Grove Creek Campout, May 10-11, 2013

Grove Creek Campout - May 10-11, 2013

Who:
Gabe Aroca
Bryan Beausheur
Bryan Goodman
Todd Goodman
Zach Goodman

Paul Bodily
Colter Dalton
Andrew Mitchell

Where: Grove Creek

Travel Log:

We met at the Church after school on Friday and threw our backpacks in the back of Brother Dalton's truck and drove 15 minutes to the trailhead. We hiked about 2.12 miles to the waterfall (which was something less than spectacular in its early Spring splendor), gaining about 1500 feet in elevation. None of us had ever made the hike before (in fact some of us had never backpacked before), and at that point we were looking to find a good camping spot. And we weren't alone: we were competing with two or three other groups. The intensity was only heightened by a rusty hack saw hanging from a tree branch in the middle of the trail. We managed to bypass them and after hiking another half mile up the trail, arrived first in a small heaven-sent meadow with several beautiful babbling brooks:

It should be mentioned that Bryan B. bravely dared the hike wearing snowboarding boots (without the snowboard). He says it felt like having 20 pound weights on each foot. Now that's intense!

When we first got to the campsite, it began to drizzle rain (Brother Bodily had indicated at the beginning of the hike that there was a 0% chance of rain. Jinx!). So we quickly set up tents (also to claim our spot). Thankfully the rain passed quickly and thoughts turned to food. The Goodman's and Gabe brought stoves and we feasted: Uncle Ben's Teriyaki rice, Peanut Butter and Honey Bagels, Spaghettio's (family size). Gabe made all our mouths water with his Mountainhouse Chicken & Rice and Breakfast skillet. Amazing!!!

To wash down our FANTABULOUS feast, we had to pump some water. But it came at a price. First we had to pump it. The Goodman's brought a brand-new water filter and we all gathered around to celebrate the inaugural pumps. We all groaned when frothy water emerged. After a few rounds, it started to clear up and after that we enjoyed the pristine, ice-cold, all-natural, mountain-creek nectar. "Enjoyed", that is, until half of us discovered we had giardia (or was it giarnia? or glor-i-a? dunno...). Just kidding. But really... Zach and Bryan G. both got hit with a bout of stinging nettle. This is what IT looked like:

We quickly identified some nearby Lamb's Ear, which looks like this:

which we applied to the stinging (along with some anti-itch wipes) and it miraculously cleared up!

Aside from that, the only other thing we found in the meadow was a pile of kidney beans we found by the brook.

As it got dark, we played Bases, which is something of a mix of kick the can, red-light-green-light, and hide-and-seek... with bases. The meadow was perfect for Bases (except for more stinging nettle).

We then had a little John Denver sing-along (Rocky Mountain High and Country Roads) and Brother Mitchell treated us to a little "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers. We took turns talking to man about a horse... and then a trailer... and then an ATV... and then back to a horse. We toasted off a bag of marshmallows  (Brother Dalton makes a mean s'more. A really mean s'more).

Then thoughts turned spiritual. We talked about Faith and sang A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. We read a bit from the scriptures.

After a resounding amen, we spent some time talking about hunting (don't worry: no baby ducks were harmed in the course of our conversation). And then we hit the sack!

Next morning we busted out Bryan B.'s (full) box of Instant Oatmeal, but not before pulling out the Goodman's tent poles while they were still in bed! Classic! (Don't worry. We put them back)

Then we pretty much packed up and left. On the way back we tore down the mountainside. We. Hauled. Check out these stats:

• Fastest Speed: 12.4 mph
• Average Speed: 4.7 mph
• Total distance: 2.62 miles
• Total time: 35 minutes

Let's hope our knees hold out.

What a sweet campout!

What we learned about Backpacking:

1. Good footwear is critical: wear comfortable, light-weight athletic shoes
2. How and what to pack
3. Watch for evil plantlife! (We mean you, stinging nettle)
4. Coffee filters work well to extend the life of your water filter