My last post detailed the celebration of Glenn's 60th birthday. This journal entry involves the "do it while you can" approach to life in the great American west.For several years (since the Jurgens moved to Inkom) Glenn looked at the mountain summit to the east and wondered about the view over the other side. Well, now we know.
Sunday morning, May 17, about 9:00 a.m. we parked the Explorer about a mile up the road from our home and took off on a seven hour hike . . . the goal . . . the pass through the mountains directly to the east. As a secondary target, learning to better use Glenn's new GPS unit.
Perfect weather created near-perfect conditions for the endeavor. Preceding our first day of real heat (the thermometer hit 86 degrees Monday), the sun rose bright, a slight breeze rippled and the afternoon temps eventually peaked out in the low 70's.
The beginning of our trek was uneventful as we followed a well-used path to a National Forest Service yurt used frequently in the winter by hardy campers. The trail follows a ravine through which flows Jackson Creek, the same stream that bisects the Jurgen compound. Along this route we viewed a working beaver dam and pond, a local farmer's hunting camp (made from a railroad car . . . how the heck he got it back there is anyone's guess), four young tom turkeys hanging together, and of course, the yurt, dismantled for summer months.
What Glenn a.k.a., Davy Crockett/Daniel Boone Wannabe, didn't mention is that he knew the trail petered out just beyond that point. About 15 minutes of trying to 'hike' on the side of a steep hill covered with loose rock. . .convinced me that under those conditions, the summit experience would be elusive at best. Fortunately, at the last minute before leaving the house, I'd thought to bring along our Caribou-Targhee National Forest map. Ah.
A review of the map suggested we turn back, cross Jackson Creek near the yurt, and seek the trail that leads uphill from there.
Although we didn't pick up the trail immediately (ie, we crossed a couple of ravines before we found the one we sought) it was much easier hiking . . . no mountain goat be I!
At last we found access to the boundary trail. Imagine a balding man, the top of his pate hairless but a nice fringe remaining all around his head. The boundary trail is the fringe and the hairless pate is Bonneville Peak. The trail, used for hiking, four-wheeling and horseback riding, encircles the mountain which rises to 9,271 feet. Once we found this trail, the walking was easier, except for it being uphill in thin air. Aargh!
Stopping once for a snack, and a couple of times to call Meghan (to assure her we were still alive and her inheritance not yet hers) we reached the Inkom Pass at about 1:30 p.m. Thus, we achieved Glenn's goal . . . we looked over the other side of the mountains. Actually, it was spectacular.
We spent about half an hour just wandering the area of the pass . . . then turned back downhill . . . which was a bit faster traverse. . .by 4:00 p.m. we'd arrived back at the car. Hot, tired, thirsty but pleased that we'd made it.
During the hike we marveled at the huge piles of moose dung we found. An ample supply of red willows means moose do hang out "as the crow flies" within 2-3 miles of our house. At the Inkom Pass area we observed more mule deer droppings in one spot than Glenn could ever recall seeing anywhere. If we worked at keeping a keen eye, tiny spring flowers could be spotted at nearly every step.
On the return trip, we found what we believe to be the Jackson Creek Yurt Trail (the one we sought earlier in the day). By following it, we arrived back at the aforementioned hunting camp, but on the opposite side of the stream as where we'd begun.
The walk (with the exception of also aforementioned 'mountain goat' period) was not really that arduous, especially once we found the boundary trail. Perhaps what slowed our the pace the most were the frequent stops to marvel at the mountain scenery. We could see for miles and miles, down through the Portneuf River valley; mountain peaks in every direction. But the most amazing bit of the panorama. . . from every point we stopped, by looking west, we could see our own house! Not only was this fact really cool, it also meant it would be quite embarrassing if we indeed, had become lost! :-)
When we'd made it "back to base" ie, home again, Glenn studied the GPS output. He determined that Inkom Pass, as 'the crow flies' is 3.15 miles from our house. We estimate that we hiked about 5.5 - 6.0 miles throughout the day. We also learned that our new abode sits at 5,250 elevation and that Inkom Pass is about 7,570 feet above sea level.
We hope to grow old in this house, watching the Jurgen family grow and prosper and marveling at the views from our windows. But even if we never attempt the hike again, now we know what it looks like from the top!
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