Gospel Hump Wilderness

I hiked the ICT West Alternate route, part of which passes to the north side of the Gospel Hump Wilderness.   through the previous experience of my friend Jerry Finnegan (ICT Class of 2009) I learned about the *horrible* condition of the trail from Sourdough Lookout east to Five Mile Pond.   I made the decision to go THROUGH the Gospel Hump rather than around it.   I wound up crossing the Gospel Hump twice.   I came in from the east, from Orogrande Summit on one hike with one of my sons, then came in from the west from Square Mountain Lookout and went across the wilderness to connect, with another one of my sons.   in this way, I made a connecting trail between Rocky Bluff Campground all the way over to Five Mile Pond.

This illustrates a point I would like to make to prospective ICT hikers.   especially when dealing with the trail up north (north of the Salmon River).   it's okay to give yourself permission to deviate from the *official* trail.   There were several places that I chose to re-route, for various reasons.   Water and Safety were usually high on the priority list.  

This video shows my first Gospel Hump hike, from Orogrande Summit to Hump Lake, with son Daniel.  

http://youtu.be/GmcSbFcil-g


Ron

(ICT Class of 2011)

http://llamasyndrome.blogspot.com

Owyhee Desert pt. 1

Two friends and I attempted the portion of the ICT from the Nevada Border to Winter Camp on June, 17, 2012 with mountain bikes.  We were all in pretty good shape, and had prepared and coordinated our work schedules for this day months in advance.  I guess we couldn’t prepare for the 1^st triple digit degree temperature of the year.  Although we made it to Poison creek with ease and knew prior to arriving that there probably wouldn’t be any water, it was still a kick to the gut when our assumptions were confirmed.  It was a few miles north of this, that one friend began to slow down, and take a lot of long breaks.  When we got to the cut off road to the Bruneau River, we knew that he was going downhill quickly, and that he was probably going to need medical intervention.  My other friend rode on, in hope to find our support team who was at Winter Camp.  I stayed with my sick friend and urged him to go on as I attempted to get to a location with cell service.  15 miles from Winter Camp, I was able to get a text message to my wife, but not my support team.  10 miles from Winter Camp, my friend collapsed with heat exhaustion.   I had brought my work radio, and was able to communicate with Elmore County Dispatch.  I relayed my urgent situation and our GPS grids to them.  I stood in the blazing heat acting as an umbrella while sprinkling my remaining water on my sick friend for 90 minutes until Life Flight arrived.  My father-n-law arrived on his motorcycle around the same time as Life Flight.  He gave me much needed water and took my sick friend’s bike back to Winter Camp.  My sick friend started losing feeling in his extremities, and went into heat stroke minutes before Life Flight landed.  I now had to continue my trip and try to catch up to my other friend.  I met up with him on the west side of Winter Camp Canyon, just in time for me to start suffering from the effects of heat exhaustion.  We rode through the canyon at an incredible slow pace, until the both of us came upon a rattle snake in the middle of the trail.  My senses were probably only at 50% and I only saw a dark blur and heard only a faint rattle, before I was right on top of it.  My friend was able to maneuver away, but not before he witnessed the snake strike and bite the frame of my bike.  I received a surge of energy and sped to the base of the east grade of the Winter Camp Canyon.  I couldn’t ride or push my bike up the 200 yard long grade.  Half an hour later, I got to the top and met the rest of my support team.  I started to vomit uncontrollably and had horrendous body aches.   They rushed me back to my wife who is a nurse and (pardon the pun) nursed me back to health over the next few days.  My sick friend actually recovered faster than I did, but my medical bill was $30,000 less than his.  Come to find out, he had just recovered from the flu and an 8 pound weight loss the week before.  We found out the hard way that this portion of the trail shouldn’t be attempted after the first of June through the end of September without an immediate support team.  Also, I cannot stress enough the importance to pre-hydrate the day before your trip and the need to bring PLENTY of water with you!  As for the trail itself, It was well marked, except for the mile right after the Poison Creek crossing, which added another two miles to our trip.  During our ride, I would say that only 20% of it was mostly smooth compacted dirt, while the rest of the trail was both very rocky and bumpy or 4” of fine dust.  For the most part, this portion of the trail wasn’t fun at all.  We did see plenty of cows and antelope, in which we almost ran over 2 fawns that were bedded down on the trail.  Good luck and be safe out there!

class of 2012

Thomas Oord completed his thru hike of the ICT on August 17, 2012.  
CONGRATULATIONS TOM!!!!

