Moderate, 1,322 ft gain 9.5 mi Out and Back
Extending beyond Siffleur falls for another 2.3 mi to the edge of the Siffleur Wilderness area, this trail add-on increases the difficulty and the trail degrades as you get closer to the wilderness area. More views of the various rapids and falls as well as a closer look at Elbe Peak. Rope section at the end to climb a degraded hill, but not too difficult. I believe another tenth of a mile from where I turned around is a small campsite as mentioned in yesterday’s comments.
Elbe peak stabs its way upward while the Siffleur river flows through the canyon below.
The steep ridgeline of Elbe peak.
One of the better waterfalls beyond the main Siffleur falls, this is at the edge of the wilderness area and has another rapid out of frame below.
u/ikidd I believe the final waterfall pictured is the one you mentioned as having the campground. Its right by the boundary of the wilderness area. Definitely not the same as what I originally thought.
Yes, second last pic is that waterfall. I've swam in that pool at the bottom and the campsite is maybe 50m downstream past some trees. From there you're into Siffleur Wilderness proper. I've been in there a few times, on regular backpacks and as an alternate route for the GDT that requires some pretty good bushcraft to get you back to the GDT proper. I doubt a dozen people a year access that area to any depth, it's true wilderness and some awesome scenery. I'm not one for taking pictures but here's a few from that area:
Trail isn't maintained:
Bear. On this trip, myself and the young guy below ran into a grizzly across a burned over meadow. I had him back away while he kept me between him and bear, and when he was gone and well out of sight, I slowly backed away. Bear just watched me and never charged. I'd told Nick before he went that if it took me, he was to make for the truck and don't look back. All's well that end well.
Mountains:
Caves:
No pics but I remember having a midnight chat with a wolf pack that was chasing an elk past where I was sleeping by the fire. The elk woke me up as it ran by through the brush, and the wolfpack surrounded me as they noticed me. I could see eyes all around me so I said "I think he went thataway" and they fucked off after the elk after sniffing around me for a minute. Guess even wolves in that area don't mess with humans, or they didn't like the fire, which was pretty burned down by then.
I've also seen cats in there, they worry me more than the wolves.
Damn, that is wild. Agree on the cats, they worry more than anything and I’ve rarely ever even seen any. I had wondered if many people went out that way as a backpacking trip, but I’d say you filled it in really well. Thanks!