Sierra Quemada Backpack Big Bend Fall 2008 – Day 1
The plan for this trip was a Sierra Quemada Backpack. An early breakfast and a pleasant drive from the Basin to Mule Ears Overlook, we loaded up some final items in our packs and proceeded down the trail. It was a cool, but not cold morning and the trail was devoid of any other hikers. Our first break was at Mule Ears Spring, and not surprisingly it was full and flowing. We rested awhile and listened to the steady sound of water while contemplating what the rest of the day/s would bring.
A quick shot of the old rock corral looking back toward the SW
After a brief rest, LG Knees and I headed past the spring and bisected the drainage that would eventually lead us uphill to the escarpment that overlooks the braided washes of Smoky Creek. We again rested here for a while and looked out across the creek in the direction of our destination for Day 1… Smoky Spring.
Once down the escarpment and across the low rolling hills, we reached the braided wash and the big cairns that mark the beginning of the Smoky Creek trail. Knowing that a 105 deg heading would lead us toward Smoky Spring, we took off, up and out of the wash directly toward the spring. In retrospect, it would be far easier to travel downstream and enter the wash that leads to the spring. We did a little bushwhacking and a few short detours, but eventually ended up in the wash just below the spring.
Water was flowing/seeping over a small pouroff below the spring and we continued above the spring and found a suitable place to set up camp for the night. Dinner was in order, so we fired up the JetBoil and did the Stroganoff thing….I think that has become my favorite MH meal
We explored the general area around out campsite, drank cups of hot sweet tea, and settled into our bags early and watched the stars. It was great to be able to laugh, and tell jokes, and listen to LGKs without the daily distractions. Life was good!
We had traveled 5.2 miles that day and achieved our goal. Little did we know that tomorrow would be significantly different than today. But ignorance was bliss and we slept like babes….