West Rim Trail - TR

“This hike is also in JMITCH's Book, although for extra info I used Chuck Dillon's Guide to the West Rim Trail..

Spent Saturday and Sunday Hiking the Northern 22 miles of the West Rim Trail. Original plan was too do the whole thing, but based on weather reports calling for severe weather on Friday, I shortened the trip..

I used Pine Creek Outfitters as a shuttle. En route to trail we spotted a bear.. I was told that there is major bear activity in that area right now... Shuttle took longer then expected due to getting behind trucks heading to a fracing site..

Got dropped off at the Gundigut trail and hiked the .4 miles to the WRT. Turning north on the trail I immediately encountered blow downs... At one pont it looked like a weak tornado had ripped through... All of the trees were blown down and lieing in the same direction... It was very slow going due to all of the blow downs.

Two miles in I came to the first campsite/view... It was spectacular, HOWEVER if you are doing this trail and are heading North Bound, go approximately .25 miles further.. The vies from teh campsite is even better...

Stopped for Lunch at the Bradley Wales Picnic Center.. There is a hand pump there, but the water was slightly brown in color.. Just North of the Picnic Center are 2 or 3 more great camp sites at vistas..

9 miles into the hike I ran into the first hikers.. We exchanged info, and I was told that several hikers north of me had already staked out campsites... I went another mile and came upon an open campsite with a view... I set up camp... As I was sitting there I heard a rustling... It was a guest... a porcupine... Only the second one I've ever seen on the trail.. I built a small smokey fire to keep the bugs away, and ate dinner...

At night 3 bard owls were in the area.. what a noise!!!

Woke up sunday, and hiked the 12 remaining miles... Saw a few more hikers and many day hikers at the vistas.... What a beautiful area...

Looking forward to going back and hiking the whole thing...”

“Cool TR, thanks.

Doug”

“Thanks for sharing!”

“Very cool. Thanks for posting :)

The only time I have ever seen a porcupine in the wild was while I was skiing. I was surprised at how big they are.”

“I hiked that trail some years back, very nice walk. I liked the area so much I have returned several times to hike. I have also canoed the pine creek with my wife..

haha that was fun, I was paddling towards the rapids and she was paddling away so we were going down stream sideways”