Shady Pass, Devils Backbone, North Fork, Twenty Five Mile Creek...?

[MichaelJ]

Just curious if any of you know the high country around these areas very well?  I'm thinking of heading in there for a scouting trip and any info on water sources or good trail heads to look for would be great!  Looking at my maps gives me a decent idea of where the trails are, and what roads "should" be good, but whats the country like and what type of terrain should I concentrate on?  Hit me up with a PM or Email at MichaelJohnson_07@msn.com if you got any ideas... thinking of hunting that area for the archery opener!

Michael

[boneaddict]

I flown over it a couple times in a helicopter fighting fire.  I can tell you it looks gorgeous.

[Ray]

I've been down the Devil's Backbone and all the way down Pot Peak on a mountain bike. It gets hot over there in the summer. You may want to hike early in the morning or later in the day. Other than that never went critter crawlin there but it sure is nice.

[WACATHUNTER]

Bone where did you work fighting fire in a helicopter?

[boneaddict]

Most of the time up in the Pasayten.  Basically all over the PNW, but again, most of it was hard access in the Pasayten.  In some of the local big fires, Wenatchee area, etc, and Oregon, I was mostly a faller or line grunt in the sage. 

[Fletch]

I spent a good part of my youth in that area but never went more than a mile or so off the road...its big steep country and good grouse hunting...shot a few bucks in there too. but concentrated more on the lake side than the back side which I believe is steeper and more rugged...probably best during the migration

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm home for tonight but am taking a trip in there this saturday night and spending all day sunday in there to get the lay of the land, then taking a trip the 24th-26th of this month for some serious glassing.  I can tell you that I've talked with Beau Patterson about the area, aswell as a good friend that has hunted that area extensively, aswell as people I work with and I'm getting a ton of good feedback and tips on where to possibly find a new honey hole... don't worry I'll snap pictures when I go and let you know how it goes!

Michael

[Shank]

Last time I was up in that area was about 10 years ago on my bike, didn't spend alot of time looking around.  If memory serves right, didn't that area get hit by the fires in '94 or '95?  Should be pretty green by now.  It might still be under a seasonal closure right now, but later in the year Aug thru early Oct there may be ORV traffic on some of the trails.  Not that it's a big deal, just use the trails for access then get off them and break brush, then again I have had quite a few near misses with some nice bucks on the trail.  By the way you said your working for Icicle outfitters?  Are you guys up in the Mad Lake area this year?  Also were ya'all the ones hired to clear the trails in the area?

[MichaelJ]

Shank,
I do work for Iccicle and right now I'm just working at the stables in Lake Wenatchee State Park, not sure if we're heading up Mad Lake this year but most likely would be my guess... as for clearing the trails, the forest service does some, but we pack saws with us on our pack trips aswell...

I just found a sleeping bag I'm purchasing aswell... the Backside Lite Down bag here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160107448280&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:middle:us

I've heard good things about them and thats by far the cheapest I've found them at... Not I just got to get a spotting scope and a tent... I'm thinking about the Vortext Impact (I don't need a great spotter, I put more value on my binos, and you cant beat the warranty).  Also looking at a tarptent or....?

Anybody care to predict the kind of night time temps I should see in this area from Sept 1-10? Thanks Y'all...

Michael

[MichaelJ]

Anybody know anything about Pinnacle Mtn or Crow Hill or Big hill area?  Also, when do the mosquitos quit buzzing up there?  They were really bad today on a day hike...  sorry guys no pics, couldn't find my camera last night!

Michael

[Ridgerunner]

They'll quit buzzing when the snow flies, a lot fewer of them after a few good frosts, lol.   

[MichaelJ]

Well then my 3 day scouting trip aint going to be no fun atall!  We came out early today just because of the mosquitos...  Looks like some preventative measures are in order!

Michael