by zippetydude » Mon Jun 20, 2011 1:10 pm
Hi everyone!
I’m looking forward to the 25th!
Final Plan: Saturday, June 25th, 2011, going up Aspen Grove Trail. Meeting at Aspen Grove Trailhead at 7:00 a.m. to hike up to (or towards) 10,000’ ridge together. I already have the permits, and there is extra space. Guests will choose their own distance and pace. This has worked out fine in the past, so no worries, come one, come all. The trail is mildly uphill, initially following a creek. About a mile up, there is a nice meadow almost hidden off to the left, just before the trail intersects with the Fish Creek Trail. If anyone isn’t in the mood for a long hike, this is a very pleasant place to relax. After the intersection with the Fish Creek Trail, it’s still quite a way to the summit. My thought is to just go up and explore 10,000 Foot Ridge, which is interesting and much shorter.
We’ll try to finish by around noon, then drive back to Barton Flats. I’ll have a camping spot or two, so we’ll kick back there and have a potluck and just relax and enjoy each other’s company. If you want to stay the night, call me or PM me by Wednesday night and let me know if you want me to try and get you a space. Sites are just $25 a night and they have a 2 night minimum. Each site can hold 8 people, so we’d probably all fit into just a couple of spaces, and everyone would bring their own tent and split the cost of the site, making it pretty cheap for everyone.
If you can’t make it for the hike but would like to come up and have a good time together, please do.
Location: Both Barton Flats and the road to Fish Creek / Aspen Grove Trailheads are on Highway 38, east of the Jenks Lake Road (the road that takes you over to Forsee and South Fork trailheads).
Directions to get to Barton Flats: Just go up Highway 38 for 19.25 miles. (Stay left at the split 6 miles up, go towards Angelus Oaks, not Forest Falls). You’ll pass the Barton Flats Visitor Center just before you get to the campground. Barton Flats Campground will be on your left. I’ll post the site number after I get it, and I’ll make a sign for the site so you can easily find us. It’ll say, “Hikin’ Fools Get Together”.
Directions to get to Aspen Grove: Continue 5 miles east on Hwy 38 past Barton Flats to Heart Bar Campground. You’ll turn right onto the road, which becomes a dirt road, and in just a little way splits, with the right side going toward Fish Creek / Aspen Grove. This is a bumpy dirt road, but you’re only going to go 1.3 miles. The trailhead is well marked and easy to find.
What to Bring:
Essentials: Bring a main dish (if possible) and a little something else as a side dish for the potluck, cold beverages of your choice, and anything yummy you’d like to share with friends. There are no stores in the vicinity, so be sure you bring your goodies with you in the a.m.
Comfort: Camp chairs would be a good idea, a little bit of firewood if you have any. Temperatures should be mild – the current forecast is a high of 77 and a low of 52.
Fun: If you have a game or musical instrument or something like that you’d like to bring, that’ll be great.
If you have any questions, give me a call or PM me.
z
As I've told other greyhounds -- the only way I get to visit with you is when you're not running/hiking -- in other words, EATING 
