"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” John Muir
With the trip planned and all essentials acquired, it was time to pack for the trip to the Pecos Wilderness with the Boy Scouts. Much attention was paid in getting the balance of the pack just right, and making sure everything was tucked neatly inside of the pack save for items needed rapidly or in an emergency. Once finished except for the weight of two 32 ounce Nalgene bottles, the pack weighed around 30 pounds.
We loaded up on the bus Friday around 6:00pm and pointed it Westerly for the Texas New Mexico state line. A familiar stench hit my nostrils as the smell of sweaty adolescence that had collected in the very soul of the bus from hundreds of camping trips crept out as we traveled. The sun beaming through windshield of the bus warmed me as the terrain gradually changed from plains to the mesa covered land of eastern New Mexico. As we rolled on through the dusk I could hear the boys in the back of the bus in a constant chatter as various jokes and games were played out. Some of the men were working with the younger boys on merit badges and advancement, hoping to move them from scouts to tenderfoots. Having secured a spot at the very front of the bus, I stretched my legs out and pondered the next day’s hike, making mental notes of the boys that would be hiking with us and how each would need to be coached or prodded up the mountain. Running through the gear I had packed in my head, making sure I had everything I needed, not that I could do anything about it now, but non-the-less still running system checks.
As the sun sank behind the horizon and made way for the night, I began to look forward to camping in the cool mountain air and waking up the following morning to find what wonder of a place we had journeyed to. There is something mystical about getting to a new place in the cover of night, only to wake up and behold the beauty you have happened upon, and this would be no different.
Close to midnight, after snaking our way up a winding mountain road for about 45 minutes to Cowles, NM, we parked at our campsite, unloaded and began to set up camp. The temp had dropped significantly, and I was digging for fleece and my beanie. Chase and I set up my two man backpacking tent and buried ourselves in our sleeping bags. Various snoring, voices, hacking and coughing began as everyone settled in for the night. Some of the boys to excited to sleep, some of the men too tired to care, some, just purging toxic city air from their lungs as the cool crisp mountain air took its place.
Around 6am I woke to one of the men gather and splitting wood the best that he could for a fire. Through the tent fly, I could tell that some light was beginning to illuminate the alien place I had found myself in. Quietly digging as not to disturb my tent mate, I found some layers of clothing to don as I headed out of the tent. Having entered this place witnessing only shadows of mountains and pine, the day revealed that we were nestled in a beautiful valley with the Pecos River flowing about 60 feet from our camp. To the north was the shoulder of the mountain we would be hiking up today. The smell of juniper and pine mixed nicely with the campfire now in its infancy, bringing me to a primitive place of comfort. Breathing deeply, I could feel any tension in my muscles melt away.
With everyone else rousing and breaking down their gear for the hike to come, the cooks dove into cooking breakfast and preparing meals for the hikers. Having packed my own dinner and breakfast for the coming night and morning, I opted only to snag a lunch from them. Soon the breakfast bell rang and I found myself scooping into the biggest bowl of oatmeal I had ever seen, but with the cranberries and raisins mixed in, it was also one of the best. After finishing of the colossal culinary camping cuisine, I wished my tent a bed were still set up for a nap. But alas, we were moments from setting out for Lake Stewart.
We set off for Lake Stewart in waves. Some of the faster hikers set out first, with the rest straggling behind. Occasionally we would take breaks for some of the boys, (but mostly for most of the men) to catch their breath and take a pull from their water bottles. Some of the times the break was a photo op as the glory of the valley was unhindered by tree limbs. As the trail wove in and out of forest, we could catch glimpses of mountain tops in the distance, the lush green valley below, and vast stretches of blue sky. Except for my camera, I felt a million miles from anything. Simply me, my pack, and friends.
With the trip planned and all essentials acquired, it was time to pack for the trip to the Pecos Wilderness with the Boy Scouts. Much attention was paid in getting the balance of the pack just right, and making sure everything was tucked neatly inside of the pack save for items needed rapidly or in an emergency. Once finished except for the weight of two 32 ounce Nalgene bottles, the pack weighed around 30 pounds.
We loaded up on the bus Friday around 6:00pm and pointed it Westerly for the Texas New Mexico state line. A familiar stench hit my nostrils as the smell of sweaty adolescence that had collected in the very soul of the bus from hundreds of camping trips crept out as we traveled. The sun beaming through windshield of the bus warmed me as the terrain gradually changed from plains to the mesa covered land of eastern New Mexico. As we rolled on through the dusk I could hear the boys in the back of the bus in a constant chatter as various jokes and games were played out. Some of the men were working with the younger boys on merit badges and advancement, hoping to move them from scouts to tenderfoots. Having secured a spot at the very front of the bus, I stretched my legs out and pondered the next day’s hike, making mental notes of the boys that would be hiking with us and how each would need to be coached or prodded up the mountain. Running through the gear I had packed in my head, making sure I had everything I needed, not that I could do anything about it now, but non-the-less still running system checks.
As the sun sank behind the horizon and made way for the night, I began to look forward to camping in the cool mountain air and waking up the following morning to find what wonder of a place we had journeyed to. There is something mystical about getting to a new place in the cover of night, only to wake up and behold the beauty you have happened upon, and this would be no different.
