Well, I knew in advance that we might not quite make our goal of Taylor Springs for a quick overnight hike. And sure enough we hit Baron Creek and after making a few attempts to cross at various places decided that while we might make it across in the afternoon the next morning's predicted thunderstorms and rain would make for a miserable return trip and decided to turn back.

Baron Creek, SF Trail 144 on May 31, 2017.

I've crossed when it's been high like this before but it seemed to be running much faster this year, and since the creek seems to be changing each year the deepest part of the channel is a bit nasty. Then of course there's the Goat Creek crossing not too much further up the trail which has really changed from a long, low crossing to a single, deep and swift crossing so we might have been defeated there as well.

Either way we had an incredible experience after we turned around to go back to the car - we met a small wolf pack. Grays, with at least one little one, at least a half dozen. It was beautiful, the breeze was blowing in the right direction so they didn't smell us and we literally came upon them on the trail. I was so transfixed by how beautiful they were that I didn't get the camera out in time. But it's ok, this is not my first encounter nor will it be my last on this trail. For hikers with dogs this is a trail to either avoid or be really cautious and keep your animal on leash. I don't remember a year where I haven't seen or at least heard the wolves along the South Fork.