Here is a topo map of the area. We took (or most of us took) the "Secret Canyon Trail" on the southeast side of Pine Creek. On the way back we followed an unmarked trail on the northwest side of the creek. You will have to ask Bryce and Rob which trail they took!
The sign to the trailhead off of Old Highway 80
Getting ready to go.
The sign leading us into the Wilderness Area.
Mark crossing the creek.
Sunny fording.
The first of two frogs. As far as I can tell from a quick search on the Internet this is a Pacific Treefrog, Pseudacris regilla . If anybody knows otherwise, please let me know!
Pine Creek through the trees.
On the trail.
Tyler Schemper moving trail obstructions.
This is Interstate 8 400 feet above the Valley Floor. Apparently this is the highest bridge in the Interstate Highway System.
Looking south down the valley.
After crossing under the bridge we continued on the trail in search of a campsite. Since the trail was moving away from the creek and wouldn't cross it again for another couple of miles we knew the "turn-around spot" on the map was our last chance before turning back to some sites we saw earlier.
Brannan and Mark went down to see if the patches of grass we saw were suitable for a campsite. We knew it would be difficult bringing everything down (and back up) this slope, but we had to look. The sites weren't suitable, so we climbed back up and turned back the other way.
We ended up camping just inside the wilderness boundary almost underneath the forementioned bridge. A nice site except for the occasional noise of the freeway. Overall, however, the sound of the creek masked most of the noise.
Here we are smoothing down some little mounds to get the site ready for the tents.
Pine Creek
Setting up a tent.
Brannan hiked up to one of the supports of the bridge and took this photo.
Brannon and Kate down by the water.
Cooking part of our dinner - chicken breasts marinated in Italian Dressing.
Mark and Bryce in the "kitchen".
That night it got pretty cold. The forecast was for 28 degrees and I don't know if it got that cold because we didn't see any ice in our water bottles.
Click here to go to day two.