We arrived at Taylor Ranch today, or tonight rather, after hiking 35 miles down Big Creek. The whole journey took three days: three fairly easy, wonderful days of hiking through a season we thought we had left behind. Back at the Lookout, a line of storms left the mountain crowned in snow, and us dreaming of lower ground.
The process of moving off the mountain was no easy task. We had been situated up there weeks ago with the help of a pack string. They came up to haul down all the gear from the fire lookout who had been stationed at Sheepeater for the summer season. The mules brought us a few very heavy tubs of food and gear which we had packed back in McCall, to get us through the month or so that we intended to stay at the lookout. As it turned out, we didn't stay our full month, and therefore had a few more leftovers than intended.
Pulling off the mountain involved several heavily laden trips with backpacks crammed to the gills, odd boxes and tubs lashed to the outsides. Isaac took the brunt of the loads, even taking an extra trip in order to help me save my already sore feet. We were ferrying the gear to Chamberlain, which meant a 26 mile round trip and a few thousand feet of elevation.
Needless to say, we were very happy to finally have all our gear stacked in the "warehouse" at Chamberlain, awaiting a plane to take it to Taylor Ranch. On the 21st of October, we too were awaiting that plane, which would take us to Big Creek where we where meeting up with Shane, our friend and mentor for the project, who was coming out to hike with us down the river to Taylor Ranch, do some brainstorming, and help with filming.
Everything went nearly as planned (amazing in itself...) and the next day the three of us were hiking down the trail along Big Creek, which was in various stages of donning its fall wardrobe. It was a real treat to see cottonwoods and aspens, red-osier dogwoods and vine maples all congregated along the river corridor, decorating our trail with splashes of color and the smell and feel of fall. The weather cooperated, and remained cool but not cold, sprinkling us only a couple times with hints of rain. It was refreshing to be walking new trails, and we got to see some beautiful places along the way: the sweeping bend of Coxey Hole, with its rocky pillars and a deep pool in the elbow of the river the color of jade, suggesting a wonderful summer swimming spot, and the awe-inspiring cave at the mouth of the aptly named Cave Creek.
After dark on the third day of hiking, we arrived at Taylor Ranch, crossing their bridge over Big Creek to enter the 65 acre oasis tucked into the bottom of the steep-sided canyon. Taylor Ranch is a field research station for the University of Idaho, and along with resident scientists (and our friends) Jim and Holly Akenson, they have allowed us to call the place our winter base. Its location is perfect, being smack in the middle of winter range for a whole variety of wildlife, and we look forwards to an active winter season.
