AHG Course May 25- June 2, 2023

We completed a hike from Wasootch Ridge to Porcupine S. creek over Porcupine Ridge on the last 3 days of our course. Groups went in both directions.

Terrain/ Trail Conditions
Both forks of Porcupine creek had low water levels. Most of the length of both creeks were dry and well below seasonal water levels.
There was water in places but it was lost at 1400m elevation and reappeared at about 1600m. Water was mostly found where the drainages were constricted. Creek crossings were easily managed. We explored a canyon towards Boundary ridge. This canyon also had low water and trickier steps, larger boulders and overhead hazard. This route had mostly steep, rocky and difficult off trail travel up to Porcupine Ridge, with the ridge trail being well established. The Wasootch ridge trail is well established, was dry and has steep rocky sections. No snow was encountered along the route except for a small patch on Porcupine ridge and some patches in the Canyon towards Boundary ridge.

Weather
Overall weather was hot and dry. There were some occasional thunder/ lightning strikes in the distance. We had light showers early morning till midday on our last day June 1st. Conditions were really dry in the forests so rain was needed.

Notables
We spotted minimal wildlife along the way but lots of signs of deer and sheep, and we found a part of an older animal kill along the route.
No other homo sapiens spotted along the creek routes.

Instructors
Olivia Sofer HG, SG
Erika Flavelle HG, SG
Glenn Reisenhofer HG
Peter Amann MG