I’ve been to many areas of Big South Fork but this would be my first time to the Twin Arches area and I couldn’t wait to check it out. The weather forecast was stating that the temperature would be right at 60F and sunny so it would be a great weekend to get out and get rid of some of that cabin fever from being cooped up all winter.
Due to the condition of the roads that were still full of snow from the snow storm the previous weekend we decided to park our vehicle at the Sawmill Trailhead and begin our hike there. This was my first time to this area and it was very nice from what I could see.
As we headed down the trail I knew by the terrain that this would be a great hike. It was a really beautiful area that was still covered in snow and absolutely amazing.
We hiked approximately 8.5 miles on Saturday that would take us down the Mill Creek Valley to the confluence of creeks just prior to Jakes Place. Here we opted to head West toward Charit Creek Lodge and continue around the Twin Arch Loop and back to Jakes Place where we would set camp for the night.
It was an excellent hike and my first time visiting this entire area. Now I intend to go back and stay at the Charit Creek Lodge and get that experience. It was nearly entirely deserted except for a guy we met on horseback who told us he intended to camp somewhere in the vicinity. It was a really interesting place. Similar to MT. Leconte Lodge but at a much lower level and not quite as secluded. They have several options ranging from camping to lodging along with breakfast and dinner options. Here is a link to the Charit Creek Lodge Website.
After having a look at Charit Creek Lodge we headed up the hill to the Twin Arches and hiked in and around the arches. The trail, we later found out actually passes through/under one of the arches. Unfortunately we explored the area and ended up night hiking our way down 2 miles to Jakes Place where we made camp. We jumped something large that climbed up or down a tree ( know this by the sound claws on tree bark from past experience) I wasn’t able to spot what it was but I do know it was large. This was awesome!
I didn’t intend to night hike for several reasons this time. My nephew is still a somewhat inexperienced so I really didn’t want to have to rely on him or put him to work because I knew he’d be tired once we arrived at camp. Nor did I want him night hiking down a trail that I wasn’t extremely familiar with at this point. Another reason is because Jakes Place is in bottomland which is damp and made finding dry firewood nearly impossible in the dark and I really wanted a fire to take the chill off with us being in the middle of snow.
The biggest regret of this trip is hiking the part of the Twin Arches Loop in the dark that has magnificent high cliffs. I really want to do the trail in the daytime the next time. Even in the dark I could tell the cliffs we were skirting were incredible.
Overall – the hike was a total success and I intend to go back and hike the area in warmer weather because I’m certain this valley would be gorgeous with full foliage on the trees. And I have to revisit that part of the trail that we hiked in the dark so I can really appreciate the high cliffs.
Below are some sources for maps and references regarding the Big South Fork.
I have at least two of these maps and I take one on every trip to the Big South Fork.
I have referred to this book on more than one occasion as a reference guide.
Below is my gear list – This was a first for my Sea To Summit X-Pot 2.8L. I only used it to heat up my corned beef hash which it did without a hitch. I really like everything about this thing. It’s a bit pricey but in my opinion it’s so worth it. I wouldn’t take it on a long trip of any kind but it’s perfect for a trip where we’d pool our food because it’s big enough to heat/cook enough food for 5 or 6 people easily. In this case it was only 2 of us and it swallowed up that can of corned beef hash like it was nothing.
It’s not the lightest piece of gear but by no means not too heavy for a leisurely backpack trip and especially if you cook for two or more people then it really gets light.
