Trip Stats: Distance to wreck - 4 miles. Elevation Gain - about 5800' total. Time up: 3 hours 45 minutes. Time down: 1 hour 40 minutes.
(Side Note)
I know the time up looks pathetic...4 miles in about 4 hours!? Let me just say this hike was harder than the 31 mile hike I did a few weeks ago from Mammoth to Tuolumne Meadows, which we did in under 10 hours. There is no trail to this wreck site, you have to go cross country pretty much straight up to the wreck site. Its a tough hike!
Our first attempt to the crash site was a failure. Well, sort of. We did manage to find the helicopter wreck, which crashed during the recovery process in August of 1969. Alan and I were also extremely exhausted once we reached the crash site due to getting lost several times trying to find our way up. With little time to explore around the crash site we knew we would have to make a trip back and find the actual DC-3 crash.
So a year later we made it back and found more than we ever could have expected. This is one of the most interesting crash sites we have visited so far. All the parts of the aircraft still remain at the scene and there is no sign of the typical fire you find at most crashes. We found many personal items; watches, glasses, change, combs, ladies makeup, shoes, clothes and much more. Take a look at the photos and let me know if you have any questions.
Elevation Profile of the hike. It doesn't look that bad here, but believe me...it sucked.
This is what the DC-3 would have looked like.
Signs that bears are active in the area.
This is what most of the hiking was like...Cross Country.
Starting the stair climb up to the wreck site.
The beginning of a long journey up the boulder wash. It's slow going form here as we gain well over a 1000' in less than a mile.
New comment: Requires approval