Mel and I had two great adventures at camp this past weekend. This is NOT the story about the adventure where it was getting dark, we were running out of gas on the 4-wheeler and had to ride hard top d-line for 10 miles or so to get home on gas fumes. This little adventure seems more like we planned it, even though we had no idea what we had planned.
Mel worked on her 4-wheeler riding skills over the weekend. I suggested it would be a good idea since we tend to hit some pretty remote areas. She was slamm'n mud holes and 3-wheel'n a 4-wheeler before the weekend was over (she could get it in reverse, too!).
Mel worked on her 4-wheeler riding skills over the weekend. I suggested it would be a good idea since we tend to hit some pretty remote areas. She was slamm'n mud holes and 3-wheel'n a 4-wheeler before the weekend was over (she could get it in reverse, too!).
So anyway, we decided to ride to Holly River State Park. We visit there often, take pictures of a waterfalls at Potato Knob and visit Shupe's Chute. I realized we'd never actually tried to go up Potato Knob Trail. This is probably because it looked pretty steep (and it is). On our last trip to camp, we discovered that about the only 'trail-like' thing about Holly River State Park Trails are the trail markers, when present. A GPS Unit is recommended, FYI.
We rode to the Park from camp, about a 30-minute ride, probably 8-10 miles. The road is gravel mostly and a really beautiful ride. When we arrived in late afternoon, there was no one around, no vehicles in the parking lot, and it was a kind of overcast afternoon. So, I strapped on the camera backpack, canteen, took a rain coat, and handed off the tripod to Sherpa Mel.
The trail is steep. Very steep. Once again, Holly River State Park trails are not for children or the faint of heart or body or mind or poor shoes or heavy backpacks.
There were a number of times when we thought we must be about to reach the summit, but we were wrong several times. At one point, we shed much of our gear, after about 45 minutes up the mountain. There was no one within sounding range, and the next traverse was steep and slippery. And, it was not the last or the worst. The last rock shelf climb is about 10 feet high. Unlike National Parks, there are no steps or stairs, just slick rocks polished by the people before you.
In the end, it was worth the climb. The vista was magnificent. Some hardy souls had packed enough works up the trail to build a friendly bench to rest upon. Unlike my recent adventure to Yellowstone, I expected no crowds nor roaming rangers. I knew should the Park Ranger find my 4-wheeler in the parking lot when they closed the gate at 10pm, they'd be pissed if they had to gather troops to come look for us, especially after they learned I was a WV native.
The trip back down the mountain was easier, but the quads suffered the 30-minute down-hill trek, nonetheless. At the bottom, we still had some time before dark, so we took a breather and water break near Shupe's Chute and I got a few good, late evening shots.
A 30-minute ride home and it was time for a camp fire, some olives, cheese, bread and of course, a Martini. Another successful camp adventure complete, I now have an ideal, if not convenient, mountain top vista for my list of place to photograph. Until the next adventure begins...