tylerhirshfeld
01-22-2013, 05:16 PM
Well, I havent posted for a while, but now I am getting back out playing again. It's about time. Being from Southern Utah, I was stationed here at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho in November after Air Force Basic Training and Tech School and now get to find new things to do here.
We took a trip out to Craters of the Moon this last weekend for some snowshoeing on the North Crater Trail. We started off at the Visitor Center and followed the groomed x-country ski trail to the pass between Paisley Butte and North Crater. After topping the pass we descended the meadow leading up to Inferno Cone and then jumping on the trailhead at the Spatter Cones. From here we traversed to the rim of Big Craters and awed at the depth and grandeur of the sleeping volcanoes. After lunch and snapping a few pictures, we made it to the base of North Crater, wrapping around its west base, and descending the rocky gully onto the North Crater Flow. Little Sketchy here as there are hidden crevasses. But we followed the stakes and stayed safe. From the flow, we route found our way on top of the bench that rests on the north side of North Crater back to the groomed x-country trail. The trip was very rewarding and one of the best ways to see the park in solitude. It took us about 5 hours to do the 6 mile trip, with us cutting fresh snow for about 4 miles. Enjoy some pics, and a map I made highlighting some good winter routes. Oh yeah, we also got in a good soak at a natural hot spring near Carey, ID on the way home.
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We took a trip out to Craters of the Moon this last weekend for some snowshoeing on the North Crater Trail. We started off at the Visitor Center and followed the groomed x-country ski trail to the pass between Paisley Butte and North Crater. After topping the pass we descended the meadow leading up to Inferno Cone and then jumping on the trailhead at the Spatter Cones. From here we traversed to the rim of Big Craters and awed at the depth and grandeur of the sleeping volcanoes. After lunch and snapping a few pictures, we made it to the base of North Crater, wrapping around its west base, and descending the rocky gully onto the North Crater Flow. Little Sketchy here as there are hidden crevasses. But we followed the stakes and stayed safe. From the flow, we route found our way on top of the bench that rests on the north side of North Crater back to the groomed x-country trail. The trip was very rewarding and one of the best ways to see the park in solitude. It took us about 5 hours to do the 6 mile trip, with us cutting fresh snow for about 4 miles. Enjoy some pics, and a map I made highlighting some good winter routes. Oh yeah, we also got in a good soak at a natural hot spring near Carey, ID on the way home.
63022
63023
63024
63025
63026
63027
63028
63029
63030
63031
63032
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