CLOCKWISE - Eagle Rock Loop Backpacking trip 30 mile loop
Details
CLOCKWISE - ERL
This is not a backpacking trip for beginners.
Starting at the Little Missouri Falls- hiking the loop CLOCKWISE. Please note we are going the other direction from the past few years.
Friday arrive by 9:00- 9:30am and hit the trail by 10:00am. Allow more time than you think to get there. We will leave by 10 to make sure we arrive at camp before it gets dark. Leave Little Missouri Falls and hike 10 miles to our normal camping area next to the river a mile before you cross over into Winding Stairs.
Saturday (the big day 13-15 miles) hike over 5 mountains. We will be camping in our normal spot which is between Mt. McKinley and at the base of Hurricane Knob.
Sunday hike the remaining 5 miles back to the cars at Little Missouri Falls
This is a backpack trip you will need to carry everything with you. Trekking poles are a good idea on this loop. Some people bring water shoes for the creek and river crossings.
Please do your own research about this hike. There are several YouTube videos and blogs about Eagle Rock loop.
The map pin may be off. Research how to get to the Little Missouri Falls before you leave.
This is an excellent weekend loop hike that has a good combination of easy, moderate, and difficult trails. There are many trail access points but I like to start at the Little Missouri Falls. The loop combines the Little Missouri Trail, Viles Branch Trail, and the Athens-Big Fork Trail. Very easy deep woods hiking but be prepared for some wet crossings of the creek.
The Athens-Big Fork Trail is the one that makes this hike a challenge. It follows an old mail route and is very, very steep. The trail climbs up and over 6 different mountains in its 8 miles of the loop. These climbs and descents are very brutal and could be very dangerous for those not in good shape. If you can make the climbs there are some spectacular views for you. All of the trails have plenty of access to water if you can filter it yourself.
The trip is two nights over 2.5 days of hiking, 30 miles over a lot of ridges and wet creek/river crossings.
You should have prior overnight backpacking experience and know how to pack for a trip this length. (You should try to keep your total pack weight around or under 30 lbs) There is plenty of water to filter on the trail, so you don’t have to carry a lot.
OK here's my disclaimer: By signing up for this trip you are taking full responsibility for your own actions and will hold harmless event organizer for any injury or death. This event is covering very uneven and loose ground with many hazards along the way. You also realize that dangerous and deadly flash flooding have been know to happen in this area. Wildlife is unpredictable so don't pet the snakes and don't hook up with Bigfoot.