Thomas Jay Oord

August 19

I completed the Idaho Centennial Trail on August 17! Thanks to all for your support on this long journey, especially to my wife,Cheryl Oord. I'll post photos when I arrive back in Nampa...

Marble Creek in Frank Church Wilderness:

On August 2-11, 2012, a group of volunteers and myself cleared the Centennial Trail from the Thunder Mountain trailhead about 10 miles down to Bellaco Mine and then down to Dynamite Creek.  We cut out hundreds of large downed logs, brushed the trail 8 feet wide for pack stock use, rebuild numerous rock retaining walls and widen the tread in many sections.  There are over 12 fords (ranging from 6"-24" inches deep) of Marble Creek in the section we worked on.  Expect to get your feet wet.  The Centennial trail downstream from Dynamite has over a hundred down logs and a few brushy section.  A volunteer trail crew is going down there next week to try to cut a few more miles downstream and hope to get the trail cleared 6 miles down to Canyon Creek.  If you are doing this section expect numerous fords and sections where you lose the trail.  The old trail bed is still intact but often hard to find in the brush.  You can find good camps at Bellaco, Brush Creek and Dynamite Creek.  Have fun.

ICT thru hiker 2012 update

Tom's latest progress report is from August 9th.

he made it to the town of Clark Fork, and is still experiencing stomach problems from the *bad water* a couple of weeks back on the Stateline trail.

he has about 10 days of hiking left to get to the northern end of the ICT.

ICT thru hiker 2012 update

here was a previous update post for Thomas Oord, so it's a little out of sync but still showing his progress.  

Tom's Walkabout Stats so far:

700 miles completed
300 miles to go
1 wolf sighting
4 bear sightings

1 pair of shoes demolished
1 backpack too small due to weight loss
60 mile daddy/daughter trek
2 walking sticks stolen by porcupines
15 family resupply trips
1 adventure of a life time

= 1 happy hiker husband

 — with Thomas Jay Oord and 3 others.

ICT thru hiker 2012 update

1. 
   

   
   

   Thomas Jay Oord

   Friday

   I'm taking a sabbath rest from the trail in Mullan/Wallace. I drank some bad water 50 miles back and have been sick on the trail the last few days.
   
   I did see a moose, another wolf, and a badger during the last week. I've walked more than 900 miles now, and I've got about 200 to Canada.

   
   

Hunter Transfer Camp to Willow Creek Rd/S Fk Boise

July 5^th 2012 - ICT Hunter Transfer Camp to Willow Creek Rd/ South Fork of the Boise River -  Hiking about 16miles in about 9hours 30mins. Ok no bicycle this time it’s all Shanks Ponies as my Folks always called ‘em. Just a Day Pack about 20-25lbs of mostly survival gear and of course my walking sticks. For those of you who don’t hike with Treking poles, an old stick you carve along the way or something to steady you on the uphill and downhill sections –“Just get some and try them on one long downhill that’s steep sometime and then see if you don’t carry some after that”. The hike went smooth and the trail was easy to follow. From tracks I would say more dirt bikes thru here than anything else. I can’t complain they keep the logs cut out and the trail well worn, I must admit sometimes the dirt bikes leave nasty ruts and loose rocks on the steep sections but it’s all good. If you are on a steeper section and hear bikes coming, it can be smart to give them a little room. Most of them are real good people but they might have to be blasting bye to make it up the section you are on, so step off the trail if you can and wave as they go bye. I find most are very respectful and only a few jerks give these guys bad names.  The hike up the N Fork Lime Trail was rather easy with several creek crossing most knee deep or less but you will get your feet wet unless you do some long jumps or bank exploration. Fill up on water before hitting the top or you won’t find any water until you get almost to the S Fork of the Boise River, about the last 6-7 miles. There was one small drizzle near the top of Trail 037 but it will likely not run for much longer. The last 3-4 miles down Trail 037 is steep and single track with loose dirt, gravel and rocks from the dirt bikers, use caution going down this and definitely get some hiking poles. These steep loose rock sections will hurt you fast if you don’t take them slow and steady, plan on only making 1 to 1.5 miles per hour thru here. It can be done faster but you can also roll to the bottom of the canyon on your head too. This is a good long day hike that will be about all most people will want in a day. It is also a great assessment hike for me to see exactly how much mud I got for the upcoming sections that are longer. Came accross a herd of sheep near the top of the drainage and two big sheep dogs that gave a few growls and barks but stayed their distance. Great views from up top before dropping back down to the Boise River.

