The day started cloudy and cool in a Duluth parking lot. Eight women gathered, chatted,and loaded gear into two cars for the drive to the trailhead. Two hours and two last "civilized" pit stops later, we met up with the other seven women in our merry band.
A few of the more experienced backpackers helped the beginners with last-minute gear choices and assisted with correctly loading their packs. Hemlock demonstrated how to properly adjust a pack to carry the load comfortably. Many of the beginners had borrowed gear for this trip, and their packs were heavy!
After a final check, we started off down the trail. The plan was to hike north on the Bartram Trail from Warwoman Dell two miles to Martin Creek falls and stay in a nearby campsite. This is a perfect section of trail for beginners. I would rate it moderate: no significant elevation gain or loss, but a few short steep sections give a taste of what it's like to carry a loaded pack on variable terrain.
The woods were still green with the last gasp of summer, but some leaves were beginning to turn yellow, whether from drought or impending cooler temperatures, I can't be sure. Some late summer flowers endured along the trail too.
We stopped after a short distance at Becky Branch Falls to take pictures and make sure everyone was doing well. We stopped again at the forest service road, approximately the half way point, to regroup, take off our packs, and enjoy lunch.
Refreshed, we headed on to camp. Along the way, we gave tips on how to use hiking poles, did some impromptu yoga, and learned about Indian trail trees. Just before reaching camp, we stopped to get water. There was a lot less water in the creek than on my last visit here in June, and the side stream was dry. April demonstrated her water filter and we discussed various water treatment options.
We finally arrived at the large campsite and started setting up tents and hammocks. After we were settled in, Hemlock, Ratchet and I scouted for trees to hang our bear bags. This area is very difficult with few horizontal limbs. We set a few ropes and identified the teaching tree, where Ratchet and I demonstrated three methods for hanging bear bags: "east coast", PCT, and alternate PCT. Then we set the beginners loose to try their hands at getting ropes into trees.
Ratchet started a nice campfire, and demonstrated her techniques to the rest of us, eventually turning over the fire to the beginners to maintain. They did a great job and kept it going for hours!
Just as it started getting dark, we were delighted to see Mud Butt and Pam walk into camp! We sat around the fire, played games, and had a great discussion of the three P's: peeing, pooping, and periods. We finished the evening with yoga for backpackers. A few hardy souls stayed up way past hiker midnight laughing, sharing stories, and bonding in the way that only happens on the trail.
The next morning, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and broke camp. Some of the group took a loop past the falls before heading back to the trailhead. The rest of us headed straight to the cars. The weather cooperated with another day of perfect hiking weather. Once back at the trailhead, we created a gear exchange area to return borrowed gear and to retrieve loaned items.
Before we went our separate ways, Mud Butt demonstrated the legendary Dance of the Real Women. Several of us joined in and are now immortalized on
You Tube. Thanks Monica!
Watching these women take their first-ever backpacking trip, hearing the encouraging words of the hike leaders, and witnessing uncertainty turn into confidence, was truly inspirational. I am constantly amazed by the courage and support exhibited by all the women I have met on Trail Dames hikes. We are all very unique women, with different backgrounds, interests, careers, and family situations. Most of us would never interact with each other in our "real" lives. But we are brought together by a love of being outdoors, challenging ourselves, and encouraging each other to be our very best selves.
