Barnhardt & Brodie Seep Loop

[Shawn]

Barnhardt is always a great trip, we added a loop past Brodie Seep to make it a bit more interesting today. There was much discussion as to the distance, but TOPO can only offer an estimate because the trail from the Barnhadt-Divide junction southwest to the Brodie Seep-Divide junction is not on the topo maps. So substituting a likely contour line, it offers a few close estimates. TH to Divide-5.34, probably consistent with the FS sign showing 6 miles, knowing that TOPO reads low on trails with lots of tight switchbacks and curves. The loop from the Barnhadt-Divide junction thru Chilson camp past Brodie Spring to Divide Trail to Barnhadt-Divide junction reads 4.38, again probably a bit low given the switch backs. I'm going to say 15.5, anyone with a GPS track on this is welcome to correct that. Gain (gross) is over 3,400 ft.

It was a wonderful day, the hills are green yet, some water in the drainages, the waterfall was running although not gushing, and the temps and breezes were accommodating.

We had lunch at Chilson camp, took a few pictures, rested briefly, and decided to add the Brodie Seep loop. Nice views to the west from the Divide trail, then back down Barnhardt.

We encountered a mountain biker at the falls coming down, took a minute to grasp what was wrong with that picture-no bikes allowed in a Wilderness!

We went to Rye for dinner. The consensus of the group was thumbs up, it was a great top off for a great day. The Rye burger, super size, hit the spot, but as I've said here before, the spot is an easy target after a hike. Check it out.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

[SUN_HIKER]

Hope you guys pointed it out to that Mountain Biker that he was there illigally!?

I'll keep Rye in mind for the next time I'm in that area (Wed), sounds great.

GB
_________________
SUN_HIKER
http://community.webshots.com/user/sun_hiker
Nobody can make you feel inferior
without your permission.
-Eleanor Roosevelt-

[mike]

[SUN_HIKER]

Mike, I believe its lack of respect. Surely they read the signs as the rest of us do. I just about stopped hiking SM for that reasons. Can't tell you how many times I came close to being run over by Bikers whipping around boulders. Then they expect the hiker to jump to the side (which I always do in order to stay unharmed). It's this "I do what I want" generation (now I'm sounding like an old fart - no comment Tom! )

The other problem - not enough Rangers nor enough people speaking up. I think just rolling over and giving in only reinforces that they can do as they want.
GB
_________________
SUN_HIKER
http://community.webshots.com/user/sun_hiker
Nobody can make you feel inferior
without your permission.
-Eleanor Roosevelt-

[Leva]

I used to own and ride a small horse who was known at the stable where I boarded as the "900 pound pit bull" ... she had an unusual streak of aggression for a horse.

We were minding our own business in one of the mountain parks when a bike rider whipped past us and yelled, "F____ horses!"

That mare lunged after the guy on the bike and the only reason she didn't take a chunk out of his back was I knew her well enough to yank her head aside as soon as she started to move. As it was, I'm sure he heard her teeth click together.

Leva

[Tom Treks]

I would have let her go and just shrugged my shoulders.

[CatValet]

It is justifiable to shoot a biker in the wilderness area, eh? Maybe its time for the old fat man to start packing heat again.....

PS- Sean, any water coming out of the pipe in the wooden box at Chilson. When we were in the Mazzys three weeks ago, we pumped at Bear, saw some at Fisher, Windsor was really skanky, orange and green sludge. THe Payson Ranger told us Chilson had flat quit a couple years back.

We walked DOWN Barnhardt. First time I've ever done that. Everytime before I've gone down Shake Tree. Barnhardt gets little am direct sunlight which must help it stay green. -R