07/03/02:
I couldn't easily find access to Willow Lake in Pinedale so followed US-191 up to Jackson and came back down on US-89 along the Snake River into the Targhee National Forest. Lots of whitewater kayaks and rafts along this section of the river.
Bypassed Grey's River access to Bridge-Teton National Forest in Alpine and continued south. Will check it out on the way back.
Turned into Willow Creek access at Turnerville and found a spot to camp for the night. Followed Willow Creek Road a couple more miles to the end and found a path leading off over the hills. DeLorme shows some trails back there but nothing marked. Passed a horse trailer and a couple cars heading back there as I headed out.
Bypassed Periodic Spring access in Afton and tried Dry Creek just south. That turned out to be a bust as the dirt road got too steep and rough for me and I had to back out.
Cottonwood Lake access road in Smoot turned out to be better. Followed it all the way to the campground which is $5/night. Found a free camp site 1/4 miles before the campground and spent the night there.
07/04/02 Hiking Sheep Pass (9 miles round trip):
Fourth of July! Hope there's no extraordinary fireworks in the world today.
Saw the beginning of several trailheads when I checked out Cottonwood Lake Campground. The lake is pretty but tiny. Even so there were guys out in a powerboat fishing yesterday. A canoe and a raft were just idling along.
Hit the trailhead at 8am and it was still in the 40's. I had on my vest and gloves. Started down one trail because the other crossed a stream too deep and wide to avoid getting wet. This trail started fading in and out right away so turned back.
Found a way across the stream but then had to fight my way through dense saplings. Had to cross the stream again a short way ahead but it was shallower and narrower. Followed an old forest road steadily upwards.
Came to a steep section and glanced across the stream. There, through the trees I could see a moose in a small clearing. I climbed higher to a better vantage point and could see it was a cow with a calf. The calf way laying down and all I could actually see was its big ears twitching now and then as it fended off mosquitoes.
I watched for 10 minutes and the cow hardly moved a muscle. It seemed to be staring at me but I believe they have poor eyesight and I was 50-75 yards away. Finally the cow wandered into the forest. The calf got up shortly and followed.
Much of the trail wandered upwards through meadows covered with purple flowers, red ones, yellow ones and dandelions. Out in the open the sun beat down and the temperature went up. Lots of pine forests, meadows and sharply sloping hills.
Two hours into the hike (1.5 hours of climbing) and 1200 feet in elevation, my legs were tiring and I was getting a little dizzy. Having no idea what lay ahead, other than another 1300-1500 feet to Sheep Pass, I turned back.
07/05/02 Hiking Periodic Spring Trail (1.5 miles round trip):
The Cottonwood Lake area is a rather confined area and was starting to fill up with holiday weekenders and their dirt bikes and ATVs so it was time to move on. Stopped at Afton to do laundry and a little food shopping.
The Periodic Spring turnoff into the national forest is right there so off I went. Nice, pretty drive with heavily forested 1000 foot cliffs. The road follows Swift Creek as it tumbles its way to wherever.
The road ends after 5 miles and a trail continues along the creek and through a deep canyon another 3/4 mile to Periodic Spring. This spring flows out of a hole in a steep cliff and runs down to meet Swift Creek. In late summer the spring is supposed to stop and start every 18 minutes or so. Apparently it was still to early in the summer because it was a consistent flow.
Even so, the drive and little walk were worth the effort. The spring and runoff are surrounded on three sides by 700+ foot cliffs. The runoff itself flows under a large snow bank that looks like it might last all summer. Very pretty.
The Grey's River Road into the forest in Alpine goes on and on, 30 miles or so. Actually it probably goes all the way back down to Afton. I turned around after 30 miles. It follows the Grey's River most of the way. Seems to be a very big fishing river, mostly fly fishermen.
This is a very pretty area with the river and steep, forested slopes and mountain peaks. Lots of great camping spots along the river, most of them taken on this four day Fourth of July weekend. I had no trouble finding a quiet, shaded spot away from the river.
07/06/02 Hiking White Creek Trail:
Drove around a little this morning exploring and finally found the White Creek Trailhead by chance. Sounds as good as anything else so I set out at 9:20am from 6600 feet.
Crossed several mud holes churned up by horses and then came to a crossing of the White Creek. Too wide and deep to cross without getting wet. Looked around a few minutes for a better crossing but no good. I found a log across the creek but it had no bark and was wet from spray and I knew it would be slippery. Ditto for a bunch of rocks that almost spanned the creek.
So, off came the boots and socks and I started across. Ow! Within 5 feet my feet and shins were turning numb. Not numb enough not to feel each pebble and stone I stepped on though. The creek is only 15 feet wide but seemed 115.
Got to the other side without mishap, got the socks and boots on and started up the trail I no sooner felt my feet warming up than I came to another crossing. No way across again except to wade. Off came the socks and boots again as I started across another 15 feet of cold water.
I made up my mind right there I wasn't going to do that again. Freezing feet and shins and stones digging into my digging into the bottom of my tender feet.
The trail follows the White Creek much of the way, sometimes wandering away, sometimes drawing near again. I guess I was getting paranoid for every time I heard the tumbling water getting closer I'd think "Oh, no!"
I passed through a large meadow covered with daisy like yellow flowers interspersed with red flowers, some purple ones and some blue ones.
Then I was faced with another crossing. This time I had a couple of logs to help me across with no difficulty. Another meadow, this time mostly purple flowers with some smaller yellow ones.
After 1.5 hours I came to the fourth crossing and called it quits. 2+ feet deep, fast moving and nothing to help me across. My feet gave a quiet gasp of relief. They still had two crossing to return but no more bruises nor abuses.