Author |
Message |
hansh Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2004 Posts: 615 Location: Bend, OR
|
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 12:44 pm Post subject: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
This was a second attempt at this trip. I'm a single parent and my out-of-cell-signal-freedom is usually limited to overnighters if I don't have additional backup (more on this later). Leslie Gulch is approx 6.5 hrs from Bend, OR, on the Owyhee Reservoir...downwind getting there, upwind on the return I was completely unaware and unprepared for the beauty of this canyon on the first trip. The goal had been to paddleboard to Echo Rock hot springs on arrival, and then, a leisurely trip back home the next day. Taking in the beauty of the canyon had taken too much time, and a hike through one of the several off-shoot canyons also seemed necessary, except I hadn't brought appropriate clothing/safety provisions for ticks and rattlesnakes. I had made it to within a half mile of the hot springs on the previous trip, but the sun was setting and the NEW batteries I'd brought for my headlamp were DOA I had to turn back and commit to another time.
This trip, my friend and I claimed a campsite and then went straight to the water.
The paddle was perfectly gorgeous, and luckily, we made it to the hot springs with plenty of time to spare...since this hot springs needed to be filled and cooled appropriately before use. It was too hot of a day for hot springs, but we managed to enjoy the experience
We made our way back and got to the campsite, just at dusk, for cold beer, portobello burgers, and a movie. The next morning we went for a hike to see more of the amazing rock formations in this area. This time, I was better prepared with long pants, sturdy shoes, and a gps device with two-way text communication. My biggest concerns with being this far off-the-grid are communication with my kids and the possibility of a rattlesnake bite. To be clear, I am not concerned with broken bones or sprained ankles, but I am concerned about tissue/organ damage from a snake bite while SAR/EMS/heli get me to some CroFab. A Garmin inreach explorer solved both of those concerns. I was able to send and receive texts with my son (maybe longer off-the-grid trips in my future?), and I knew that I could communicate with rescuers if bitten by a snake.
The hike was beyond awe-inspiring
And seriously, I stepped within a foot of this big guy! He gave me two ticks of his tail, and before I'd landed from my jump, I could see him ready to strike.
We finished our hike and began the upwind journey home. Poor little 1.9L A quick stop at Rome Landing on the Owyhee River for Tempeh sandwiches before pushing the rest of the way through Eastern Oregon.
_________________ ‘85 ej22
'84 Westfalia |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MsTaboo Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 4098 Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
|
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Beautiful trip! Thanks for the photos.
(sigh, so many places to explore, so little time...) _________________ Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2015 Posts: 704 Location: Berkeley Ca
|
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Killer! What owning a westy is all about. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Steve Arndt Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2005 Posts: 1780 Location: Boise, Idaho
|
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Cool report.
This pic is Succor creek on the way to the gulch;
_________________ Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project |
|
Back to top |
|
|
dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16508 Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9620 Location: Western WA
|
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Cool trip report.
Drama, life/death, and really nice pics too. _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
|
Back to top |
|
|
E1 Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2013 Posts: 6585 Location: Westfalia, Earth
|
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:03 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Well done, enjoyed! 👍🏼
We had a Mojave green in our camp all day a couple years ago. Most-toxic of the bunch. Fun to watch, not aggressive, easy to avoid. We never step anywhere where we can't see for at least a striking distance (normally 2-4 feet max), or probe bushes with trekking poles if not -- or avoid the step altogether.
We have lots of lights if nature calls overnight, easiest situation to miss one. Far more worried about a hundred Grand in antivenin than the bite itself (He says...), so treat every look like our last. _________________ ‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Alaskaberrys Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2016 Posts: 1001 Location: SE Alaska
|
Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Wow. And a hot springs too? Bliss.
Thanks for that! _________________ '91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thatbaldwinlife Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2011 Posts: 777 Location: Out exploring
|
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 6:22 am Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Nice! I've done the Owyhee / Leslie Gulch area a bit on my dualsport bike. It would be great to get the Westy out there.
nate _________________ 1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Slimvest Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2014 Posts: 431 Location: Portland, OR
|
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:59 am Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Whoa, ships in the night. Was just there and camped in the site next to yours. Man, I wish I saw a rattler!
Great pics and thanks for the post. _________________ '87 GL w/ Reimo top |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mrshrimp Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2013 Posts: 373 Location: Portland
|
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 11:00 am Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Nice to see the water level is up to normal. I was out there a few years ago and you could drive along the bank up to those hot springs. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SSWesty Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2008 Posts: 732 Location: Bellevue
|
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Cool pictures and report. It's amazing how certain sounds can make you jump like superman. Snake twitches their tail and you jump for your life, good old nature and survival. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3119 Location: Bozeman MT
|
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:26 pm Post subject: Re: Trip report - Leslie Gulch |
|
|
Nice trip report!
FYI, you can buy kevlar gaiters designed for rattlesnake protection (about $40/pair). I need them for one of my job sites in South Dakota. They're worth having. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|