Close to midnight, after snaking our way up a winding mountain road for about 45 minutes to Cowles, NM, we parked at our campsite, unloaded and began to set up camp. The temp had dropped significantly, and I was digging for fleece and my beanie. Chase and I set up my two man backpacking tent and buried ourselves in our sleeping bags. Various snoring, voices, hacking and coughing began as everyone settled in for the night. Some of the boys to excited to sleep, some of the men too tired to care, some, just purging toxic city air from their lungs as the cool crisp mountain air took its place.
Around 6am I woke to one of the men gather and splitting wood the best that he could for a fire. Through the tent fly, I could tell that some light was beginning to illuminate the alien place I had found myself in. Quietly digging as not to disturb my tent mate, I found some layers of clothing to don as I headed out of the tent. Having entered this place witnessing only shadows of mountains and pine, the day revealed that we were nestled in a beautiful valley with the Pecos River flowing about 60 feet from our camp. To the north was the shoulder of the mountain we would be hiking up today. The smell of juniper and pine mixed nicely with the campfire now in its infancy, bringing me to a primitive place of comfort. Breathing deeply, I could feel any tension in my muscles melt away.
With everyone else rousing and breaking down their gear for the hike to come, the cooks dove into cooking breakfast and preparing meals for the hikers. Having packed my own dinner and breakfast for the coming night and morning, I opted only to snag a lunch from them. Soon the breakfast bell rang and I found myself scooping into the biggest bowl of oatmeal I had ever seen, but with the cranberries and raisins mixed in, it was also one of the best. After finishing of the colossal culinary camping cuisine, I wished my tent a bed were still set up for a nap. But alas, we were moments from setting out for Lake Stewart.
We set off for Lake Stewart in waves. Some of the faster hikers set out first, with the rest straggling behind. Occasionally we would take breaks for some of the boys, (but mostly for most of the men) to catch their breath and take a pull from their water bottles. Some of the times the break was a photo op as the glory of the valley was unhindered by tree limbs. As the trail wove in and out of forest, we could catch glimpses of mountain tops in the distance, the lush green valley below, and vast stretches of blue sky. Except for my camera, I felt a million miles from anything. Simply me, my pack, and friends.
We came to the lower lake at around 2:30pm, quickly unclipped the weight of our packs from our shoulders and trotted to the edge of the lake. It is a strange feeling after walking for hours with 30 extra pounds strapped to your shoulders to suddenly have it removed. One walks with a short of moon manish gimpy gait that feels as awkward as it has to look.
Group by group the others strolled into camp, displaying the same urgency to ditch their packs and rest their feet. Stewart Lake was actually about a 1/8 of a mile down the trail, some of us went up to have a look, an amazingly beautiful look.
One by one we set up and organized our camp. Chase’s son and I went up to Lake Stewart and began to filter water for everyone. Camp stoves were set up and everyone found a cozy place just had a rest. Funny moments from the hike were relayed to those that were in a different group. As the evening progressed, backpacking stoves were fired up, water was boiled and meals began to be prepared. Chase and I split the Ramen Noodle that I had brought and the Annie’s Lentil soup that he had brought. With the two mixed together, it was a near heavenly dinner.
The boys built a campfire and stories, songs and skits ensued. Laughs were shared and fun was had by all. The toll of the hike began to show as one by one we slipped off into our tents and fell into slumber. During the night I could hear the breeze move through the pine. An owl made its presence known during the night as his voice echoed through the forest. The moon, nearly full emitted an ethereal glow as it ran through the branches of the pines scattering on the forest floor. Breathing in the cool night air in that atmosphere only relaxed me more, and I was saddened that my time there would be short lived as we had to head back down to base camp first thing in the morning.
The sun rose and once again we ran through the paces of breaking camp, cooking our breakfast, brewing some coffee and getting ready to head down the mountain. The valley was even more beautiful in the early morning light. I was glad to be headed back to my home and family, but sad to leave such a wonderful place after spending such little time there.
Group by group the others strolled into camp, displaying the same urgency to ditch their packs and rest their feet. Stewart Lake was actually about a 1/8 of a mile down the trail, some of us went up to have a look, an amazingly beautiful look.
One by one we set up and organized our camp. Chase’s son and I went up to Lake Stewart and began to filter water for everyone. Camp stoves were set up and everyone found a cozy place just had a rest. Funny moments from the hike were relayed to those that were in a different group. As the evening progressed, backpacking stoves were fired up, water was boiled and meals began to be prepared. Chase and I split the Ramen Noodle that I had brought and the Annie’s Lentil soup that he had brought. With the two mixed together, it was a near heavenly dinner.
The boys built a campfire and stories, songs and skits ensued. Laughs were shared and fun was had by all. The toll of the hike began to show as one by one we slipped off into our tents and fell into slumber. During the night I could hear the breeze move through the pine. An owl made its presence known during the night as his voice echoed through the forest. The moon, nearly full emitted an ethereal glow as it ran through the branches of the pines scattering on the forest floor. Breathing in the cool night air in that atmosphere only relaxed me more, and I was saddened that my time there would be short lived as we had to head back down to base camp first thing in the morning.
The sun rose and once again we ran through the paces of breaking camp, cooking our breakfast, brewing some coffee and getting ready to head down the mountain. The valley was even more beautiful in the early morning light. I was glad to be headed back to my home and family, but sad to leave such a wonderful place after spending such little time there.
Wes, sounds like a great time at a beautiful place. It won't be long and you'll have the whole family hiking and camping! Awesome times create wonderful memories. Your Mom and I are proud of you.
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