The Ride In
As mentioned elsewhere, Grannies was closed for breakfast due to Covid so we were on our own. We were due at the Irma at 6:00am and I got up at 4:45. Eric prepared us a feast in the RV.
As we ate and chatted, we lost track of time. When I finally looked at my watch, it was 5:45 and we had to clear the dishes, get the water off the RV (for the week we would be gone), get stuff to the car, drive 5 minutes to the Irma. We skidded in at 6:05 and everyone was waiting on us. Nice start.
So we caravanned for an hour drive down to the trailhead.
There were actually 3 camps worth of hunters plus the mule trains to support them all trying to get on the trail.
The mules and some of the other camps got going first and then it was our turn.
We met up with our other camp-mates and our leader for the ride in - Pooch. Pooch is a 73 year old guide who runs a tight ship. No time for niceties. Get on your horses and lets go. I think that this is the only photo that I got of Pooch - from the back. I was pleased to have the steps for mounting.
One at a time, Pooch and his grandson, Garrett, got us all mounted.
These were big horses - a lot bigger than on my practice trail rides at home. They had bag lunches and water for us to stuff in our saddle bags.
And then we were off - before 8 a.m. we were across the road and immediately into the switchbacks to gain elevation.
I had heard a lot about the duration of the ride into camp - reported to be 8 to 10 hours. But other than that, I had no idea what to expect, no advice or instruction, just get on the horse and go. Didn't know the people, the horse or what was next other than a long day.
We started up the side of the mountain and pulled over to let a mule train get in front of us. It was quicker than us and we could keep seeing glimpses of it on switchbacks higher and higher up the mountain.
The horses seemed to know what they were doing and didn't take a lot of "driving". But the trail just kept getting higher and higher. Narrower and narrower. I was literally sitting on a horse on an 18" wide trail on the side of a cliff. Eric took the photo below just before his horse did a switchback to be on the trail where I was.
And then we went across the top of a running waterfall on rock, at the edge of the drop-off and came back on the other side of that chasm. The pictures don't do it justice - I was terrified and holding on for dear life. And we just kept going further and further up the side of this drainage.
We were gaining elevation all the time and getting closer and closer to the snowline. Can you see the horses on the trail in this next photo?
This went on for a couple hours without pause - I kept expecting some sort of easing on the trail and some sort of break. I was holding on with white knuckles and too scared to take many photos.
At some point we crossed from the north side of the creek to the south side. We had a short pee break and then immediately remounted. Eric and I looked at each other with one of those "what did we get into" looks. Pooch said we had to keep moving. Knees and hips were stiff but tolerable. We started to see a little snow and crossed back to the north side of the creek. South side had been less terrifying.
But on the north side, we started back into the hairy stuff - this time with snow cover.
It was getting to be noon and we got into a little bit of a traffic jam with another group on snowy switchbacks - they let us go first for some reason.
Pooch turned around in his saddle and said "leave three horse lengths between you and NOBODY STOP!"
And we rode out on a tiny little trail of snow covered switchbacks leading to the pass. A cliff rising above us to the right, and a chasm dropping below us to the left. Photos do not do it justice.
We later learned that the previous group had to ride out in several hours of continuous rain/sleet/snow. At least we had bluebird skies.
There is a special sound that a horseshoe makes when it is skidding on rock preceding a horse stumble. It sends a bolt of panic thru your body.
But somehow, we made it to the pass at 10,400 feet. And it was past noon.
I'm glad that others could take photos - I was focused on the 5' in front of the horse and holding on with all my might.
Having no idea what to expect next but relieved to be at the pass.
Whew! And then Pooch told us to dismount. Over the week I learned that you ride the horses up the steep stuff but you walk them down it. But I was kinda ready for the next pee break. "Not yet!"
I told Eric that I was pretty sure that the load in my pants was only my padded underwear.
So we walked the horses down from the pass on the snow covered switchbacks. A short video of the action.
Walking Down From Pass
And we got to a meadow at the bottom and Pooch said "2 minutes for a pee stop - eat your lunch in the saddle on the trail". Huh? Is he serious? He's mounting up. And so we did.
Apparently Pooch has a timetable in mind and we weren't making his milestones. He wants to make camp while there's still daylight. Ok, but these hips and knees are starting to lock up. Actually, the walk really helped.
The trails and terrain on this side of the pass are wonderful in comparison. I'm getting sore and weary but it is a delight to just look around.
We pass another outfitters camp, and we're basically following the Thorofare river all the way down.
But the hips, knees, ankles and feet are all starting to sing. Amazing horses - a full day's hard work in perilous conditions with unknown passengers. Some slow down and then want to trot but otherwise they are reliable machines. And we barely gave them a drink when crossing creeks.
At about 5:30, Pooch starts whistling and a couple little dogs come out to meet us. We made it to camp.
We get assistance to dismount, claim our bags and guns (they arrived ahead of us by mule), and stagger into a tent to collapse for a few minutes. Back to the dining tent to meet for orientation with Jon and Sheila. We met Derek, Tate and Chris. Then an alfredo pasta dinner and collapse in bed for a 4:00am breakfast.
The Ride Out
This is a little different because we've all seen it once. We've had a week in the saddle. We know each other. Has to be a little better - right?
The camp staff has been up early working to get the mules packed and on the trail. Hunters due to mount their horses at 7:00a.m. - after pancakes and cinnamon rolls.
We're on the trail as the sun is coming up.
It's another sunny but brisk morning - same as all week.
The ride up the Thorofare drainage is gorgeous.
Due to circumstances described in another post, Garrett is the leader on the ride out. One of the hunters, Steve, brings up the rear with a radio. Garrett accommodates requested pee stops.
Some of the pleasurable parts in video.
In the Woods
We encounter mule trains and hunters from other camps on the trail.
We start approaching the pass by about noon. It's different - no snow.
In the background you can see a mule train on the switchbacks leading to the pass.
We ride up to the pass from "the easy side" and dismount.
And now we get to walk down the hairy side. Eric caught a short video.
Start of Walk at Pass Here's a video that Garrett took.
Pass Trail Look Around
The snow was gone but the sheer dropoffs were not. I think that walking was a little better.
Garrett in the lead.
It can be steep in any direction.
After we get down a ways and look back, you can see where we've been.
After the pass a mule train caught up to us - it had some nice heads onboard.
As I remembered from the way up, the south side is definitely less hairy.
But eventually we had to cross over and face it again.
What a relief when told to dismount for the walk down the switchbacks.
We made it to the trailhead at about 5:00.
My right hand may be permanently deformed from the death grip that it had on this device for most of eight days.
At the trailhead - one last photo. Then we made arrangements for the meat and took the cape and rack.
Luckily, it fit ok.
Other posts on this trip:
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