I left work at 1pm and went straight to the gorge and parked up the hill around the corner from the south RJ entrance. It was breezy and cool, by the bottom of the hill I was down to a tee shirt. I worked my way through Mossy taking a few breaks, and stopped to cut the tree. Then I proceeded around and down to Mossy Falls taking another break there.
I made good time to tee shirt, and then left the pack at the trail above tee shirt to explore the ridge going down. My former boss had heard of climbing in Crevasse, and I wanted to see what it was like before taking him on a RJ tour. Below the falls and on the ridge at the cliff edge was an area that was fairly flat and had live pine trees. Lots of briers on the ridge down though, not a trip for shorts. I went back up the ridge to my backpack, where I caught my breath.
Then I proceeded north clearing a new fallen tree that wasn't there last week. It consisted of breaking off limbs, more could be done. I made good time to sunshine point, again leaving the trail to check out camping possibilities. I found one spot that looked good, but the sun was still high enough, I decided to push north.
I crossed Zen creek, and took a picture of it overflowing its catch basin. I went to the area north of Zen where I had camped before, and decided to camp below the trail, and go ahead and create a space. It was little stick heaven and I put up the hammock. I also scoped out a little - the way to Zen Canyon overlook, seeing lots of downed big trees I decided my attempt Saturday would be to head east close to the cliff edge. Darkness was closing so I went back to camp.
Four guys called out from RJ asking how far it was to Conley Cove. Not sure where they were from, I didn't ask.
The amount of downed wood out there is nuts. I built a small fire about 18" across and watched it closely. In any direction from the fire about 10' or less there was plenty of wood. I cooked supper ate, then watched it as I burned a few more sticks. Since I didn't let it get big I realized I was standing around the fire shivering, so I quit feeding it, let it get small and put a rock on top, and then went to bed.
I had to get up twice during the night, the first time I stumbled down the hill and caught some briers between my toes. I have gorge tattoos there now. I noticed the sun was getting close to rising, but got tired of waiting on it and got up. Good thing too, there were enough clouds, the sunrise was not crisp.
Once dressed I executed my plan to find Zen canyon overlook. A sea of scrub pines awaited, and I made progress back to the south, arriving near some cliffs. I noticed the place I was wanting to get to was on the south side of the creek, so I crossed the creek and headed west, gaining elevation and found a way to the top. Then down to the point. Somebody had been there recently, but boy was it brushy.
Leaving the point I noticed some old flagging, and followed it. Then a double, I turned and crossed the creek. Saw two more heading up the hill to the north west, and then lost them. At that point I looked for the least obstructed route NW up the hill. After picking my way through, I found RJ in about 100'.
The turn to point where I came out is easy to find. RJ is heading basically south and turns west into the canyon where it crosses the creek. After making the turn about 100' up the hill you will see a 8+" live tree to your left leaning way over (less than 45 degrees). Turn there go under the tree head south, when you see the point head diagonal (SE) to the creek just below Zen overlook point, cross creek head West looking for a route up to the ridge, and then down the ridge.
After getting back to the trail, I went back to my camp and finished packing. I checked the fire with the back of my hand and stirred it, cold out. I then proceeded north.
About 200 yards from there the trail turned down hill, and a new tree was down. Its root ball was right in the trail, and its trunk fell just to the south side of the trail. I cleared the limbs and two trees it fell on that blocked the route- they were saplings. Its passable.
Nothing else really to note until I got close to Split Rock. I was looking for footprints where L.O.S.T. starts, because I knew several were going to hike it today. I didn't see any. As I rounded the corner, I saw people in BlueJay Canyon- the group coming for L.O.S.T. I "Hollar"ed for Ken, who saw me, we met at the top of the gully.
After talking a few minutes they headed for L.O.S.T., and I headed down into BlueJay. I took a break in BlueJay and Ken got them started then came back. I ascended out of BlueJay, stopping at Hacker's. Ken stayed back at one of the overlooks to make sure they got started well, and then caught back up with me at the flat rock North of Hacker's that looks down on it. We walked out cutting two trees and taking a whack or two at some others.
Ken gave me a ride to my truck.
It was great days in the woods.
Photos:
No comments:
Post a Comment