St. Mary's is turning into a favorite local backpacking area for me. It's got everything; tough terrain, lush green forest, beautiful water, the ability to make fires and plenty of great spots to set up camp. Also, the weather gods are more receptive to our wishes when we backpack there. This trip the weather man said, "You're gonna get wet you idiots" and we soldiered on regardless. Somehow Dave was able to "hope" for good weather and just like that the gray clouds and drizzle rolled away and we enjoyed mostly clear skies for the entire weekend. For this trip we had Joe, Heather, Dave, Angie and myself.
The first order of business after hiking a few miles and choosing our site was to set up a silnylon tarp which was not needed. However, I'm convinced that had we not set up the tarp, buckets of rain would have poured from the heavens for hours on end and swept us out to sea. If nothing else it's one of those little projects that makes you feel somehow more prepared for anything.
The first order of business after hiking a few miles and choosing our site was to set up a silnylon tarp which was not needed. However, I'm convinced that had we not set up the tarp, buckets of rain would have poured from the heavens for hours on end and swept us out to sea. If nothing else it's one of those little projects that makes you feel somehow more prepared for anything.
Joe rigs up our backwoods porch. 
My new TarpTent Contrail.After setting up camp we ran around exploring and looking for scraps for fire wood. Joe tested his Goretex boots by slipping into the creek, Dave and I hunted for crawdads and Angie and Heather looked on in amusement.
"Sorry, no dry wood here in the creek."
The weather dude couldn't have been more wrong. 80% chance of thunderstorms... yeah right. 
Turns out crawdads can outsmart two college educated Daves. 
As the sun went down we cooked up an awesome batch of FBC style food including spaghetti, chicken w/veggies and mac-n-cheese. We also watched Heather inhale an entire sandwich bag full of homemade bison jerky in about 2 minutes. Dave and Angie got bear bag duty which was made easier by the fact that there was an old pole left by miners that someone had strung up between two trees about 15 feet high. The rest of the night consisted of sittin' 'round the fire, listening to Psychostick and Dave on the harmonica.
The next morning we got up and hiked 3 or so miles down to the river and the falls. The water level was significantly lower since our last trip in May. Of course we didn't know that so Joe and I advised everyone to bring a pair of water shoes if they wanted to keep their hiking shoes dry. We soon found out that the water shoes were completely unnecessary. Again, I believe that had we not brought them, the river would have swollen beyond its banks and swept us out to sea.
The next morning we got up and hiked 3 or so miles down to the river and the falls. The water level was significantly lower since our last trip in May. Of course we didn't know that so Joe and I advised everyone to bring a pair of water shoes if they wanted to keep their hiking shoes dry. We soon found out that the water shoes were completely unnecessary. Again, I believe that had we not brought them, the river would have swollen beyond its banks and swept us out to sea.
One of a few great swimming holes along the trail. So it turns out the water flowing through the Blue Ridge Mountains stays cold all year round. When you jump in the air gets sucked from your lungs and it becomes impossible to take a significant breath for a while. Dave and I just sat in there for a few minutes until I'm sure my core body temperature took a dip. Even after 5 minutes it still felt like pins and needles anywhere that was submerged. Everyone took the plunge though and it was very refreshing, despite the polar bear effect.
The swimming hole right at the base of the falls. 
Overall we hiked about 10-11 miles, enjoyed great weather, good food, crystal clear swimming holes and agreeable company. I'd say that's about the perfect backpacking trip. However, I won't know for sure until September 13 when Dave, Joe and I return from 6 days of hiking across the Beartooth Wilderness in Montana. I'll let you know then.
