Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
wade). Upstream, the trail sees many muddy moments as it crosses several cold minor
side streams before trailside campsite 9B7. A mile upstream, just before campsite 9B8
(and a pit toilet), is the last, less serious ford, below a patch of burned forest.
Another mile on, the trail passes several algae-rich thermal areas fringing
Three Rivers
Meadow
, then passes inviting campsite 9B9 (no campfires and a two-night limit), with a
hiker-only site tucked away on the east side of the canyon near the base of a thundering
waterfall that descends from towering
Batchelder Column
. The 9B9 stock-only camp-
site and an NPS patrol cabin lie across a bridge on the opposite riverbank.
It's worth the steep extra mile slog up out of the lovely river flats to the canyon's wild
upper valley, where hidden campsite 9D1 (no campfires, sometimes not open until
August) awaits beyond a footbridge over the
Bechler's Ferris Fork
. It doesn't get any
lovelier than this: camp perched on a peninsula near
Three River Junction
, overlooking
the Gregg, Ferris and Phillips Forks' tumbling confluence.
DAY 3: CAMPSITE 9D1 TO FERRIS FORK HOT SPRINGS
3-4 HOURS, 4 MILES, 500FT ASCENT
Having made it all this way, you will be giddy if you have booked an extra day in the
Three River Junction. When booking your trip, if you reserve another campsite in the 9B
group, you can spend a day exploring.
Beyond 9D1, the trail switches back uphill 0.5 miles past 45ft
Ragged Falls
to an un-
signed (but well-trodden) turnoff on the east side of the trail for
Ferris Fork Hot Springs
.
The springs' submerged thermal source emanates from the middle of a 45ft- diameter,
waist-deep pool, where it mixes with chilly water from the stream's main channel, creat-
ing a royal, five-star soak.
After checking out the surrounding thermal features, you might choose to hike another
0.5 to 1.5 miles upstream along the Ferris Fork to explore a quintuplet of seldom-seen wa-
terfalls: 33ft
Tendoy Falls
, 20ft
Gwinna Falls
, 35ft
Sluiceway Falls
and 28ft
Wahhi
Falls
.
Retrace your steps down into Bechler Canyon to your chosen 9B series campsite. If you
are unable to reserve a campsite for the final night, it's a lengthy but manageable
13.5-mile descent back to the ranger station.
DAY 4: BECHLER RIVER CANYON TO BECHLER RANGER
STATION
4-5 HOURS, 8-12 MILES, 800FT DESCENT
