West Boulder Canyon backpack

[te_wa]

i will not be able to lead the advertised hike as i will be travelling out of town for a pre-christmas trip. Ya'll have some fine holidays and a great new year. mike

[wallyfrack]

There's a possibilty I'll be free this weekend.

[rally_toad]

I'll be in if it is firm for that weekend.
I did the upper portion from First Water to Willow Springs and Adolph Ruth camp and back as a day hike. Not too bad with only a day pack, just creek bed walking. Never seen the Southern portion.

[te_wa]

cool, RT. It seems judging from the pics, that it is not as tough as Rough Canyon. It will be a tough climb at the very beginning going up to W. Boulder Saddle - and most of the trip appears to be difficult (again, using pics as guide) only because of the amount of trees.
Like said in the trip reports for the lower (northern) end, and your own recollection, that part is basic. I can only say from research that the first 4 miles will be tough.
im in

[rally_toad]

Just a wild guess on my part would say that this one wont be as hard as Rough Canyon if its dry, that campsite near Blacktop looks nice. Im in on this one if it stays on that weekend. The 2nd day of hiking will be nice and easy at least.
FYI When I was in West Boulder the only water source that looked good enough to treat was Willow Springs, I dont know what the chances would be of finding water in East Boulder would be if the winter rains havent started yet, and if the winter rains have started by then, this could be a really tough one.

[te_wa]

the rain expected over today and tomorrow will certainly add water to that area, as it is a hard (basalt?) creekbed with hundreds of potholes and catch pouroffs. How much water will remain in the creekbed remains uncertain. I would love to see .5 inch fall in the area and that would leave just the right amount in WBC for the weekend planned.
if more than enough rain hits the area i will do something else. cold & wet in December is not my favorite.

[nonot]

Don't bring your good clothes or skin, I have a feeling you will encounter the bumper crop of catclaw.

I have this on my list to do but that weekend doesn't look promising.

[djui5]

Don't bring your good clothes or skin, I have a feeling you will encounter the bumper crop of catclaw.

Yeah, this hike can beat you to death if you hit the wrong spots. North past Willow Spring it's fairly open with a lot of boulder hopping. Not much of a trail left anywhere. Once you get up by Old West Boulder things are a piece of cake.

[te_wa]

im going to CA for the weekend so this trip is cancelled. (for me at least) ;)

[wallyfrack]

Looks like te-wa's gone Hollywood.

[hikeaz]

Looks like te-wa's gone Hollywood.

The squirrel-in-ata.....

[te_wa]

i'll be bahhk



im considering a White Canyon trip which would be an easy backpack w/ base camp near the top so we can explore Walnut and other areas.
we could possibly do an easy truck shuttle starting in White Canyon and hiking up to Roger's Trough along the AZT
it would be for Jan 3-4
i dont think i can swing the trans supes thing but dont want to stay home either

[rally_toad]

Dude if your going to White Canyon, you should wait for me to come back from the supes, thats another place I've been dying to go to.