|
Mount Meek is the
touchstone for this hike. It's in a prominent location at the junction
of the Teton Crest trail and the Teton Canyon Shelf trail. It overlooks
both the Alaska Basin and the Wedge. My basecamp for this multi-day
exploration was sited just below the "ed" in The Wedge.
It's good wild country - if you visit, be gentle on the land. There
is little wood for campfires, so plan to take a stove. I personally
find it a lot more satisfying to be able to enjoy the spectacular stellar
display at night, sans fire. Try to walk on rock when possible if you're
off-trail. The alpine plants are fragile and slow-growing, and it's
always possible to walk on bare rock once you're above timberline. During
the days that I spent in the upper reaches of Darby Canyon, I found
two pieces of litter - a Skoal tin and an empty Busch Light can - and
carried them both out. You've really got to wonder about the mentality
of a slob that would tote a full can of beer up the steep canyon path,
just to leave the nearly weightless empty can lying on the edge of the
cliff overlooking Teton Canyon. Go figure...
|