The Daily Feed: Are you GPS savvy? Traversing the Big Hole Mountains for the first time... // womenspecific.com

My friend Amy and I gave in to her husband’s plan of completing the Big Hole Crest Trail on bike and on foot in opposite directions. The Big Hole Mountains are the northern part of the Snake River Range. They are separated from the Snake River Range by Idaho Highway 31 which leads from Swan Valley, ID up Pine Creek Canyon and over Pine Creek Pass into the Teton Basin and the town of Victor ID. The Western boundary of the Big Hole Mountains and part of the roadless area boundary is the scenic, free-flowing Snake River in a basalt and limestone canyon downstream from Conant Valley. The Big Holes are about 1,000 feet lower than the Snake River Range and not quite as spectacular. There are many trails although upkeep on quite a few is spotty at best. Using his many computer programs, maps, and GPS systems, Forrest calculated the traverse to be about 26 miles. The trail is heavily used in sections but rarely ventured from start to finish. This is mostly due to the fact that the two trailheads are about (2) hours drive apart. From any of the connecting canyons and creeks many loop trips take you back to your car. In sections the trail is faint; some sections even fade out for many steps.

Amy and I were took one car to Pine Creek Pass trail head. Forrest and his biking partner drove off to the farther trailhead north of Victor, ID. We were well equipped with maps highlighting several GPS points, food, extra clothes, a GPS, and lots of water. Water was scarce this time of year and since we were traveling up high, we figured any spring would most likely be dried up. Starting at the chill of the morning, we wore tights and long sleeves. The temperature was about 32F, frosty, and clear. LaraBars, Almond M&Ms, Nuun water tablets, iodine, Clif Bloks, reisons, peanut butter/chocolate malt balls, trail mix (mixed nuts-dates-raisins-chocolate chips), fritos scoops, elk jerky, Gu, etc. were going to last us the trip. Wister the dog was with us and full of energy. He would also serve as a backup GPS system.

The trail was very evident to start with actual signage about 3 miles in clearly pointing us to the east, bypassing Red Mountain. Amy and I slowly eliminated layers and had to regroup our packs as we filled them with clothing. The day went on with several small route finding missions. Surprisingly, the GPS saved us some extra miles when direction was unclear. Amy, who usually leaves it up to hubby Forrest to be GPS guy, took the reigns and pulled us through the first half.

Coming around a corner nearing our highest point, I hopped over a small spring and stopped. Water! This was a treat for us, Wister got to jump and drink in the small water pools, and we drank and filled what we could. At about 10 miles, we met up with the bikers, took pictures, and told stories of the trail. Forrest, having had his GPS on the entire time, accurately calculated the mileage they had traveled. Amy and I now knew we had 14 miles ahead and it was supposedly straight forward. One area we came upon was deeply forested and the trail faded out. Feeling claustrophobic, we went back to the ridge we had dropped off and turned on the GPS, sure enough, we were right on track. After a quick water break we busted through the forest and came back out on the ridge as it climbed back up and to the towers that were on our map. The wind whipped through our thin layers so we stopped briefly and put on some warmth. From here, it would be clear and easy; we could see all the perfect squares and plots of land for farming, a few roads, and the tetons distantly across the valley. It was gorgeous and absolutely no one on the trail. With the fall season upon us, we knew it would be a magnificent adventure, and if anything, we may come across a few hunters. As we descended on down to the valley, we crossed farms, pastures, and cattle herds. One particular threesome of cows actually chased us down a road, mooing as they ran. This was an animal I had no knowledge of how to react to than just RUN, Amy RUN faster! Arriving at the van, we put our feet in a small stream then gladly put on down coats and flip flops. Our final thoughts are, that we will do this traverse again next year and hopefully not need the GPS as much. However, we now both feel more confident in its accuracy. If you need any direction on hitting the Big Hole Crest Trail, feel free to email me, lauri@womenspecific.com or Amy tetonamy@gmail.com . We will be periodically updating you with our adventures. Happy Fall!

Recommended gear for this traverse: Garmin Etrex GPS system, bridgedale trail socks, Pistil Mod (earflap) hat, 180s gloves, Patagonia capilene zipneck hoody, Marmot pre-cip rain shell, Montrail Continental Divide Shoe, map, Nuun water tablets, Suncloud polarized sunglasses, Hot Chilly’s Salsa tank, New Balance running shorts, Ice Breaker strider tight, Lowe Alpine waist pack, Merino 30 SPF Sunscreen, REI Desert Gaiters, and Kiss my Face lip sunblock.

www.garmin.com GPS

www.bridgedale.com www.bridgedale.com Socks

www.pistildesigns.com www.pistildesigns.com Hats

www.180s.com Gloves (hats, tights, sunglasses)

www.patagonia.com layers

www.marmot.com rain layer

www.montrail.com shoes (running, climbing, hiking)

www.nuun.com electrolytes

www.suncloudoptics.com Polarized, “star” model

www.hotchillys.com next to skin wear

www.newbalance.com shorts and layers

www.icebreaker.com Strider Tights (soft wool)