Bechler Day 2

I actually slept pretty well but we still didn't get moving until almost 8. It didn't help that the overcast clouds made it seem later than it was. We did hit the trail at 10 and about two miles in saw some loose horses. We had made it to the stock site, 9A2.  The people were friendly and they hit the trail soon after we passed them because they passed us as we were drying our feet at the nearby stream crossing.
It sprinkled off and on as we made our way up the hill toward Dunanda. We opted to take the lower trail that runs through 9A3. We grabbed a quick lunch and the changed into our bathing suits and headed for the hot springs. And was it ever beautiful. After about an hour and a half of floating, it started to thunder so we decided that it might be good to head back.
About 1/3 of the way down the trail, it started to rain. Now, I had made the fatal error of believing the forecast of 30% chance of rain and not brought a rain jacket. I have learned this is not wise in the past but somehow I forgot. So I was pretty well soaked through. But I did stop by the horse camp to drop off the sunglasses that had been left at Dunanda. The owner was pretty darn excited to have them back.
When we got back to camp, it was still raining, so Trudy and I crawled into the tent to read for awhile. We got out for a quick dinner and then drifted off to sleep

First day in Bechler

I picked Trudy up a little after 8 and we were off -- over Dunraven (the Norris road was closed) and then Canyon and out through Madison. We stopped in West for coffee, whiskey, and sandwiches from Eddie's Deli. The BLT was $11 but there was a LOT of "B" so it worked.

Thank God Trudy remembered how to get to Bechler because the signage is horrible. After about 11 miles down a gravel road, we got to the parking lot. And So... many... cars. Good Lord. The last time I came down. I remember a few cars on the day we went in and only one other on our way out. Today, the lot was full. Thank god I have a mall car or we would have been waiting around for the two tours that had just come out (about 10 eating a picnic lunch and another 10 or so getting off a horse ride). 

We checked in with the backcountry office and were on our way.

The whole time we had been talking about this trip, Heidi and Trudy had been warning me about the slough crossing and the subsequent bog. We forgot it has been a very dry fall and the slough crossing was barely above my knees and the bog was completely dried out.

We knew we were about 4/5 of the way there so we stopped for a whiskey break. It was delightful. 

We continued on to 9A1 and set up camp and filtered water. We had our permit checked by a young ranger who wanted to make sure we weren't up to any tomfoolery. Then dinner and just waiting for an appropriate time to turn in.

Roosevelt Cookout

Jeanette picked me up just after 2:30 and I hopped in her truck with Carrie. We headed upturn hill and picked up Mel. Traffic was light and we made it to the corrals by 3:35z as we arrived, one of the wranglers started explaining the ride. He was a fantastic speaker and was able to stretch his talk when the other speakers were not loading the horses as quickly as he expected.
Cole and Ric were our wagon leaders. We had a lot of fun on the way out with a mixture of Cole telling us some of the history and explaining some of the natural elements here. Then he had everyone introduce themselves and say their favorite part that they've seen or want to see.
Then we made it to the cookout and Jeanette brought out her water bottle which was filled with wine. And we sat and enjoyed that while the food line went down. Then we got up and waited in line with options for cornbread muffins, coleslaw, potato salad, corn salad, and steak. Delicious, perfectly cooked steak.
Then there were songs and stories around the campfire. And back onto the wagons and back to Roosevelt.