Today was another early morning start, both to beat the heat and get to where we needed to be before it got too dark - The Esplanade, where we camped only four nights (or a lifetime) ago. Additionally, we needed to carry all our water out: we would not hit water again until we reached the trail head. All water containers were filled, bladders were filled, and carrying containers filled.
Breakfast: Granola and (powdered) milk and coffee:
The trail from Deer Creek was a fairly rapid ascent.
Looking back at Deer Creek:
Deer Creek Spring was not very accessible; we were correct to fill up before we left.
The Thone Room. Over the years, "thrones" have been assembled (most likely by rafters and hikers).
They are about as uncomfortable as they look:
The ascent from Deer Creek to Surprise Valley took about two hours. It did get hot as we ascended, but not nearly as hot as the descent had been.
Welcome (back) to Surprise Valley!
It was another two hours from Surprise Valley to the Esplanade:
The Esplanade lies at the top:
The Window going up:
Welcome back to the Esplanade!
Lunch (in the cluster of shade we could find) was tuna mixed with sunflower seeds, cranberries, and Italian dressing accompanied with Triscuits. This is another standard I have on every hike with this company and I love it (and should remember to eat it at home more often as well. So easy, so much protein.).
Hiking back towards where we camped on our first night:
After our arrival back, some of us hiked on to see some pictographs.
This was our highest mileage day at almost 11.5 miles, including the hike to the pictographs. Dinner was a hearty Vindaloo, Coconut Chicken and Naan.
One more evening of amazing sunsets:
Quite the series of photos TB, got tired just looking at them. Curious, overnight temps were......what? And a Merry Christmas to you and yours TB.
ReplyDeleteNylon 12, the first night on the Esplanade was the coldest; maybe mid 40's with residual moisture on the fly. Every night after that was warmer, mid 50's to 60's. The last night was warm enough I slept out under the stars.
DeleteLooking at your pictures now, I can easily imagine the heat, dust and aching muscles from the climb. Twenty-five years ago, I thought of none of those things. Ah to be young again.
ReplyDeleteEd, great point. All those are real now. On the bright side, I physically felt okay on the whole hime, so that was a victory of sorts.
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