2013 Cache Creek Backpacking

Enough of this car camping already!  It's time to strap everything on our backs and head off into the wilderness!

And that's exactly what we did!

The troop tackled the Cache Creek Wilderness in Lake County and explored the Redbud Trail.

First though, the group had to stop overnight at Clearlake State Park.  The troop took off from Santa Rosa and crossed the Mayacamas Mountains skirting the slope of Mt. St. Helena (which we will visit next winter).  After a quick stop in Lower Lake, the troop made it to the State Park and set up camp.  Clear Lake Sate Park is a lovely spot that we will have to come back some time and explore more thoroughly.  It has several group campsites, lots of family campsites, cabins and a swimming beach!

The next morning the boys packed up and headed for the wilderness.  Just a short trip outside Clearlake Oaks on Highway 20, the troop pulled off at the Redbud Trailhead and strapped their packs on and took off up the trail.  Several hours and miles later, they arrived at Baton Flat beside one of the forks of Cache Creek.  The trail continues for another 4 miles to Wilson Valley, but the creek was running high and was impassable.  So, everyone stopped for the night and made camp.

This was true back country camping.  There were no pit toilets or bear boxes, so the troop set up their latrine and bear bag station.

They also set about pumping enough water to get by and this proved to be a problem.  One of the three pumps the troop brought was broken.  Then there was so much sediment in the water, that the other two pumps started packing up and barely worked by the time the troop left!  The group walked out with only a half of a water bottle apiece, but it was enough.

Meanwhile, the troop explored the valley, played with the lizards, and prepared their freeze dried foods.

It was truly remote!  The whole day we only saw a handful of other living beings and certainly no one from the afternoon on.  Only a whisper of traffic noise from over the ridge let you know that there was anyone within a hundred miles of you.

In the morning, the troop reversed it's course, headed back up the trail and back to civilization.  We will have to come back in the fall when the creek is low and take the trail all the way to Wilson Valley.

Participants: Brian, Andreas, Bryce, Gerrit, Owen, James, Angelo

Leaders: Mr. Bell, Mr. Polkinghorn, Mr. Valdelomar

Lessons Learned:  Clear Lake SP is a beautiful park!  We have to come back.  The creek is high in Spring.  We will have to come back in Fall and do the whole trail.  Make sure to check the maintenance on the water filters and bring a bucket and cheese cloth to siphon from.