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Bennies Brook herd path

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  • Bennies Brook herd path

    Climbed Bennies on Saturday. WOW.

    Came across a cairn and a herd path below the headwall. From pictures I'd seen of the headwall it seemed that this exit from the slide was too early. But there was a cairn and a path so we took the exit.

    While there was a clear path we were walking on vegetation. Further up we were joined by a bare earth path coming in from the slide that was clearly the "main" herd path.

    In retrospect I think I should have descended, removed the cairn, and brushed in the "incorrect" herd path. I think most people would prefer to climb the slide as long as possible and not form an unnecessary herd path.

    Unless people disagree perhaps someone should remove the "incorrect" cairn next time through. I assume the "correct" path is also marked with a cairn.

  • #2
    Agree 100%. False cairns need to be removed. Spend two extras hours on the Dix slide in August due to these. Removed them on the way down, but others were rebuilding (in incorrect locations). Did Bennie's last summer, great experience, don't remember false cairns there, sounds like the issue is spreading. Glad to hear you enjoyed the climb.

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    • #3
      I'm thinking of doing this on Saturday. Any other advice in addition to not leaving the slide too early?

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      • #4
        Traction. It's slippery when wet. Is there rain in the forecast?

        We hiked with neophyte friends of ours that wore running shoes. Oddly enough, I slipped the most of everyone in my Helly Hansen hikers. Plus a seam ripped and my foot got wet. Frustrating.

        It's a lot of fun. You need to look for "lines" to avoid sections of sheer wet rock. Of course, you can always pop into the forest to avoid a difficult section. But that's cheating.

        I believe we were the first up the slide Saturday. It's neat to watch groups inch their way up below you like tiny ants.

        You'll know you are on the "correct" herd path if the trail is worn to bare earth and "depressed" below the level of the surrounding ground.

        Enjoy!

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        • #5
          Add two more who exited too early. Wish we had continued just a little further up the slide to avoid the new social path.

          My wife and I hiked Bennies to LWJ for the first time on October 15th.
          Parked at Marcy Field. Started at the Garden. We took the abandoned Southside trail.

          Followed the abandoned trail to a now closed camping site on Johns Brook, then upstream until we found a suitable crossing point. It wasn't until we looked back across JB that we noticed a cairn marking the crossing point.

          Incompetent rock-hoppers, we removed our trailrunners to cross JB.

          Southside trail is a very nice walk. And as you follow the SS trail upstream watch for a spur (ATV trail) on your left. It bypasses a washed out section of the Southside trail. The spur rejoins the trail pretty close to where the trail bisects Bennies. (Some very helpful threads about the Southside trail are on the HighPeaks Forum). A waist-high cairn marked the approach to Bennies.


          The view from Bennies is spectacular!
          Picnic on top of LWJ was delicious!

          Returned via JBL and the Phelps trail.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by LongLaker View Post
            Followed the abandoned trail to a now closed camping site on Johns Brook, then upstream until we found a suitable crossing point. It wasn't until we looked back across JB that we noticed a cairn marking the crossing point.
            Exactly what we did our first time through.

            Southside takes a hard right off the obvious path before that path dead ends at the "no camping" site. The turn is marked by an old disc but unless you are looking for it you will end up at the dead end. Following the correct trail will take you to the cairn and a fairly straight forward crossing with no shoe removal required.


            Both the right turn and the bypass referenced by LongLaker are shown on this map.
            Last edited by AvalanchePass; 10-19-2017, 09:35 AM.

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            • #7
              We went to the Bennie's jct from Phelps trail left at the T to SS or JBL, (backtracked a bit on the SS) past the ranger cabin, up the slide, then up LWJ, UWJ, and down the trail in the col b/t the two peaks. Did not attempt the closed SS trail. Did not seem like much backtrack at all, if you prefer to stay on the more solid routes.

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              • #8
                Looks dry through Saturday. Would most likely do another hike if that changes.
                What time did you get to the Garden lot on Saturday morning?

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                • #9
                  We got there @ 7:05 and the lot was full. Dropped off my party, drove down to the airfield, and took the 7:30 shuttle. Someone else reported the lot was full @ 6:45. So possibly much earlier than that.

                  Note that the shuttle is now closed for the season. However, when I mentioned the "last weekend" to the driver he said something like "unless the weather's really nice". Seems like a long shot but might be worth a call.

                  1.6 mile walk from Valley Grocery. It's not uncommon for people to offer rides to hikers walking down the road at the end of the day. Might even get lucky on the way up.


                  Edit: Just noticed that the linked Google walking directions show an elevation profile. I believe that's a new feature.

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                  • #10
                    Is parking in town and riding a bike to the Garden an option?

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by jkauff73 View Post
                      Is parking in town and riding a bike to the Garden an option?
                      Probably ... but that's a heckuva steep slope for the average cyclist!
                      Looking for views!

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                      • #12
                        Hi TB,

                        Thanks for the inclusion of the Wolf-jaw lean-to in OSM. My NatGeo map has it placed incorrectly south of the Woodsfall trail. Once again my party was pleased I knew it's location which prevented some unnecessary "poop in the woods".

                        As you may be aware, there are designated sites on the Wolfjaw trail as you descend from the lean-to which are not included in OSM.
                        Last edited by AvalanchePass; 10-17-2017, 05:12 PM.

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                        • #13
                          The incline doesn't concern me. I rode from Jackson Hole to Boulder this summer. One climb alone was 4500 feet of elevation.
                          I am most interested in whether there is a legal spot to park in town. I thought I remember someone mentioning public parking in town. Didn't know if this was true or not.

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                          • #14
                            Link in post 9 shows route from legal parking to trail head.

                            Hopefully you'll get a parking spot at The Garden.

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                            • #15
                              You can park at the Roostercomb Trailhead lot.

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