It’s very easy to clean with the slick silicone walls and the anodized aluminum and there are no burn marks on the bottom of it at all. This thing is really nice so far! But I’ll be sure to give updates on my experience with it.
| FOOTWEAR/BACKPACKS/CONTENTS | WEIGHT OUNCES |
| SHOES/BOOTS NOT INCLUDED IN PACK WEIGHT | |
| VASQUE SCREE LOW SHOES | 36.00 |
| TREKKING POLES NOT INCLUDED IN PACK WEIGHT | |
| BLACK DIAMOND FL ULTRA DISTANCE TREKKING POLES – NOW FLZ | 16.00 |
| BACKPACKS | |
| MOUNTAINSMITH LOOKOUT 45 BACKPACK | 66.00 |
| PACK COVER | |
Equinox Stingray Ultralite Internal Pack Cover |
4.10 |
| QUILTS | |
| ENLIGHTENED EQUIPMENT REVELATION PRO 20 DEGREE QUILT W/STUFF SACK | 29.00 |
| SLEEPING PADS | |
| THERMAREST RIDGEREST SOLITE REGULAR CUT DOWN TO 20X60 | 12.00 |
| THERMAREST NEOAIR TREKKER LARGE | 26.00 |
| TARPS | |
| BEARPAW DESIGNS 70D SILNYLON GROUND TARP | 8.00 |
| ENO HOUSEFLY | 25.00 |
| FOOD | |
| 1 NIGHT 2 PEOPLE FOOD – ZPACKS CUBEN FIBER BAG | 82.00 |
| BASICS | |
| BEAR BAG KIT-CORDAGE/BLACK DIAMOND NEUTRINO CARABINER | 4.50 |
| CORDAGE AND STAKE KIT | 13.50 |
| MINI COMPASS AND TEMP GAUGE | 0.70 |
| SAWYER FILTER MINI(2OZ), ONE SQUEEZE POUCH(1.5OZ), SCOOP CUP(2OZ) MESH BAG | 5.50 |
SAFETY LANYARD – Gerber Bear Grylls Compact Scout Knife, Drop Point [31-000760] /ADVENTURE MEDICAL RESCUE HOWLER/Streamlight 73001 Nano Light Miniature Keychain LED Flashlight, Black  |
2.80 |
| TOILETRY KIT – MEDICINE/TOOTHBRUSH/TOOTHPASTE ETC IN OUTDOOR RESEARCH SMALL DRY DITTY SACK | 10.40 |
| FIRE KIT: DRYER LINT/LIGHTER/LIGHT MY FIRE FIRESTEEL | 2.80 |
| POTTY KIT – DEUCE OF SPADES, TOILET PAPER, HAND CLEANER BOTTLE/HOLDER IN NYLON SACK | 4.30 |
| CLOTHING | |
| MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR ORKO GLOVES | 1.50 |
| EDDIE BAUER RIPPAC RAIN COAT | 12.70 |
| WINTER CLOTHING BAG 1 NIGHT QUILT: SMARTWOOL MIDWEIGHT WOOL SOCKS/MIDWEIGHT WOOL THERMAL BOTTOMS IN REI PILLOW STUFF SACK | 24.60 |
| NIKE RAIN PANTS | 12.40 |
| EDDIE BAUER FIRST ASCENT IGNITER JACKET | 23.40 |
| VIVOBAREFOOT ULTRA SHOES | 6.00 |
| COOKING | |
TOAKS Titanium 600ml Pot /GATORADE CUP/OPTIMUS LONG FOLDING SPOON |
5.30 |
LIGHT MY FIRE SPORK |
0.85 |
| SEA TO SUMMIT XPOT 2.8 | 10.30 |
| WATER BOTTLES – BLADDERS | |
| SOBE BOTTLE EMPTY | 1.50 |
| LIGHTING | |
| BLACK DIAMOND STORM HEADLAMP IN HMG NANO CF8 CUBEN STUFF SACK | 4.30 |
| TOOLS | |
| MIRROR / COMPASS / MOUNTAIN LAUREL DESIGNS CUBEN FIBER BAG | 1.50 |
| LEATHERMAN TOOL | 5.30 |
Bahco 396-LAP Laplander Folding Saw, 9-Inch Blade, 7 TPI |
6.70 |
| EXTRAS | |
| POWER CHARGER | 6.30 |
| GERBER JUNIOR GATOR MACHETE | 14.30 |
| TOTAL SUM OF WEIGHT OUNCES | 433.55 |
| TOTAL SUM OF WEIGHT POUNDS | 27.10
|
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