3 Day trip from Summerland Trailhead to Box Canyon Trailhead
Friday morning we got our permits and did some car shuttling between Summerland trailhead and Box Canyon trailhead. After getting all that situated we began hiking around 11 am. The trail was in great condition with only a very small amount of snow on the trail that will be gone soon. The wildflowers are blooming and were amazing. The sites at summerland are amongst the trees which was a relief as the sun was out in full force. In the evening we spend time down by the water filtering water and watching the marmots. I lost count of how many I saw. The ranger told us in the morning we might be lucky and see a wolverine thats been hanging out around camp but we never did see it. The bear pole is up and the there is a urine-diverting toilet.
Saturday we headed up Panhandle Gap to Indian Bar camp around 11. Within the first 1/2 mile we came across a water crossing. We forded it instead of going over the snow as the water felt great in the heat and the snow crossing is quickly melting out as a snow bridge. Once you reach the tarns above Summerland its basically snow until you reach the ridge down into Indian Bar. The sketchiest part was the final 200ish feet to the top of Panhandle Gap. We had microspikes and trekking poles which made it more comfortable. The rest of the snow fields were slow going, but low consequence. I don't think I've used as much sunscreen on a hike before this. It was out in full force and very hot. Drink water and take breaks.
Indian Bar camp has 4 sites which are uphill from the tail. After all that hiking I wasn't happy about having to climb, but the views are great, especially from site 2. The toilet is a simple box at the very top near site 4 so it was a decent trek.
Sunday we hiked out to Box Canyon. There's some snow as you climb out of Indian Bar and it was definitely softer and more postholey than the day before even though we started earlier around 8:30. I was leading the group and tried to collapse any little bridges on trail that I saw but be on the lookout as snow melts; definitely potential for sprained ankles if you misstep. The last 5 or so miles was snow free, but also there weren't many good water sources until Nickel Creek.
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