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Tony Grove to Wood Camp, September 29, 2013

Four Cache hikers, Dave P., Jim, Denis and the hike leader, Dan, started out from the Backountry Trailhead at Tony Grove for a long hike to Wood Camp.  Accompanied by cloudy skies, muddy trails and patches of snow  on the ground, the group passed two hunters on horseback west of Coldwater Spring - the only other people that were encountered on this hike.  The hikers turned south at the damaged sign that marked the Wilderness boundary and enjoyed great views of Mt. Elmer and glimpses - and bugling - of an elk as they descended the ridge and turned down into Cottonwood Canyon.  After passing Cottonwood Spring, they stopped for lunch at a well-used camp site in a meadow. 

The Mt. Naomi trail continues west toward Mt. Elmer, but instead the group turned south on an old, unmaintained trail, crossed picturesque meadows and snapped photos as the trail contoured along the hillside.  The way led through several blackened areas from the recent Mt. Elmer fire before arriving at the ridge separating South Fork Cottonwood from Cottonwood Canyon.  From here, they followed the Cottonwood trail south while enjoying scenic views and the sounds and sights of Clarks Nutcracker, Chickadees, and raptors.  After arriving at the Old Juniper Trail, it was all downhill to to Wood Camp.  They arrived at the trailhead about 6 p.m., but the drive to Tony Grove to pick up their other vehicle delayed the return to Logan until 7:30.  The trip totaled 12.7 miles with  about 1800 feet of climbing.

Trip summary:

• Dropped a vehicle off at Wood Camp, then drove on to Tony Grove and the Backcountry Trailhead
• Hiked along the Mt. Naomi Peak NRT, 5.5 miles to a meadow east of Mt. Elmer
• Turned south on an old trail 2.9 miles to the Cottonwood Trail
• Continued south 1 mile to the Wilderness boundary and the Old Juniper trail
• A final 3.3 miles to the Wood Camp trailhead
  
• Total:  12.7 miles, 1800 ft. climbing and 4200 ft. descending
  

(Thanks to Dan for the trip description, photos and GPS track.)

Patches of snow along the way
Cache Hikers in a burned area from the recent Mt. Elmer fire
Colorful maple leaves	Looking south toward Wood Camp

This is a topographic map showing our GPS track

Click here to see a satellite view of the route (using Google Maps)

Download a Google Earth file to see our route in 3-D