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Late report: Chickenfoot with my Grandson.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:46 am
by gary c.
I've been neglectful in posting trip reports here also. This is one from the first week in July that I posted on another site. It was the first backpacking trip with just me and my grandson. It turned out to be very special for both of us.

I had planned on going to 20 Lakes Basin for my first backpacking trip with just my youngest grandson and myself but that didn't work out. We stopped in Lone Pine and P/U a permit and headed for Mosquito Flats. David was so excited as we loaded our packs on our backs it was starting to rub off on me also. I warned him that he was going to get hot and tired and probably regret the hike by the time we got to Chickenfoot but to trust me it would be worth it. I was right, by the time we got there he said that this was stupid and no one could enjoy anything that involved backpacking.

Mandatory shot just a little before Long Lake.
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Since David was so tired we just did a short walk along the shore near camp then ate and called it a night.

From our camp site above Chickenfoot Lake
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Chickenfoot Lake
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When I got layed off from my job in April I decided that after working for the company for 14yrs I would use the severance pay to take the summer off and enjoy life a little before trying to go back to work. As many of you might guess my wife is less than enthusiastic but understanding and thus "The Summer of Gary" began. You may see the shirt in a few more reports before the summer is over. It was a gift from a friend. The wife didn't allow a JMT thru hike like I had hoped for but so far I've been on 3 backpacking trips and 2 car camping trips.
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Wednesday we got up late and I fished a little for a few small Rainbows while David goofed around. After fishing we decided to hike up to Gem Lakes.
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That evening after the sun dropped below the mountain and the lake looked like glass the evening rise got started. The entire lake looked liked a boiling pot of water with all of the fish rising. I didn't even bring David's spinning rod down to the water, we shared my fly rod. With a lot of help from Opa David landed his first three trout on a fly rod, all Brookies. I managed several on my own but for some reason most of mine were Rainbows.

David's first fish on a fly rod. His older Brother caught his first fish on a fly rod at Long Lake in 2007.
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One of mine.
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Box Lake
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Thursday morning I was woke up by something snooping around in my backpack. I unzipped the tent and looked out to find a bear with his head stuck in my pack up to his ears. I yelled at him to get away a few times and he could have cared less, he just looked up and stared at me. He was about 8-10ft in front of my tent. He started to look in my pack some more so I P/U a water bottle and threw it at him. It hit him in the shoulder and he finally turned around and left, you couldn't even hear him walk away. He was a cinnamon colored bear about 250lbs.

I guess David finally came around to understanding why people work so hard backpacking and that it is worth all the effort. Wednesday night in the tent while we were going to sleep he asked me if even if it was a couple weeks early could we call this trip his birthday present because he was having such a good time.
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I just might have a new shadow following me around the high country in a couple years.
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Re: Late report: Chickenfoot with my Grandson.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:11 am
by Troutdog 59
Awesome TR! Little Lakes is a really pretty area and a great spot for an Opa/grandson hike! Love the shirt!

Re: Late report: Chickenfoot with my Grandson.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 9:55 am
by rlown
The Summer of Gary!!!! Sweet!

I've been layed off twice in my career. The first time after 25 years of service, I went backpacking in Trinity for 10 days; left on the day of notification in fact right after getting off the phone with my manager. I was recently killed again, but landed at the same company within 2 weeks. whew!

Your strategy on your summer is a good one (my wife was a little less than thrilled as well)!

The smile on your grandson's face in the pics says it all! A great TR.

Thanks for posting,

Russ

Re: Late report: Chickenfoot with my Grandson.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:06 pm
by Cross Country
I had a rare son (Mike) who loved BP from the start including the first day with a pack. Our first trip was to Forks of the Kern in Sep. and Mike went without a pack. I had to keep telling him to wait for me. The following summer our first trip (and MIke with pack) was one of my worst because it snowed a lot at Laurel Lake. On the hike out Mike said to me "wouldn't it be great if we could live out here" Did I know he was hooked or what?

Re: Late report: Chickenfoot with my Grandson.

Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 1:07 pm
by Cross Country
I was 45 and Mike was 6.

Re: Late report: Chickenfoot with my Grandson.

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 5:49 am
by jessegooddog
I was just up there and had forgotten how green it is in the summer! How did your grandson feel about the bear? I wonder why he was in your pack? I always sleep with mine inside the tent, and have been extra careful with food, triple bagging my lunch or any food not in the bear canister while I am hiking. Perhaps this bear had found food in other packs? Really great that your grandson ended up enjoying the trip!

Re: Late report: Chickenfoot with my Grandson.

Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2014 11:40 am
by gary c.
My grandson was pretty excited about the bear, he couldn't wait to tell everyone the story. Not sure why he was into my pack but it was empty and all the zippers were open. Considering the bear problem in RC Canyon and all the newbies that go there for a first hike I'm sure the bears have many opportunities. My pack shovel and TP in a Ziploc were sitting on the ground right next to my pack. The bear took one bite through the plastic (looked like a bite out of an apple) and left it alone. David said the bear might have thought it was a giant marshmallow.