FremontGuy floated out the offer to do Clear Creek yesterday; dp400 accepted, I waffled, and D36 joined in at the last minute.
As I pulled into camp, FG was a close behind, followed by dp; then later by D36. Us first three went on a short loop while D36 was getting ready; I spun off early and returned to change the needle clip position. By the time FG & dp returned, all four of us were ready to go. And go we did. FG took us on some fine trails out and to the northeast. We eventually met up with one loop of the Wild Boar enduro, albeit, in the opposite direction.
As we were taking in the fine oak- and grass-covered trails down, down and down, we crossed a small creek and stopped for lunch. We then headed in a little further then turned around to head back out of this steep wooded and grass-covered valley. At that same time it started to rain lightly, enough so the trail became immediately slick, and the soil caked in between the knobs, and then built up to huge proportions, to where forward motion eventually became impossible, even on down hills. Up to then we were spending a tremendous amount of time and energy gaining little progress. It became apparent the time was approaching to hike out and come back for the bikes another day, with sunset approaching.
FG had called to notify the authorities of our situation, and they had sent out a law officer to find us at the predetermined location at the trailhead – we never made it there that night.
Stumbling in the darkness, we had followed what we had best thought to have been the trail, only to get side tracked near the end upon a mountain/trail side-spur. FG’s cell phone battery had gone dead, and up to then he was in contact with the officer, although unable to determine our location. Though we saw his vehicle’s headlight and searchlight on the distant ridge, the meeting of the two was not to occur tonight. The weather was too foggy for a helicopter to do any good, and there was a cold breeze. I later found out it dropped to 38 deg. F at the camp.
FG had a space blanket, and the four of us huddled together to share what warmth a huddle and the blanket could retain. All of our drink systems had run dry by this point, and though we had some trail snacks remaining, no appetite was present.
I do not think any of us got any sleep the entire night; I came close a few times but with shivering and chattering of my teeth every few minutes true rest escaped me. All of my clothing was soaked from the rain, and none was removed so as to keep in what little heat my body could generate, even my helmet. I could feel the clod through my toes, thinking frostbite was inevitable, figured if this kept on for long, they could be lost for good here soon.
With daybreak came new hope, and back tracking a bit revealed we had taken a spur to a dead end. With that, some encouragement arose that we may very well find our way out this day. It wasn’t that far to where the main dirt road was, and we saw evidence of the officer’s passes and missed opportunity to be spared a night out in the cold.
We began out hike back to camp – some 20-miles. I went on ahead, thinking if I were to get back first then return to drive my three companions back. At the halfway point the helicopter buzzed a few times; I signaled, and heard something being said but it was not distinguishable, so I continued to hike on. At one intersection I heard some motorcycles, and eventually was able to get the rider’s attention. Mind you, this is a Monday when the area is all but abandoned. One rider gave me an 8-mile lift back to camp, and his two buddies went up the road from which I had come down to look for the other three. Upon arriving back at camp, dp and D36 were already there, dressed, waiting my ‘copter drop which never occurred due to the ride.
With that we thanked our rescuers, and planned our return this Saturday to retrieve our bikes. Anyone want to lend a hand? We have a plan, and would welcome the company. Dp and D36 will be confirming the meeting place and time.
As I pulled into camp, FG was a close behind, followed by dp; then later by D36. Us first three went on a short loop while D36 was getting ready; I spun off early and returned to change the needle clip position. By the time FG & dp returned, all four of us were ready to go. And go we did. FG took us on some fine trails out and to the northeast. We eventually met up with one loop of the Wild Boar enduro, albeit, in the opposite direction.
As we were taking in the fine oak- and grass-covered trails down, down and down, we crossed a small creek and stopped for lunch. We then headed in a little further then turned around to head back out of this steep wooded and grass-covered valley. At that same time it started to rain lightly, enough so the trail became immediately slick, and the soil caked in between the knobs, and then built up to huge proportions, to where forward motion eventually became impossible, even on down hills. Up to then we were spending a tremendous amount of time and energy gaining little progress. It became apparent the time was approaching to hike out and come back for the bikes another day, with sunset approaching.
FG had called to notify the authorities of our situation, and they had sent out a law officer to find us at the predetermined location at the trailhead – we never made it there that night.
Stumbling in the darkness, we had followed what we had best thought to have been the trail, only to get side tracked near the end upon a mountain/trail side-spur. FG’s cell phone battery had gone dead, and up to then he was in contact with the officer, although unable to determine our location. Though we saw his vehicle’s headlight and searchlight on the distant ridge, the meeting of the two was not to occur tonight. The weather was too foggy for a helicopter to do any good, and there was a cold breeze. I later found out it dropped to 38 deg. F at the camp.
FG had a space blanket, and the four of us huddled together to share what warmth a huddle and the blanket could retain. All of our drink systems had run dry by this point, and though we had some trail snacks remaining, no appetite was present.
I do not think any of us got any sleep the entire night; I came close a few times but with shivering and chattering of my teeth every few minutes true rest escaped me. All of my clothing was soaked from the rain, and none was removed so as to keep in what little heat my body could generate, even my helmet. I could feel the clod through my toes, thinking frostbite was inevitable, figured if this kept on for long, they could be lost for good here soon.
With daybreak came new hope, and back tracking a bit revealed we had taken a spur to a dead end. With that, some encouragement arose that we may very well find our way out this day. It wasn’t that far to where the main dirt road was, and we saw evidence of the officer’s passes and missed opportunity to be spared a night out in the cold.
We began out hike back to camp – some 20-miles. I went on ahead, thinking if I were to get back first then return to drive my three companions back. At the halfway point the helicopter buzzed a few times; I signaled, and heard something being said but it was not distinguishable, so I continued to hike on. At one intersection I heard some motorcycles, and eventually was able to get the rider’s attention. Mind you, this is a Monday when the area is all but abandoned. One rider gave me an 8-mile lift back to camp, and his two buddies went up the road from which I had come down to look for the other three. Upon arriving back at camp, dp and D36 were already there, dressed, waiting my ‘copter drop which never occurred due to the ride.
With that we thanked our rescuers, and planned our return this Saturday to retrieve our bikes. Anyone want to lend a hand? We have a plan, and would welcome the company. Dp and D36 will be confirming the meeting place and time.