Happy Trails

Bennet Mtn To Hunter Transfer Camp

June 30 2012- Near Peak of Bennet Mtn Rd to Hunter Transfer Camp aprox 26.5 miles Bicycle and some Walking-3hours 15min. Downhill from top of Bennet Mtn across Highway 20 and onto the Castle Rock Rd small walk but otherwise ride like the wind. Going up Castle Rock had some walking uphills as well but otherwise a nice bike ride.

                          Just one of Many of the Rock Formations

The Rocks are Amazing and very interesting to see. I could go back here to see those again. Across Pine Featherville Rd a nice change from the dirt for a litle ways. Now thru the Cows and the fine silt dirt that feals like wet cement. Watch out for the Bulls They DO Have the Right-of-Way! No problems at all with the Cows for me. The last couple miles downhill to Hunter Transfer Camp. Goal Score and anotherone bites the Dust.

ICT thru hiker 2012

in 4 weeks Tom has walked the ICT from the Nevada border to roughly the middle of the Frank Church Wilderness.     Options Thomas Jay Oord Friends, I'm sending this from a "ranch" in the middle of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. This is my sabbath day in the middle of a 17-day, 230-mile trek through some wild and wonderful places. It's part of my summer-long 1,000+ miles Idaho walkabout. Things are going well, although I really needed a rest day today. I hiked 31 miles through the wilderness yesterday, and about 12 of the miles had a lot of downed trees across the trail. Bummer. Enjoying the adventure! Tom

ICT desert Rock Coral Access to Bruneau Canyon

June 16th 2012, Bike and Hike from near Rock Corral Access to Bruneau Canyon Overlook, About 37miles with a backtrak of another mile or two, about 5 hours. Started where I left off from after my derail episode earlier(see previouse Blogs). Day was long trail conditions dry rocky and like what I had encountered thru here before on the earlier forays. Came across two sisters who were hiking the ICT and well due to the heat, their water situation and sore feet caught a ride with my support Crew. A note of caution for those of you hiking this desert section, from Nevada to Hammet, You can not carry enough water or walk enough miles to make it with any measure of saftey. This whole section can be accessed with 4x4 no problem unless wet and muddy. Either Cache lots of water at short intervals or just have them follow you or go ahead several miles and make camp with all the fixings. This ain't no joke or me being a wimp, just straight up good advice that might save your life. Sure there are people that do it have done it and  will do it again without support vehicle but they run a big risk. Do Not underestmate the Desert or you may not live to regret it.
Water can be found at Winter Camp along the trail and that is about it. Watering tanks for the Cattle off the trail a mile or more at times might have water but....
Walked thru winter Camp for a break from bike and met a Father and Son on Enduro Dirt Bikes who were riding the trail. Funny he said his first impression was to fly over this whole section and riding it on motorbikes was kind his limit. Other Motor Bikers I met on the Trail Called me "HardCore" for riding a bicycle thru the desert. Frankly I thought I was kinda cheatin and wimpin out. So if I am Hardcore for Bicycling you people that Hike this entire Desert Section.... Well you have my Respect and my hat is off to you "AdamantiumCore"(I guess?)... LoL
Finished up at the Overlook and was quite happy to have this Desert Done!

ICT Bennet Mtn to Hammet/I-84

June 10th 2012 - Hwy 20/Cat Creek Rd to Hammet/I-84 Was supposed to be about 36.5 miles but I bailed on about 5.5 of it, save till next time. So I started out on my bike at Hwy 20 and made it less than a mile up the road before my chest was beating outa my heart and dizzy was getting my head. Ok I wimped out had no mud and had the suport crew drive me to the summit for some down hill I wouldn't die trying to bicycle. So the other side and I'm flying down hill no pedaling needed for the most par clear to where the trail leaves Bennet Mtn Rd and goes out to the HOODOOs. After surveying the first bit near the Road I put up the bike and got on the hiking shoes to hike thru the next 3 or so miles. The walk down over the Basalt Rim Rocks(Hoodoos) was a nice break in between biking sessions. The Trail is not always apparent but the White Trail Markers are plentiful and have little arrows even to direct you in the general direction of the next marker. You eventually hit a real old and brutal 4X4 goat path that winds accross the face of the rim and down thru a draw that had running water in it. Didn't really expect it but it was there. there was anoter small old drain that also had water down lower a mile or so before you hit Alkali Rd. At Alkali I got back on the bike and rode in the wing the howling wind to I-84 near Hammet. This lower section over the rolling gravel roads ate my lunch. The wind at one point was in my face as I came down a small hill pedalling to gain momentum for the up section to follow only to have the wind blow me to a stop. Now I know it blows out here Heck ya think them big windfarms are for grins and giggles but this was not fun but plain old pound it out work. I later learned that the Ironman Triathalon in Boise the same weekend was shortened on its bike ride due to wind, and this made feel proud that I still managed to grind out nearly 27+ miles on my bike and the "Iron Men and Women" only did 12.

