Mike and I drove nearly 10 hours each way to meet up in beautiful Leslie Gulch with his sibs and their spouses (minus one spouse who wasn't able to join us). The weather could have been better but it could have been a lot worse - temps were below freezing at night (= no rattle snakes), some sunny/blue sky times, a little too much wind, a bit of rain, snow, and hail, and a gorgeous rainbow. Everything else - scenery, company, conversation, food, hikes, and our beloved little Sol - was stellar.
We spent 3 nights in the Slocum/Leslie Gulch camp ground and got in a hike each day plus daily jaunts to nearby Owyhee Reservoir.
The drive on the way in from Highway 95 south of Ontario - 25 miles on gravel - is slow but scenic and tops out at around 4800'.
Arrived!
The campground viewed from above
By the reservoir - red dog and red rocks.
Our first full day we hiked in Juniper Gulch.
Sagebrush buttercup
2 signs of a small bear, I think.
Riding the wave.
We took turns preparing shared breakfasts and dinners and packed our own lunches. As always with this group the food was fantastic.
I have a thing about rainbow rocks.
The next day we hiked in hail and snow and eventually under a bit of blue up the gorge from the campground.
Praying Mantis egg case, maybe?
Wooly mulane
A few Sol pictures - I think I love that trailer more than you're supposed to love things.
View from the bed
Good dog Maple rules the roost.
Last evening
Home made graham crackers with home made marshmallows and dark chocolate. Report: the marshmallows and crackers taste way better than those from the store. The marshmallows can be roasted but drip before they brown so you have to be quick. The crispy graham crackers become soft when you preheat them on the grate to melt the chocolate - next time I'll leave one cool for more structure.
The drive home
Pronghorn
So much left to see in this area - we'll be back. If you'd like to see the entire set of photos, you can click HERE.
HAPPY TRAILS!
