I usually take a week off work in the Fall and do one big backpacking trip. This year, I took a week because we were planning to go to Canada to see my mom one last time. Unfortunately she passed before we could leave. We will go up there later for the memorial but I did not cancel my vacation. I could still do a big backpacking trip but the weather was not very co-operative this year so I decided to do a couple small trips instead. The first one I did with Journey to Canyon Creek Falls. The second I would do by myself and go back to Mt. Shasta.
I knew there was no water up there so I would carry all the water I would need. I had 5.5 liters. I did not weigh my pack but I think it was around 45 pounds. It was agonizingly heavy. If water was not an issue Journey could have done this hike but if she came with me this time I would have to carry all her stuff and water for her as well and I would be over 60 pounds for certain. Definitely best that she stay home this time. 5.5 liters was not quite enough. I drank more than I thought going up to the waterfall viewpoint because it was quite difficult so I did not have enough for coffee in the morning. Well, I thought I could survive without coffee. It would be a close thing.
I camped at a huge wide open flat area with a view of Mt. Shasta. It was a very nice sandy spot which of course I had all to myself. There were a lot of wasps buzzing around. A huge amount of them. They did not really bother me much but the buzzing was constant all afternoon. Quite a few flies also. I set up camp, ate my dinner, and relaxed. In the evening, I went up to the waterfall viewpoint.
It was easy until the end at which point there was a 450 ft. climb off trail. It was a steep slog. There seemed to be a path and I think this is a climber’s route but one that is not very commonly used. I made it up to my planned viewpoint of Mud Creek Canyon Falls. It was disappointing. Very disappointing. I studied this spot on Google Earth for many hours and determined that from here I would be able to see the entire waterfall. As long as I could get close enough to the cliff edge. That was the only thing I was worried about. The cliff edge was indeed unstable and I was very careful but getting a view from the edge was not an issue. There were trees blocking the view down at the waterfall and also a ridge that was not showing on Google Earth. GE you are a bad liar. I could see probably 3/4 of the waterfall but not the bottom of it. It was not supposed to be like this. I guess my photo is not really all that horrible but in my mind I was expecting (and wanting) a lot more. I retreated back to camp.
I slept quite well but my tent zipper broke. I have already had it fixed once before so I think it is time for a new tent. Too bad I cannot afford one. It is a good thing the wasps went away at night otherwise I would have had them all in my tent which would not have been very fun. I got up for a nice sunrise view of Mt. Shasta, packed up, ate my breakfast (sans coffee) and hiked back down. It was an interesting and quick trip into the Mt. Shasta Wilderness.
