A hike to the upper falls, so we thought. This trail head started at 8,900 feet in altitude and ended at 11,200, just a short 1.4 miles to the falls. A steady semi steep climb to what looked to be filled with some fantastic views. We are flat-landers where we live so we were going to give ourselves 3.5 hours up and 3.5 hours back to the trail head. We were well stocked with supplies, food, water, O2 canisters along with many other things.
Off we go slowly up and up the trail until we came to a marker where the trail split. A tree had fallen and damaged the marker so we had to guess as to which direction to take, right or left. Off we go to the right and after about 30 minutes we came across a gentleman about our age, 66, that had taken a nasty fall. He was sitting on the side of the trail looking completely bewildered and dazed. He had not broken any bones but was skinned up on his knees and arms. He was from Hawaii he said and admitted he knew very little about hiking. As we were aiding his wounds he told us he could not see to go on, because he had lost his glasses in the fall, and also was dying for some water because his back-pack water bladder had ceased to function. We gave him some of our water while I searched for his glasses, if you hike and wear glasses take an extra pair. Sure enough I found both lens and the frame in three pieces, they were broken alright.
I learned years ago from the Boy Scouts and Marine Corps if you are going to get out of sight of your ride and be in the woods, you need to take things with you. 44 Revolver and a speed loader, knife, fire starter, space blanket, first aid kit, small flash light, para-cord and last but not least some ¼ inch duct tape strips.
After about 30 minutes or so we had his glasses taped up and working, he had cut his supply tube on his water bladder, more duct tape and it was in working order. By that time another hiker on the way down offered to escort him back to the trail head. And oh by the way how did you like the falls…..well, we had taken the wrong trail, the one we were now on was off to the gold mine. Back track to where the trail had split and off again in the right direction. By this time we were above 10,000 feet and hitting those O2 canisters about every hundred yards or so and resting about 5 minutes. All of a sudden we heard something behind us, two hikers coming up on us fast. We, or I should say they stopped to chat for a while. Come to find out they live in the high country and hike weekly, he was 79 and she 76. Well as they proceeded up the trail in a fast pace we got inspired to move ahead and find the falls. After an hour or so we again came to a split in the trail and took the left one this time. Yep, you guessed it, after a good little while a hiker coming down advised we were again on the wrong trial, we should have turned right. So back down the trial to give it another go…..by this time we had spent 4 hours on this mission and thought best that we turned back to insure we made the trailhead before dark as it was 2:00pm. I am sure the upper falls are beautiful and we plan to have a better map and an updated GPS next year and give this another go. It was indeed a beautiful day to be lost in the mountains with all the sights.
Off we go slowly up and up the trail until we came to a marker where the trail split. A tree had fallen and damaged the marker so we had to guess as to which direction to take, right or left. Off we go to the right and after about 30 minutes we came across a gentleman about our age, 66, that had taken a nasty fall. He was sitting on the side of the trail looking completely bewildered and dazed. He had not broken any bones but was skinned up on his knees and arms. He was from Hawaii he said and admitted he knew very little about hiking. As we were aiding his wounds he told us he could not see to go on, because he had lost his glasses in the fall, and also was dying for some water because his back-pack water bladder had ceased to function. We gave him some of our water while I searched for his glasses, if you hike and wear glasses take an extra pair. Sure enough I found both lens and the frame in three pieces, they were broken alright.
I learned years ago from the Boy Scouts and Marine Corps if you are going to get out of sight of your ride and be in the woods, you need to take things with you. 44 Revolver and a speed loader, knife, fire starter, space blanket, first aid kit, small flash light, para-cord and last but not least some ¼ inch duct tape strips.
After about 30 minutes or so we had his glasses taped up and working, he had cut his supply tube on his water bladder, more duct tape and it was in working order. By that time another hiker on the way down offered to escort him back to the trail head. And oh by the way how did you like the falls…..well, we had taken the wrong trail, the one we were now on was off to the gold mine. Back track to where the trail had split and off again in the right direction. By this time we were above 10,000 feet and hitting those O2 canisters about every hundred yards or so and resting about 5 minutes. All of a sudden we heard something behind us, two hikers coming up on us fast. We, or I should say they stopped to chat for a while. Come to find out they live in the high country and hike weekly, he was 79 and she 76. Well as they proceeded up the trail in a fast pace we got inspired to move ahead and find the falls. After an hour or so we again came to a split in the trail and took the left one this time. Yep, you guessed it, after a good little while a hiker coming down advised we were again on the wrong trial, we should have turned right. So back down the trial to give it another go…..by this time we had spent 4 hours on this mission and thought best that we turned back to insure we made the trailhead before dark as it was 2:00pm. I am sure the upper falls are beautiful and we plan to have a better map and an updated GPS next year and give this another go. It was indeed a beautiful day to be lost in the mountains with all the sights.
