Day 2: Kwagunt Hollow and Jumpup Canyon

Day 2

October 22, 2019

Kwagunt Hollow to Lower Jumpup Spring

Click on photos to see larger image.

Today's Route Stats:

Distance: 3.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 650 feet

Elevation Loss: 450 feet

Because we stopped for the night earlier than originally planned, we would have to stop early today too. We had hoped to get to a nice campsite on the Esplande below Jumpup Point. Because we had a long, waterless stretch to do, and would have to carry water for tomorrow, tomorrow night and the next morning, the added distance that we failed to do yesterday would make it a bit too much for us.

Because we had a very short day, we got off to a very leisurely start. We continued down Kwagunt Hollow, past the two pouroffs that are about half a mile from Jumpup Canyon. This is a nice campsite for a two or three people. The trail then drops steeply to the canyon bottom. It is about 0.8 miles up Jumpup Canyon to Sowats Canyon, and another mile to the ladder at Lower Jumpup.

When we got to Jumpup Canyon, we hid a cache, in a 3-1/2 gallon bucket, containing a day's worth of food for all of us. We would be back here on day 7 (next to last day).

The ladder is made from driftwood and rope. It looks rickety, but is surprisingly solid. The weak spots are undoubtedly the nylon ropes tying it together. Several layers of rope has been added by previous hikers. Once at the top of the ladder, one must climb along a ledge to get to the top. It looks scary, but it would be almost impossible to fall off. It's a lot safer than it looks. But we did pass up packs to make it easier. Update: The ladder was removed in 2020 and has been replaced by a rope handline with loops. It is now much more difficult.

Lower Jumpup spring had plenty of water, but less than the last time I was here.


Pouroff in Kwagunt Hollow.	Small Campsite Between Pouroffs.	Jumpup Canyon Near Sowats.


Ladder at Lower Jumpup.	Camp at Lower Jumpup Spring.	Camp at Lower Jumpup Spring.