Wild Trails & Tall Tales

- by Roland Cheek

 

WHAT'S NEEDED MOST FOR OUTDOORS ADVENTURE

A long horseback packtrip into wilderness country takes a certain modicum of talents. Map reading skills are essential, as is the ability to maintain a minimal talent for pointing toward north. As for horse handling skills, one should be able to saddle a pony, throw a pack and lead a packstring along a steep mountain trail. But of all those skills necessary for successful adventure, none is more important than the skill to choose a proper campsite.

There are many desirable attributes to consider in choosing your camping spot: accessibility, a nice view, and protection from the elements. They're nice. But a few things are absolutely essential.

Obviously adequate water someplace near is one. If you're cooking over a campfire, so is a source of suitable wood. Proper forage for your horses is important, too. And during bug time, choosing a site where a breeze sweeps through camp can be vital.

On the other hand, if it's not bug season but blizzard season, pitching a tent where it'll be buffered against gales might be most prudent -- a windbreak of aspens or doghair lodgepoles along the lee side of a bluff or cutbank.

How does one find such sites?

Begin by studying maps -- particularly contour maps where forests are delineated in green (U.S.G.S.). Though your map might show the trail you're following will soon brush against a stream, if the contour lines are many and close, that'll tell you the terrain is steep and unlikely to harbor a suitable place to pitch camp.

Often a bench above a stream or lake provides a dandy windswept campsite with adequate wood for your fire and grass for your horses; the catch-22 is it may require carrying water. So what? I carry canvas packbags that fit over a riding saddle, and four five-gallon plastic water jugs can fit in those bags. In one whack, I can carry enough water to do our camp for a couple of days.

When bugs are bad, gravel bars along streams offer windswept camping areas. Gravel bars also have another advantage -- they seldom provide evidence you've been there after you're gone.

Be careful about fire on a gravel bar, however. As surprising as it may sound, those colorful water-washed rocks are likely to have moisture in them; they've been known to explode when exposed to intense heat. Instead, sprinkle sand where you plan to build a fire.

Special care should be taken with your horses while you're camped on a graveled stream bend. Adequate graze should be located away from the river bottom and your hitchlines should be strung well away from your camp, preferably in a copse of trees.

Good campsites are best identified on the ground. You'll know a great one the moment you see it. Be careful about passing those good sites by -- no matter how early in the day -- unless you're sure there's another better one beyond the next trail bend.

Remember, the greatest boon to a quality outdoor adventure is in your ability to pick really good campsites. It's a talent that can be easily overlooked by others. But you know you've got it . . . and so do all of your companions.

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