Destination: Just before Snow Creek
Starting Location: Strawberry Junction
Today’s Miles: 22.50
Trip Miles: 205.00
Strawberry Junction (182.5, 8100) Just before Snow Creek (205.0, 2250)
ascent (1939) descent (7674)
With a fair amount of apprehension we headed to the infamous Fuller Ridge. This section of trail has been the first major concern of our hike. We have heard through the grapevine that the snow on the ridge can be treacherous. Not. The walk across the ridge was uneventful if you had any snow walking experience. I loved it as I bounded down the trail. Navigation could have been difficult but those who went before us laid down a clear path in the snow. During the crossing I kept thinking about John Donovan who presumably lost his life in this area last year. His body nor his gear have been found. The trek down the ridge was tough as we descended 7,000 + feet over 19 miles with no water. We tried to reach Snow Creek which was a mistake as we got caught on the descent after night fall. We knew this was a possibility and given we had a nearly full moon we pressed on. Ultimately I spotted a small bare spot adjacent to the trail and we stopped at 9:15 p.m. We were beat as we traveled down all of the ecozones except alpine, in one very long day. We had been on the trail for over 15 hours. When we stopped I realized I had pushed too far and was rewarded with dime sized blisters on both heels. I was really filthy and cleaned up as best as I could with one baby wipe and one precious ounce of water. We decided to cowboy camp (no tent) and I was a bit nervous because of the numerous rattlesnakes. We could tell we had lost a lot of altitude because the temperatures were so hot we slept on top of our bags.
Destination: Just before Snow Creek
Starting Location: Strawberry Junction
Today’s Miles: 22.50
Trip Miles: 205.00
Strawberry Junction (182.5, 8100) Just before Snow Creek (205.0, 2250)
ascent (1939) descent (7674)
With a fair amount of apprehension we headed to the infamous Fuller Ridge. This section of trail has been the first major concern of our hike. We have heard through the grapevine that the snow on the ridge can be treacherous. Not. The walk across the ridge was uneventful if you had any snow walking experience. I loved it as I bounded down the trail. Navigation could have been difficult but those who went before us laid down a clear path in the snow. During the crossing I kept thinking about John Donovan who presumably lost his life in this area last year. His body nor his gear have been found. The trek down the ridge was tough as we descended 7,000 + feet over 19 miles with no water. We tried to reach Snow Creek which was a mistake as we got caught on the descent after night fall. We knew this was a possibility and given we had a nearly full moon we pressed on. Ultimately I spotted a small bare spot adjacent to the trail and we stopped at 9:15 p.m. We were beat as we traveled down all of the ecozones except alpine, in one very long day. We had been on the trail for over 15 hours. When we stopped I realized I had pushed too far and was rewarded with dime sized blisters on both heels. I was really filthy and cleaned up as best as I could with one baby wipe and one precious ounce of water. We decided to cowboy camp (no tent) and I was a bit nervous because of the numerous rattlesnakes. We could tell we had lost a lot of altitude because the temperatures were so hot we slept on top of our bags.
Destination: Just before Snow Creek
Starting Location: Strawberry Junction
Today’s Miles: 22.50
Trip Miles: 205.00
Strawberry Junction (182.5, 8100) Just before Snow Creek (205.0, 2250)
ascent (1939) descent (7674)
With a fair amount of apprehension we headed to the infamous Fuller Ridge. This section of trail has been the first major concern of our hike. We have heard through the grapevine that the snow on the ridge can be treacherous. Not. The walk across the ridge was uneventful if you had any snow walking experience. I loved it as I bounded down the trail. Navigation could have been difficult but those who went before us laid down a clear path in the snow. During the crossing I kept thinking about John Donovan who presumably lost his life in this area last year. His body nor his gear have been found. The trek down the ridge was tough as we descended 7,000 + feet over 19 miles with no water. We tried to reach Snow Creek which was a mistake as we got caught on the descent after night fall. We knew this was a possibility and given we had a nearly full moon we pressed on. Ultimately I spotted a small bare spot adjacent to the trail and we stopped at 9:15 p.m. We were beat as we traveled down all of the ecozones except alpine, in one very long day. We had been on the trail for over 15 hours. When we stopped I realized I had pushed too far and was rewarded with dime sized blisters on both heels. I was really filthy and cleaned up as best as I could with one baby wipe and one precious ounce of water. We decided to cowboy camp (no tent) and I was a bit nervous because of the numerous rattlesnakes. We could tell we had lost a lot of altitude because the temperatures were so hot we slept on top of our bags.
Robert Francisco 
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