thank yourself for.
• Bring a rope long enough to hang food bags high in a tree. You tie one end to a rock and throw it over a limb. Bears and/or other critters can ruin your trip quickly if you leave your food laying around.
• Totally douse your fires and make sure they’re completely out.
• Bring pain meds.
• Bring quality sandals. It’s so nice to take your boots off and sandals can be emergency footwear if your boots blow out.
• Pack a quality sleeping bag. This week was very chilly in the Alps and it can snow up there in any month of the year.
• Use a water filter or similar device. (You can boil water, but it takes forever.)
• There are a lot of great (lightweight) meals that work by adding boiling water.
• Pay attention to the weight of your pack. You need to stay warm and eat, but you might not need that high-powered telescope.
• Find friends that know what they’re doing. They’ll probably bring the stuff you forget.
