We made great time with only one stop on the way in.  1.5 hours to the 90 bend of Richland Creek and Twin Falls juncture.  It was misting rain a bit so I sat my tent up first and then piled my gear inside and put up my low to the ground Helionx chair in the vestibule of my tent and with the wind and misting off of me I cooked up some Packet Gourmet Texan Chili with cheese and corn chips.  Enjoyed the heat of the stove as I watched the rest of the guys setup camp.  When we all had our late lunch and our shelters and hammocks setup we dragged up firewood...BIG PILE!  It was going to be cold tonight and we wanted enough to last in the morning as well. 

We put on our day packs.  I always carry emergency stuff when I go day hiking.  Didn't bring any snacks as we only had 3 hours before dark.  So up Richland Creek we went.  We enjoyed Richland Creek Falls.  They go all across the river.  At his time there was about 8 little waterfalls 8' tall going over as the creek was low.  Still plenty of water in it to make it pretty.  Yet no river crossing shoes needed.  Stepping stones is fun with the occasional 1" of water so waterproof boots are wonderful.  We met a couple backpacking there. They had never been there and was asking where things were.  We pointed them to various places and saw them the next day at Twin Falls.

We just had to explore. so up the creek we went.  Following the river banks.  When it got cliffy we crossed over to the other side  After 1.5 hours we opted out to turn around and head back.  Always exploring and going in takes longer than coming back.  We found the Richland Creek to just be amazing.  Wild.  Serene and we were tough men going the distance.  Woo who.

Back at camp our humor is always fun.  We laugh at funny stuff.  For example when Rob pulls his head lamp out to adjust it and the rubber band slips off the lamp and it slaps him across his forehead with a pop that you know that had to hurt and we're all rolling around laughing until our lungs hurt.   The night is full of funny stuff.  We just laugh all the way to dark. 

The fire was 5' long.  It started out as a big fire ring.  I removed half of it and stacked those on the back side to make a reflector fire as it was going to be a cold night. Justin helped out.  We cut off a 5" chunk of a dead hardwood tree about 8" in diameter and then baton that down to 2 finger thick 5" long sticks for his biolight.  Good hardwood burns hot and longer than just twigs.  He cut enough that lasted him for supper and breakfast. 

5:45 pm we heard someone come in after dark.  We were camped next to a big rock the size of a small garage and couldn't see who it was.  After a while I got up to get my food bag that was hanging up in the tree 20' up.  I saw 3 young ladies there. I said have you all been here before?  They said no.  I said I have been here a dozen times and wouldn't walk that trail in the dark you girls are brave.  They asked about Twin Falls where it was.  I looked down at the ground they were gathered around and their fire had gone out.  I invited them to our camp but it was dark and they stayed put.  I went to my tent at around 9:30 pm.

It was dark and quite with the creek babbling.  I could see the glowing fire just under my rain fly and soon all was fast asleep.  I don't know why I couldn't sleep.  I was comfortable, warm. dry but tossed and turned most of the night.  4:30 am I heard Justin get up and stoke the fire a bit.  30 degrees.  Stars all around. 

5:30 I was up.  Packed my sleeping bag and organized my gear.  Got out and Justin was stoking the fire.  Morning!  Soon camp was in full swing.  Jared had a cool night. His sleeping bag zipper had broken and the hammock was cold yet he didn't complain much.  Just said it was a cold night.  I told him of my night just up the creek in a hammock many years ago.  Hammocks need under quilts or you will just freeze in them. 

We packed up our day packs and the college girls followed us up to Twin Falls.  We left them their as we went up above the falls and explored the left creek looking at it down stream.  The 60 foot cliff scramble was fun.  I have done this several other times but folks it was a cliff climb very difficult grabbing on to trees and rocks and pulling yourself up.  Not to bad for a ole timer like me.  (sometimes I think I am crazy doing this stuff)  yet it's fun and their is adventure in it. 

Our trip up the creek was full of that's cool.  That's neat.  That's awesome.  In between all that is careful steps planning each foot hold so as not to slip.  There is almost NO FLAT on this trail.  It's always a step up, down, around, over, through or a climb or decent.  It's wild.  Rob said on the way out.  Mark there must be an Anointing on us.  I know there is.  If we do our part and prepare and be smart God gives the blessing.  Every backpack is prayed over.  Days leading up.  It's a constant prayer.  A thought.  A thanks Lord. 

We returned to base camp packed up and had 8 others we passed on the way back to the vehicles. We left at 12:35 and  a short 1.5 hours long. hike on the way out.  Stopped at 6 Finger Falls.  Stopped in Harrison for Chinese Buffet.  Returned to my house at 5:30 pm.  Fun trip.  We are Blessed.

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