MRT Day 2: Canyons & Wilderness

Daily Miles: 15.5, Total Miles: 30.2

I should really know better but the sandbar was too sloped and I was sliding up and down all night. Other than that, not a bad rest and nice, cool sleeping temperature.

I remember the Sycamore River rock walk from 50 years ago – hasn’t gotten any better! There were four or five good water pools in the first mile and a half heading upstream. I also recalled this morning an old friend from one Sycamore Canyon hike long ago. We explored a cave in the sandstone walls and he found a baggie of a green leafy substance. He thought he had really scored! But later told me he would never smoke green herbal tea again.

I left Sycamore Canyon and turned up the Winter Cabin Trail. A steep climb up a somewhat overgrown trail near the bottom with a total elevation gain of 2,500 ft. I had a nice lunch and filtered water at the Winter Cabin and spring.

I reached the top and used Forest Service roads for three miles to the Secret Mountain Wilderness and trail. Along the way, I grabbed a liter of rusty water from the bottom of an old barrel adjacent to the Hidden Canyon. The skies darkened and a little unexpected snow along the way. I can still say I have been snowed on for every thru-hike I have taken!

Next, I steadily dropped into deep Upper Loy Canyon, losing the same 2,500 ft over four miles before realizing I may have overshot the camping restriction boundary in Loy Canyon. I stealth camped far off the trail just in case. I set up camp in a light sprinkle.

I saw a pack of ATVers, a couple loading young mules on their first pack trip and a few day hikers.