Note – This trip was in June 11-13, 2022, but I am falling behind on my blog..
A long time ago our whole family floated Beaver Creek, and hiked out the Summit Trail. Lizzy (daughter), Nancy (wife) both decided after that trip packrafting was “dumb”. A few years later Molly (other daughter) gave it another chance and had a blast. With a weekend (plus a day) free, Molly and I decided to do it again, floating Beaver Creek in packrafts and meeting up with Nancy and Lizzy half way out on the Summit Trail. This time we were joined by Ruby the loaner dog, who we were taking care of while her owner was off on the north slope. Our dogs Shiloh and Eddy are terrified of water, and are in no way packrafting dogs. It was a great float, the float was fantastic, the weather warm… just about perfect, though the water was a bit slower than ideal..
Hot lunch – luxury!
We stopped briefly to check out an old cabin on the USGS topo maps, and found it – yay I love rusty old stuff!
We spent the evening in Borealis Cabin, enjoying the clean (yay!!) and warm cabin as the temps dropped to near freezing overnight. Ruby enjoyed snuggling with me and found the cabin full of exciting smells.
In the morning we crossed the creek and started hiking after watching some beavers busily doing beaver things.
Ruby waiting for a ride across the creek..
Shuttling across the creek
Wading Wick Creek..
Busy banks!
We then hiked to the trail shelter, roughly 12 miles from the river. The trail was mostly great once off the winter trail (tussocky!), with marvelous colors and great views.
Under…
“I can make it!” – Molly
Eventually we made it to the trail shelter where we caught up with Lizzy and Nancy and spent the evening enjoying snacks, books, and games.
In the morning we headed out and hiked the rest of the way out..
Lizzy, well bug proofed
Pollen-licous!
Shiloh the dog is not excited about this hiking stuff.. 🙂
Lunch!
BLM had installed new boardwalk on the really muddy section, and it was a fantastic addition – thanks BLM!
The family dropped me off at Cleary Summit, and I biked to Nome Creek to fetch the car. The ride was great, but I didn’t bring enough food and bonked a bit.
We are so lucky to have the Whites and Beaver Creek so accessible to us. It is amazing to go on a three day trip and to have the place completely to ourselves. Yay! Thanks again BLM for such a wonderful area! And of course thanks to Molly, Lizzy, Nancy, Ruby, Eddy, and Shiloh for the company. And Sinbad the cat for watching the house while we were away 🙂
Tags: beaver creek, borealis, family, packrafting, summit trail, white mountains