June in the Klamath backcountry was like a twenty-five pound box of chocolate chips: sweet, unbelievable, and gone before you know it. We left our second camp, Clear Creek, with a trail mix of feelings. We were proud of all the work we accomplished along that dusty, snake-ridden trail. We were a bit discouraged to move on without two of our family: Brendan Collins (San Jose CC), who was medically separated with foot injuries, and Manuel Lagunas (East Bay CC), who left us to attend to matters at home. We were all saddened to say farewell to our first cook, Ann McBroom, who fed us fry-bread s’mores and taught us about wild soap plants and old Indian lore. And finally, as we loaded our packs into the rigs, we were anxious about what would await us at our next camp. Even with the brewing of our thoughts, it didn’t stop us from raiding Parry’s Market, yet again; and once we climbed back in the vehicles, we made our way to Sulpher Springs and the Elk Creek Trail. It didn’t take long for us to make camp and settle in. We met our new sponsor, Jamie Allen, who laughed a lot and knows how to wear tie-dye, and we also met our second cook, Nena Creasey, who we’ve only begun to realize what an awesome cook she is.

Looking back, it’s easy to say that Elk Creek was a blast. We worked through rain and heat, beating bush back and digging tread until our arms hurt. We crossed a log over the river each day and conquered Helga, a leg shredding hill who shows no mercy. In class at night, we learned how to make hemp bracelets, how to write Chinese characters, how to make tortillas, and we furthered our adventure in INTO THE WILD. The weekends were when the fun really began to seep out of the forest. The first weekend at Elk Creek was filled with adventure for all of us. Six of us took up the challenge to hike a twenty-six mile loop around the Marble Rim. It was an unbelievable journey that left us breathless. We hiked through snow, cross-country at times; we climbed peaks and let the sky around us soak into our souls; we looked 2,500 feet down from atop the Marble Rim-we had too many great moments to count. Others that same weekend were having as great of a time, too. At Rainy Lake, Paul Young (CCC—Fortuna), caught his first fish and nearly let it get away from him after jumping back in fright at its wiggling. Others relaxed their bodies in the nearby, bubbling sulphur springs.

As June in Elk Creek progressed, each of us celebrated the passing days with a new evolution. Mario Soliz (CCC—Tahoe), ambushed by a suicide mouse in the KP tent, took his chances with the hammock outside, a.k.a. the mountain lion burrito, and survived the night. Ron Escandon (CCC—Pomona), and Booboo learned that it was just as fashionable, if not more fashionable, to wear clothes that got just a little too close to the fire. Donald Grantham (CCC—Fortuna), and Myra Lemus (CCC—Norwalk) celebrated their birthdays; Myra, with a sense of humor and humility, battled to the bitter end a phantom piñata that just wouldn’t die. And Stephan Garafo (CCC—Placer), learned the hard way how much strength it takes to do atomic sit-ups.

As time passed, spring melted into a summer of mosquitoes, sunburns, and wonky peanut butter hoarding. We celebrated the solstice with a costume party, in which Ganmor the Mysterious, a magician from afar, took top kudos for his wicked-cool style and gnarly bag of tricks. Mario Soliz was a close favorite with his #13 icebox football jersey, made of cardboard, and his foil helmet. To entertain ourselves even more, when the days were long and it seemed like it would be forever for the mules to get there and deliver packages and food, we passed our nights away listening to the soothing melodies of the Frozen Milk Jug Jam Band. Not all of our time at Elk Creek was happy, of course. There were times when each of us were just not having a rad day. But we were there for each other and we made it through those weeks.

And as always, our time at this awesome camp was over too quickly. Before we could even think about it, we were on our way to yet another camp. However, thanks to the efforts of Forest Service staff Jaime, Togan Capoza, River Ranger Dave and his assistant Jill, and many others, we floated down the white waters of the Klamath River in rafts and inflatable kayaks. It was an amazing, wet day.

It’s been over a week now since we’ve moved to our fourth camp at Red Rock. We’ve already put in a dozen water bars, dug tread, cut brush, and accomplished many other tasks that have taken a lot of effort. This past weekend we were able to truly admire the country around us by taking a day hike on Friday with Max Creasey, Nena’s husband. He taught us many things about nature: the names of trees, mushrooms, and the history of forest maintenance. Since it was also a three-day weekend, being the fourth of July on Monday, a handful of us set out on a journey to hike 50 miles in 24 hours. Although some of us didn’t finish, we all had an amazing time. A remarkable time, in foot.

Now, as we climb precariously into the durance of July, into the legendary middle-mouth where our wills are tested and our patience finds new limits, not a single one of us is intimidated by the hard work ahead that will squeeze every ounce of grit determination out of our sore bodies day after day after day. Why? Because we’ve been through so much together as it is. We’ve dug tread and smashed rock; we’ve brushed miles of green that itched between perseverance and poison oak; we’ve panted up grades that could’ve made a merry-go-round dizzy-and we keep doing it. We keep pushing ourselves through those swells and over those hills because we knew that we’ve done this before. We know that we are ready to face July because, together, we’ve made it through June.

Brendan Collins was medically separated on June 6, due to an aching pair of very flat feet. There was hope we’d see him again but in any case we hope he’s doing well.

Mike Leighnor (WEB—Overland Park, KS), taught us an awesome intro to Mandarin Chinese. Dan showed us some macramé and we made bracelets, Donald Grantham showed everyone how to make scratch tortillas. We continued to read INTO THE WILD and spent an awesome day with Max Creasy the forest ecologist who is a wealth of information on the Klamath. We’ve also had a chance to get out and explore a lot of country.

There were only minor aches and pains.

Huge thank you’s to Happy Camp District: Togan Capoza, Jamie Allen, Noah Robinson, Bill Roberts, Heather Bryant (Klamath, 2002), and Ellen Andrews for making our month a great one. Thanks to Max Creasy for teaching our day long class and to Klamath River Ranger’s Dave and Jill for taking us down the Klamath.

PRODUCTION:  

 Trail Maintenance: 

    Elk Creek Trail – 11.5 miles_____