I went on an overnight trip with my cousin, Paullena, to Mount Spokane and Mount Kit Carson. It was a fantastic little weekend getaway that was close to home.
My main goal was to make sure everything was right with my new sleep system. I decided to go the hammock route.
My sleep system consists of the following:
- Wise Owl Outfitters double hammock
- Wise Owl Outfitters hammock underquilt
- Wise Owl Outfitters rain fly tarp
- Kelty Ranger Doug 30 sleeping bag
- Wise Owl Outfitters camping pillow
I also have a single-person hammock, however, the double hammock is longer in length and, with the extra fabric was able to fold it completely over myself to create a warm cocoon.
Once we had our camp set up, we ate lunch then headed to the trailhead for Mount Kit Carson around 2:00 PM. I opted for a bowl of hot chili and cup of coffee.
This area is one of my favorite hiking spots that is near home. There are many trail options that all come together at Saddle Junction, as well as the option to hike up to just one or multiple summits; Mount Spokane, Mount Kit Carson, Day Mountain, Bald Knob, and Beauty Mountain. I have a few great memories of getting lost on one of my very first hiking trips, falling waist deep into snow, and meeting a mother black bear and her cub which, very abruptly ended our hike as there was nowhere else to go but back down the trail.
To get to the summit of Mount Kit Carson, park at the hairpin parking lot, just past the Rangers Station on N Mt Spokane Park Dr. The trailhead is just across the road once you park. Once you enter the trailhead, take an immediate right at the ‘Y’ onto Trail 103 followed by an immediate left at another ‘Y’, onto Trail 100.
You will then cross over Burping Brooke on what looks to be a handmade wooden bridge.
I have hiked this trail many times and while the water was low this weekend, it can get high and extremely cold. It is a great spot to fill up on water.
Shortly after crossing Burping Brook, you will come to another ‘Y’ in the trail where Trail 110 goes in both directions. Follow the trail to the right and continue hiking towards the summit.
One of my favorite features of this trail is the natural overgrowth of moss. It comes out of the trees, stumps, bushes, and ground in multiple tufts and is a beautiful bright green, sometimes black. It also makes for great insulation if you are building a shelter.
You will hike for about 2 1/2 miles before finding yourself at Saddle Junction. This is a great area to stop and rest, and you will be met by a few trails; Trails 110, 140, 160, and Mount Kit Carson Loop Road.
Here is a quick breakdown of the trails that meet at Saddle Junction:
- Trail 160 will lead you to the summit of Mount Kit Carson.
- Trail 140 (heading in the northeast direction) will lead you to the CCC Cabin.
- Trail 140 (heading southwest) will lead you back to the trailhead, meeting a few trails along the way.
- Mount Kit Carson Loop Road (heading northwest) will lead you to the trail for Day Mountain as well as around the Mount Kit Carson.
- Mount Kit Carson Loop Road (heading southeast) will lead you to the CCC Cabin as well as Beauty Mountain.
I do not recommend hiking along Mount Kit Carson Loop Road during the Winter season, as it is heavily trafficked with snowmobiles and downhill skiers. If you find yourself in trouble, however, it is a great area to be. The Rangers and other locals patrol this area and will stop for anyone in need of help. Paullena and I found ourselves in need of help this past winter and we were thankful for a local man who helped us on his snowmobile. He drove us to the CCC Cabin, then he and the Ranger got us down the mountain and safely to my car.
As you exit Trail 110 into Saddle Junction, you will see a sign for Mount Kit Carson. You will be on Trail 160 which will come to another ‘Y’ in the trail. Stay to the left and follow Trail 160 to the summit. The view at the summit is breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. One could easily just sit there all day, absorbing every detail of it.
You may also go to the right onto Trail 130 which will take you to the lower part of Mount Kit Carson as well as Day Mountain. It is also a beautiful view so if you have the extra time, I would highly recommend hiking to the end of both trails.
The view from the top of Trail 160:
We did not not hike to the top of Trail 130 for this trip, but here is the view from the top on a previous hike:
We made it back to our camp around 6:45 PM and were hungry, so we decided to start a fire for warmth and cook dinner. I use the Jetboil Flash which is a fantastic cook system. For dinner I decided on tortilla soup followed by s’mores trail mix made with honey Teddy Grahams, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. It was a rewarding treat for the end of the day.
We were able to collect cold, fresh creek water throughout the evening and filtered it using my Katadyn BeFree water filtration system. One of the many great features of this water filtration system is that it allows me to drink directly from the nozzle or refill my water reservoir in a matter of minutes. When it came time to refill my water reservoir, I hung my Katadyn from a sturdy branch and started a fire while it refilled.
We were awakened the next morning by the sound of turkeys on the other side of the creek which is a sound that will always make me laugh.
It was a pretty quick morning, as Paullena had to be home fairly early to care for her puppies. We started another fire and ate breakfast. I opted for a berry breakfast crumble (the recipe is from my membership with Backcountry Foodie), then packed up our camp and hiked towards the car.
Outdoor Trail Adventures 