Hike coordinator: Brad Bishop
Narration by Brad Bishop
Well, well, well. Here we are again, another New Year’s Hike.
Thirteen lucky hikers decided to do the right thing and move their bodies and engage their minds on another North Bank New Year’s trek. We had a good contingent from the Grants Pass area come on out with us this time. Now that’s what I call dedication. Hell, I was hoping no one would show up so I could go back to bed.
After all the rain we have been experiencing my main goal was to make sure no one got swept away trying to cross a creek that had swollen. My original route seemed a bit too sketchy so I decided on a route that didn’t have any major creek crossings, but one that I had never hiked before.
As we started off confidently, within the first twenty yards we reached the first junction. I pulled out my map as our cadre looked up to see what direction their “leader” wanted to go. Only problem was, my map didn’t jive with what the trail sign was saying. As I looked at our expedition, I could see in their eyes a look of apprehension about their “leader”. Should I go on blindly leading them into oblivion or admit defeat and continue on a different path? Luckily, I had an ace in the hole. Calming everyone down, I told them to hold on for a minute. We have John “the legend” with us, surely, he would know the correct route. As I conversed with him, he assured me that the direction we were headed was correct.
Gradually we climbed up the trail observing numerous rivulets of water sometimes joining into small steams, but nothing to take concern about.
After a decent climb we came to another crossroads. Again I waited for “the legend” to make sure we didn’t descend/ascend into hell. After consulting him, and him instructing me that you have to orient the map to the geography, he said we were headed in the direction I wanted to go. And “oh, by the way, there is a kick-ass section coming up”. Uh oh, I remember from a hike a couple of years ago when John says there’s a kick ass section coming up, he ain’t lying.
So filled with confidence, away we went. Sure enough, in front of us lay the “kick ass” section. It would have been helpful to have some of the anti-gravity resources we have heard so much about recently, but we managed to conquer it with human will power.
With most of the strenuous part over, we jovially continued on. The drizzle and fog made for surrealistic landscapes, and conjured up thoughts of psycho killers or mountain lion attacks. The weather was actually helpful to vigorous hiking, and we spent our time investigating various tracks in the soft mud. We found peculiar forms – Bear, cougar, velociraptor?… or possibly a baby sasquatch wearing Crocks?
As usual, we came across nobody, except a lone hunter, and we wished him good luck.
We arrived back at the trailhead after a few of hours, and helped ourselves to some great Clam Halen Chowder and friendly hiker conversation.
Please join us next time, and see if your guide knows where he’s going.
Pictures by Rheo Wheeler
