Lone_Star's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 1043 (Rank: 1st)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Total Distance: 6,025.96 Miles (Rank: 1st)
Average Distance: 5.78 Miles

Average Rating: 1star (1.46)
Average Difficulty: 1star (1.06)
Average Solitude: 1star (1.36)

Earliest Log Entry: 12/28/1995
Latest Log Entry: 9/27/2023

Average ratings are based on the published values and not the values entered in your own log entries.

Photos
Mileage

Although the track file only shows 20.9 miles, the hike was 21.6 miles. The track file will usually be less than the odometer reading due to the fact it is only a periodic recording of data points. [Lone Star Hiking Trail - Kelly/Caney Creek Section]
Log Entries
West Willow Creek Trailhead to San Luis Peak summit
San Luis Peak - 9/27/2023  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4point5stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 12.29 Miles Duration: N/A

My wife and I backpacked from the West Willow Creek trailhead (near the base of 'The Ladders' on the Rat Creek route) to San Luis Peak.  The first mile was a steep and difficult climb, especially since we had packs on.  We then joined the Colorado Trail and hiked another 4.25 miles to the saddle/ridge below San Luis Peak and set up basecamp.  This 4.25 mile stretch through several bowls was absoluely spectacular.  On Day 2, we went up to the top of San Luis Peak. It was my wife's first 14er, so she was jubilant.  After taking in the breattaking 360 views, we headed back down (1.5 miles) to basecamp.  On Day 3, we hiked the 5.25 miles back to West Willow Creek trailhead.

Cooper Mountain Hike
Cooper Mountain - 9/22/2023  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 6.08 Miles Duration: N/A

My wife and I hiked to the summit of Cooper Mountain (note: some maps call it Copper Mountain).  The dirt road walk from Lime Creek Road was 2.1 miles long and a slow incline.  When the road ended, we ended up walking cross country for a little over 1/2 mile and worked out way to the summit.  On the way back, I missed the downhill cutoff back to the dirt road as a result of being distracted by a large number of blowdowns.  This inevitably had me go down the wrong side of the mountain.  About 1/4 mile down, I realized something was wrong and headed back up the hill, but it was a challenging 40 degree climb.  Once I got back on top, I found the cutoff and the barely visible trail down to the dirt road.  I want to stree that while there is a trail that runs from the dirt road up to the top of the mountain, it has not been maintained, grown over, and not easy to find.

Fern Creek to Jumper Lake
Jumper Lake - 9/7/2023  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 16.79 Miles Duration: N/A

My wife and I intended to backpack from the Fern Creek Trailhead to Jumper Lake, then to Red Lakes, down past Trout Lake and out to Knife Edge.  We planned to return to Ruby Lake on a different trail once we reached Red Lakes.  Unfortunately, we had an equipment failure (broken water filter) on the first day, so we ended up camping on the rim overlooking Jumper Lake and were forced to return the next day.  Although we never reached Jumper Lake, I did descend down the rim to filter some water out of a stagnant pond about 1/4 mile from Jumper Lake.  There was no maintained trail to follow down so I had to go cross country and fell 3 times due to the steepness.  The hike up the rim was also difficult due to the steep incline.

Overall, the trip was great and provided breathtaking views despite the skies being a little smoky from two wildfires in the region.  One thing to be aware of as far as the trail is concerned - once you hike up from Ruby Lake to the highlands, the trail becomes harder to follow since it is not maintained and doesn't get much traffic due to the remoteness.  At around 11,500 ft or so, there are pole markers placed along the trail, but it is very diffcult to see the next one since they blend into forested surroundings.  On top of that, one pole marker had blown down in an area where the trail became difficult to find.  As a result, on the way up I ended up getting off trail following some animal paths and had to search for a way to get to the point where the cutoff trail theoretically went down the rim to Jumper Lake.  I eventually found it, but by this time it was late in the day and had to set up camp before the sun went down and temps dropped.

This was a difficult hike in that it was all uphill the first day, I was carrying a 45 lb backpack (since my petite wife can't carry much in her pack), and the trail was hard to find/follow up high.  The Forest Service really needs to get off their butts and do a better job of maintaining the trail, put some cairns down (hey, rocks are free!), and add some signs at key points.  I am experienced and am adept and finding a trail and it was challenging for me, so it would be easy for less experienced hikers to get off trail and become lost and be in need or Seach and Rescue.

Del Norte Peak Summit
Del Norte Peak Trail - 8/19/2023  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 5.55 Miles Duration: N/A

My wife and I hiked to the top of Del Norte Peak (12,386 ft).  The first half was a dirt road walk, then we ascended up a trail through the woods to the saddle above tree line. From there, it was cross country up to the top and it was much steeper.  The views from the top were nice. Coming down the steep section was tricky, but doable.

Training Walk
Bristol Head Acres - Subdivision Routes - 8/9/2023  [View Log Page]
Rating: halfstar Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 1.82 Miles Duration: N/A

Short fitness walk through the subdivision.