An experience of a lifetime. The ultimate adventure for a city kid. It cemented my love of the outdoors and hiking/exploring what's around the next bend.
DETAILS
> Saturday July 12 to Sunday July 20, 1975
> Made the drive in an RV. Had to be because we rode in it. Where did all the equipment go? Second vehicle?
ABOUT RAWAH WILDERNESS
The Rawah Wilderness is administered by the USDA Forest Service. It is located on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado, near the Wyoming border, and also in the Routt National Forest to its south. It encompasses 76,394 acres (309.16 km2) and includes 25 named lakes ranging in size from five to 39 acres (20,000 to 160,000 m2). There are 85 miles (137 km) of trails in the area and elevation ranges from 8,400 feet (2,600 m) to 13,000 feet (4,000 m). Much of the area is traversed by the Medicine Bow Mountains and the Rawah Range for which it is named.
Located on the southern end of the Medicine Bow Mountain Range in north central Colorado, Rawah Wilderness was designated by the Wilderness Act of 1964. "Rawah" is a Native American term meaning "wild place." The high peaks were carved by glaciers, resulting in spectacular cirque lakes and moraines. This high alpine area contains the headwaters of the McIntyre, Rawah and Fall Creeks, as well as the Laramie River. The Rawahs are host to mammals such as elk, moose, mule deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, marmot and beaver. There are many species of birds including the red-tailed hawk, white-tailed ptarmigan, golden eagle, raven, Steller's Jay and a variety of warblers. Lakes and streams are inhabited with lake, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout.
RANDOM MEMORIES FROM THE TRIP
> Playing Monopoly on the way out.
> Trout fishing using just line and a worm. Rainbow trout. Hitting them on a rock and gutting for breakfast.
> Mosquitoes were so bad we were typically in our tents by 5pm.
> Tents were provided. From who, I don't know. They were not from our troop supply.
> I remember I was always near the front when we were hiking. I kept a good pace.
> I remember going up a hill and behind some trees to do my "business". I moved a rock, did what I had to do and moved the rock back.
> I don't recall who I shared a tent with. It seems like it would have been Chuck Welch but not sure.
> Dad bought me a down sleeping bag for well over $100 (might have been $120) and a pad.
> Got new Red Wing hiking boots.
> Climbing mountains and realizing you are not at the top (yet).
PHOTOS FROM MY CAMERA (can you imagine if I had a smartphone?)
Jim Ascione, Doug Jones, Chuck Welch, JJ Haag, Bob Meyers, Jeff Lemons (seated)
Roger Anderson and his parents.
(Below) My standard pose of looking off in the distance. One of my favorite photos of myself. We found walking sticks when we got there. We cut them to size...peeled bark etc. I still have mine and it's a cherished item. At the end of the trip, I used a magnifying glass to burn in a "legend" of our trip...an accounting of the trip. I know I finished it off with a woodburning tool I had at home. Not sure what type of wood...maybe ash.
LEGEND ON THE WALKING STICK I STILL HAVE
6 - Fish
1 - Mountain
10 - People
6 - Days
5 - Nights
Tents weren't huge but got the job done. I don't recall how they were carried...if we took turns carrying on our packs. Looking at the photos, I'm not seeing tents strapped on to anyone's backpack.
Doug and Jim taking it all in
A steadying hand
Hiking with Chuck, JJ and Bob. I remember thinking we made it to the top of something only to find out there was more to go!
We left Colorado and took a northern detour on the way home and went to Cheyenne Frontier Days.
I remember eating in a restaurant after eating freeze dried meals all week. Wyoming native Curt Gowdy was announced being in the press box.
PICTURES I FOUND ONLINE
The following pics I found online to help fill in my memory...
This sign left an impression on me.
Camp Lake comes into view.
Camp Lake meadow
Camp Lake Rainbow (I remember this something we encountered as well. I swear I could see the end of the rainbow.
Camp Lake where we camped and scouts from Nebraska were fly fishing.
Entering the wilderness area
Rawah Lake
Stream
Trail
Blue Lake Trail
Camp Lakes, Rawah Lakes and Twin Crater Lakes Loop Trail
Island Lake via West Branch Trail
McIntyre Creek
Rawah Trail
The ford