Thomas Oord thru hike 2012

Thomas Oord has started his south-to-north ICT thru-hike attempt.  He began at the Nevada border on Sunday June 3rd and is already at the southern end of the Sawtooth Mountains.  I have been following his Spot messenger updates.   Let's cheer him on as he attempts to go all the way on the ICT in the next few weeks, targeting mid August for the finish line.    his latest Spot link (this opens in Google maps).
http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=8Em7m

Murphy Hot Springs Airport -2miles past Corral Rd.

June 2nd, 2012 - Murphy Hot Springs Airport to about 2 miles past the Corral Access Rd, Bicycle, about 24.5miles in about 3 hours. Planned to go about 34 to the Indian Hot Springs Access but a rock had a different idea and derailed me wrapped my chain around the crank and pinned it between the frame and the rear suspension. Hey at least I didn't go over the handle bars into the sagebrush n rocks, thats gotta be good fer somethin'.

Somewhere in the Desert there is a Rock with a mark on it, I know I should try harder to leave no Trace, but.....
Trail conditions were good, rocky n rough but passable, well till ya hit a big rock anyways. There were a few small muddy places, probably left over from last weekend when it snowed and rained out in this section otherwise dry. This section is fairly rocky in places with the Poisin Creek Drainage having nice smooth basalt black rocks, the rest on the trail are rather jagged and gnarly. Support Vehicles with High Ground Clearacne will do for most but 4x4 to cross the Poisin Creek Drainage might be needed.

Flora and Fauna included 4 deer, numerous antelope, 2 bull snakes on the trail, scattered Indian Paintbrush, small blue wildflowers, cheat grass, sage brush, and a crested wheat grass the cattle eat. We saw Real Deal Cowboys rounding up the Cattle off on the ridge a mile or so away at one point.

Map up by the Murphy Hot Springs Airport showing the trail and surrounding area.

This is one of the Trail markers. I like seeing these along the trail and I like the design. Wonder who I gotta bribe to get one of the stickers?

Hope to be back out and finish this desert off here in the next couple weeks, so untill then....

HAPPY TRAILS!

ICT HIKING AND BIKING- THE DESERT SECTION

April 14th 2012-  Nevada border to end of Three Creek Road near Murphy Hot Springs Airport, approx 1.9miles one way. A little muddy but not bad. Nice walk to Nevada and then back.

Trail head down to Nevada from Murphy HotSprings Airport and the Three Creek Rd. Kind of hard to see but there are two white trail markers on each side of the Trail.


May 28th 2012- Bruneau Canyon overlook to Hammet & I-84, approx 26.6 miles one way. Rode my Mountain Bike thru this section in about 3.5 hours. Saw 4 antelope, 3 phesants and several lizards, well and some cows down in Browns Creek area.  The section from the Overlook to the end of the pavement of Hot Springs Road (about 5.5miles) was fairly good even though the roads are not all that apparent for the last couple miles. 3 gates to go thru here and they are marked but I would still recomend a GPS with the route in it as you get out to an old watering/ feeding location and the good road ends and several very old minor tracks take off and you might choose the wrong one if you didn't have a good sense of direction or a handy dandy GPS. The next section from end of pavement Hot Springs Road to Browns Creek Road that comes off of Hwy 78 about 6-7 miles from Hammet, about 12miles. About 4 miles along the rim after leaving Hot Springs Road/ Three Creek Road, fairly easy riding and well marked, easy to follow. The drop from the rim down into Browns creek was a nice downhill section on my bike, no pedaling required but you might grab some brakes a couple times, about 2.5-3miles. The rest of Browns creek was ok with part of the road being kind of rough from rain and cattle walking on it but still very passable. Couple of gates one of which had so many tumbleweeds against it I wondered if I was the first one thru in quite some time. The last section Browns Crk Rd & Hwy 78 on into Hammet and to the on-ramp at I-84, about 9.3 miles. This section is obviously paved and went by without incident.

I plan to finish off the desert here in the next couple weeks and will report as I get the sections done.