Carson Iceberg Wilderness

Hike: Carson-Iceberg

Dates: 7/2/99-7/3/99
With whom: solo


[Previous Hike] [Hiking Index] [Next Hike]

[Day 2] [Day 3]

Day 1

Distance: miles roundtrip
Elevation:

I picked this hike for the July 4th weekend because I wanted to get away from the crowds and do my first solo hike and do some heavy introspection and enhance my inner peace. It was a big adventure just to get to this hike. I originally wanted to hike this from the south side by hiking in from the Disaster Creek Trailhead. However, the rangers told me that there trails above 8000' were still snowed in due to higher than average snowfall this past winter. So, I had to approach this hike from the north/east side of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. To hike there, the ranger also told me that I had to come to the station to pick up a fire permit (although I could self register for a camping permit at the trailhead. The ranger station was located in Carson City, NV. The directions they gave me to get there were to drive up to Sacramento, over and through Tahoe and then into Nevada.

I left San Francisco at about 7AM and didn't hit the trailhead until 1:30pm, a long day already. It was quite warm and I was anxious to hit the trail. When I got to the High Trail trailhead, there were 4 or 5 cars parked there. I checked the self-register permits and saw that there was a couple from SF who was taking the same itinerary I was taking.

Wolf Creek This hike started at 6400' of elevation or so and my destination for that day was near Carson Falls, 9+ miles away. The temperature was well into the 80s and my pack was fairly heavy. Since this was my first solo backpacking trip, there was no else to share the load. I also brought along a bear container since there were supposed to be bears here. Early on the trail, I was supposed to hit a branch that would allow me to take the High Trail (up to 8000'), but apparently, I missed it because I eventually encountered Wolf Lake (left) and a trail branching to Gray's Crossing.

This meant that I was on the Carson River Trail. I was a bit annoyed at myself for having missed the branch to the High Trail, but I would get to where I wanted to go anyway so I let it go. As it turned out, it was actually better that I took this trail because it was much flatter than the High Trail and the heat and the late start were working against me.

Carson River Carson River This trail wasn't called the Carson River trail for nothing. The river looked very appealing, but it looked fairly full from all the snow melt. According to the map, I would have a couple river crossings to get to my destination. At about this point, I caught up to the San Francisco couple on the trail (they would be the only people I would see this day on the trail). As I approached them, I asked if they were the so and so's. They were very surprised and said yes. I explained how I knew their name and wanted to ask them about the trail and how they drove up. They had intended to take the High Trail as well and they also missed the branch in the trail early on. We compared notes about the trail, where we were, and what lay ahead. With regards to the drive, they told me that I could easily take Highway 4 back and save a couple hours driving and that the self registration included a fire permit for the duration of your visit. It was frustrating to hear, but it was another opportunity to achieve some inner peace.
my first (ever)

Day 2

Distance: miles roundtrip
Elevation:

my campsite in a meadow Falls Meadow
rock formation near Carson Falls Carson River near Carson Falls gnarled tree
Carson Falls? campsite in pine forest on evening of day 2

Go To Day 3

small artsy name logo

[Main Index] [Hiking Index]