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Wood Camp to Cottonwood Canyon, 22 July, 2018

Four hikers came out for the Wood Camp to Cottonwood hike - Sandy, Brent, Dave P and Dan (the leader). We carpooled up in two vehicles and left one at the end point, the mouth of Cottonwood canyon. Then back at Wood Camp trailhead we started hiking about 8:50 a.m. The sky was partly cloudy as we climbed slowly through sagebrush, stopping to watch numerous butterflies on thistle flowers. Mountain bikers were coming down the trail. The trail climbs on switchbacks past water sources and good views to Logan Peak and Beirdneau Peak and eventually reaches the wilderness boundary. We went north from here through a burned area and down into South Fork Cottonwood with a few drops of rain. A horse and two mules passed us on the way up the other side. We had lunch on the open ridge at 11:45.

After a relaxing lunch we continued north for a short distance and easily found the turnoff for the lower Cottonwood trail which descends into the bottom of the canyon. The trail passes through thick vegetation and next to an intermittent stream with steep cliffs on both sides. We sampled thimble berries along the way. A pair of Stellers jays screamed at us from the tree tops and juncos scolded us as we came down through the canyon. A hawk cried out from above.

We reached the highway at about 2:25pm and drove back to Wood Camp to pick up the other car. Heavy rain fell as we drove back to Logan which we reached at about 3 p.m.

Trip Summary:

• Participants: Sandy, Brent, Dave P and Dan (the leader)
• Drove 15 miles to Cottonwood Canyon and left a car there, then back 2 miles to Wood Camp
• Started hiking about 8:50 with lunch 11:45 - 12:20
• Arrived at our Cottonwood Canyon car at 2:25 and back in Logan about 3:00
• Cloudy weather with threat of rain
• Hiked 7.2 miles with about 1800 feet of ascent
  
  

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