Sunday, April 28, 2013

Grandjean Overnighter

Deez gets introduced to backpacking in the Sawtooths, in April.

Date: April 28, 2013.

Partners: Deez.

Gear notes: Standard overnight kit.

Stats: Grandjean to Baron Creek camp. Approx 5 miles round trip with a side trip up the Baron Creek trail.

Trailhead.


We took advantage of a low snow year to get in an early season overnight hike. This was the first overnight hike Denise had been on, so we were planning for short, simple and sweet. We were to drive to the trail head and camp at Baron Creek, about a mile and half down the South Fork Payette River Trail.

Signage.
Starting out.
On the trail.

Crossing Baron Creek.


This trail is very easy and mostly flat with a minor creek crossing.


We didn't leave too early, so we didn't arrive at the trail head too early either; maybe at about 4pm or so. We found our camp site about after about an hour of walking.

Baron Creek.

Baron Creek.








We had the tent set up and a food bag hung in no time. Despite the overcast skies, the weather was actually quite warm and cooperative.

In camp.

In camp.

In camp.

Deez got her first real taste of back country cuisine; fajitas washed down with some wine. Not exactly minimalist or roughing it, but we rather enjoyed it.

Grandjean Peak.


We had some nice close up views of Granjean peak and the surrounding hills. One of these times, we will have to give it a try.

We had a warm night and were greeted with a very warm morning. We did a side trip up the Baron Creek trail, then headed back to camp for a light lunch before heading out.

Baron Peak.

This might have been Deez's first overnight trip, but she already had her systems dialed in.
We only saw two other hikers on our way back to the trail head. It was pretty crazy, and kind of sad how little snow there was for April, but we were already talking about the next trip.