August 5: Box Canyon Trailhead to East Fork Boulder River

The wilderness boundary was just minutes from the trailhead.

Once I finally made it to the end of the line and the Box Canyon trailhead I was greeted with sprinkles, flies and the smell of the outhouse. Not the greatest way to begin a trip, but better than things were a few hours earlier when I didn't think I'd have maps.

It took me close to an hour to stuff my Vapor Trail full of gear and food as I was constantly battling the flies who were intent on making my time there miserable. At various times I had 20 flies on my legs: some biting, some preparing to bite and still others having already bitten. Not fun. Even Ultrathon didn't seem to help and i was wondering if maybe this was a mistake. It should be noted that I didn't need to apply any bug dope for the remainder of the trip, however. The other time killer was folding the 4 quads' edges under so that I could figure out where I was going. it also didn't help matters that the map and guidebook trail numbers did not jibe. Typical.

Finally packed, I hit the trail at 5:10 with hopes of making the 3-plus miles to the footbridge crossing the East Fork of the Boulder River by 7 PM. Having no clue about the area or trail was a bit disconcerting, as was hiking uphill through thick forest in bear country. I promised Yumi I'd be careful and bring bear spray along---which I did---but didn't feel like talking to myself to make my presence known so I cleared my throat and grunted a lot instead.

Most of the hike was uneventful save a few brief views of the River and some of the taller peaks through the trees. I did see some snow at the higher elevations which is always a good thing. It had been a hot, dry summer in Wyoming and Montana. I saw nobody on the trail---big surprise considering the time I started---so i was able to move along quickly despite the rough, uphill trail.

East Fork Boulder River.

By 6:45 I made it to the footbridge and began looking for a good place to hole up for the night. The best sites, of course, were all illegal, but that didn't stop a friendly young couple from Colorado from taking the prime spot just feet from the river. We talked for a little bit and then I continued looking for a camp site. After 15 minutes of debting the various impacted sites in the area, I decided to backrack a few hundred yards to the first site I found. Funny. During the winds trip I kept finding better sites within minutes of our camp and now I found nothing better than the first one I found.

I putzed around setting up, checked out the trout rising in a small pool and eventually got dinner ready by 8 PM. I didn't think I was all that hungry but i managed to put away a double ChiliMac, pudding and some Craisins.

The major bonus of this camp was the perfect bear bag limb about 60 yards from my tent and the sound of rushing water just a few yards away from where I would sleep. As I climbed into my sleeping bag I couldn't help but think that, unlike Cloud Peak last summer, I had no intentions of hiking out the next day like I did then. Maybe it was the short hike in as opposed to a 12-13 mile death march? Maybe I knew what to expect solo backpacking now?

Night 1 camp site.

I unfolded my maps and spent a few minutes looking at my maps, trying to figure out what I wanted to see and where to camp for the rest of the trip. I really didn't have any more of a clue now than I did yesterday trying to determine where to go. Finally, I just decided I'd hike until I got tired, then hike a little more. Whatever happened would happen.

It was strange going to sleep without having Yumi around to talk with. I realized that I missed her and hoped she was having fun in Japan. I wondered if she really liked backpacking or just went along because it's something I like to do? I'd have plenty of time to ponder the answer to that question over the next few days. For now, I just wanted to get some sleep after the long drive out.