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Coldwater Spring Loop, 7 August 2016

Eight hikers went on the Coldwater Spring loop: Lena, Laurel, Dave W., Stephanie, Ron, Denis, Nikolai, and Dave P. (leader). It had rained during the night, so it was humid, but still cool. After leaving the backcountry parking lot we enjoyed ripe huckleberries on the slope. There were many flowers still in bloom, especially the pink and yellow owls’ clovers, Indian paintbrush, and yarrow. Fleabane and purple aster were in bloom so we were able to directly compare them.

We were shocked to see a road bulldozed up the Bear Hollow trail which was our return route. We headed up to Coldwater Spring where the spring was running well but pipe had been removed so no one drank from it. After a break at the high point on the ridge we encountered some rain and wind. A thunderstorm on the other side of Logan River threaten to soak us, but fortunately it moved east. To avoid the risk of lightning we postponed lunch until we reached the yurt, which was safe but less than scenic from over-winter debris.

We encounter the newly bulldozed road again above Hansen Pond. We followed it 1.1 miles back to the Coldwater Spring junction where we speculated on the purpose of the road. Dave W., Denis, and Nicoli explored it toward Tony Grove but when it started heading up they diverted back to the backcountry parking lot. We arrived back in Logan by 3 p.m.

Trip Summary:

• Organized carpools and drove 29 miles up Logan Canyon to the Backcountry Trailhead at Tony Grove
• Started hiking at 9:00 a.m., with a rest break 10:20- 10:30
• Lunch at the Blind Hollow Yurt, 11:15 - 11:45 a.m.
• Back at the trailhead at 1:40 and Logan at 2:40
• Mostly cloudy with a light breeze and a threats of thundershowers
• 7.4 miles with 1800 feet of ascent

Thanks to Dave P. for the narrative and photos, and Dave W. for photos and GPS work