Originally we had picked out an 18-mile loop hike for today, but we were both feeling a little sore after yesterday's hike. We decided to pick something with less mileage, and settled on the Lake Ethel trail. According to an old map I had, I was expecting it to be 3.5 miles to the lake, but when we got to the trailhead the sign said that it was 4.5 miles. We hadn't allowed enough time for an extra two miles, so we knew that we'd have to turn back before we got to the lake.
What we hadn't expected was a giant clearcut at three miles in. The guidebook mentioned that the trail crossed some private property and that we'd see some clearcuts, but I hadn't expected a clearcut right across the trail. It was a pretty trail until that point, and it was so sad to see a giant slash pile right next to it.
Mileage = 6
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011: I can finally hike Aasgard faster than I can run a half-marathon!
Since we were camped at the trailhead, it was easy to do a 6:30am start for the hike. Several other groups actually got started before we did! I like to get up early in the morning, but hiking so early is hard for me. I generally prefer a leisurely morning with copious amounts of coffee. Instead, I barely had two sips of my coffee (still too hot!) before we bolted up the trail. We maintained a steady pace to Colchuck, overtaking one of the groups that got an earlier start than we did. We had second breakfast at the lake, and then we tackled Aasgard Pass.
The last time I hiked Aasgard Pass I timed it, and it took an hour and thirty-five minutes. It's only nine-tenths of a mile. My half-marathon PR is an hour and thirty-two minutes. Embarrassing. I was determined to be faster today. I timed it, and from the base to the top it took an hour, twenty-one minutes and fifty-five seconds! A PR! We distance runners are nutty about PRs (okay, maybe it's just me...I'm constantly looking for signs that I'm not just old and out of shape now).
Once we got to the Upper Enchantments we slowed down quite a bit. Jeff H. had never been there before, and I had never seen so many mountain goats all at once before. I'm not quite as awed by them as I once was (after all, what can compare to having three different goats lick me on two different trips up Scotchman Peak?), but the goats were everywhere today! We twice counted at least ten goats in a group. We had one goat approach us and seemingly pose for pictures below Little Anapurna. She was willing us to pee on a rock, but still, it was cool. We did the side hike up to Prusik Pass for lunch and watched two sets of nannies with kids lounging in the snow. Plus, there were all of the lakes! Pace became secondary to photography.
Then we had to descend to Snow Lakes. Pace became secondary to safety. That trail is steep--far steeper than I remember. I can't believe that the last time I went down that trail I had a fifty-pound pack on my back. It was tough enough today with just a day-pack.
We stopped again for a snack break between Upper and Lower Snow Lakes, and we realized that we were going to be a little later than we intended. At least the trail was super easy from there back to the parking lot. Just before we arrived, we spotted two more goats! I had no idea that they ventured so far down, but there was another nanny and kid standing on a rock just a mile from the Snow Lake trailhead!
Mileage = 21.4
Lakes visited = Colchuck Lake, Tranquil Lake, Isolation Lake, Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, Sprite Lake, Leprechaun Lake, Lake Viviane, Upper Snow Lake, Lower Snow Lake, Nada Lake
The last time I hiked Aasgard Pass I timed it, and it took an hour and thirty-five minutes. It's only nine-tenths of a mile. My half-marathon PR is an hour and thirty-two minutes. Embarrassing. I was determined to be faster today. I timed it, and from the base to the top it took an hour, twenty-one minutes and fifty-five seconds! A PR! We distance runners are nutty about PRs (okay, maybe it's just me...I'm constantly looking for signs that I'm not just old and out of shape now).
Once we got to the Upper Enchantments we slowed down quite a bit. Jeff H. had never been there before, and I had never seen so many mountain goats all at once before. I'm not quite as awed by them as I once was (after all, what can compare to having three different goats lick me on two different trips up Scotchman Peak?), but the goats were everywhere today! We twice counted at least ten goats in a group. We had one goat approach us and seemingly pose for pictures below Little Anapurna. She was willing us to pee on a rock, but still, it was cool. We did the side hike up to Prusik Pass for lunch and watched two sets of nannies with kids lounging in the snow. Plus, there were all of the lakes! Pace became secondary to photography.
Then we had to descend to Snow Lakes. Pace became secondary to safety. That trail is steep--far steeper than I remember. I can't believe that the last time I went down that trail I had a fifty-pound pack on my back. It was tough enough today with just a day-pack.
We stopped again for a snack break between Upper and Lower Snow Lakes, and we realized that we were going to be a little later than we intended. At least the trail was super easy from there back to the parking lot. Just before we arrived, we spotted two more goats! I had no idea that they ventured so far down, but there was another nanny and kid standing on a rock just a mile from the Snow Lake trailhead!
Mileage = 21.4
Lakes visited = Colchuck Lake, Tranquil Lake, Isolation Lake, Inspiration Lake, Perfection Lake, Sprite Lake, Leprechaun Lake, Lake Viviane, Upper Snow Lake, Lower Snow Lake, Nada Lake
Friday, August 12, 2011: Eightmile Lakes
Today I drove to Leavenworth for the Alpine Lakes Wilderness dayhikes with Deb and Jeff. It was supposed to be a Mountaineers' event, but only one person signed up and then she got injured and canceled. Deb was still injured, too, so it was just going to be Jeff and me hiking; Deb brought a bike.
My job was to get there early and find a campsite, but I failed miserably! I left Spokane a little later than I intended, and arrived at Eightmile Campground at 4pm. The sign said there were still spaces available, but there weren't. I went to the next campground and found it was already full, too. I then drove up to the trailhead for Eightmile Lakes and did a quick out-and-back to the upper lake--it was an easy trail, and I should have just run it! It took about 2 hours to hike it. Then I went to leave a note for Jeff and Deb that we'd be stuck camping at the trailhead. We weren't the only ones, either--as I cooked my dinner in the parking lot several other people drove in, and we all ended up converting the back of our cars into our beds for the night. Actually, it was pretty comfortable, and it allowed us a very early start for Saturday's big hike.
Mileage = 6.6
Lakes visited = Little Eightmile Lake and Eightmile Lake
My job was to get there early and find a campsite, but I failed miserably! I left Spokane a little later than I intended, and arrived at Eightmile Campground at 4pm. The sign said there were still spaces available, but there weren't. I went to the next campground and found it was already full, too. I then drove up to the trailhead for Eightmile Lakes and did a quick out-and-back to the upper lake--it was an easy trail, and I should have just run it! It took about 2 hours to hike it. Then I went to leave a note for Jeff and Deb that we'd be stuck camping at the trailhead. We weren't the only ones, either--as I cooked my dinner in the parking lot several other people drove in, and we all ended up converting the back of our cars into our beds for the night. Actually, it was pretty comfortable, and it allowed us a very early start for Saturday's big hike.
Mileage = 6.6
Lakes visited = Little Eightmile Lake and Eightmile Lake
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Centennial Trail run
Tonight I had to go to Costco, so I decided to run on Centennial Trail before I went shopping. I like to combine trips, even if it does mean going to the store in my running clothes. It's not my favorite running route, but it works. There were so many people out this afternoon!
Today's mileage = 6
Elapsed time = 48:51 (slow!)
River = Spokane River
Today's mileage = 6
Elapsed time = 48:51 (slow!)
River = Spokane River
August 10, 2011: Sullivan Lake hikes
After the Salmo Loop I drove to Gypsy Meadows to spend the night. That place brings back good memories of trailwork parties with Conservation Northwest, the Mountaineers, the Backcountry Horsemen, and the North Idaho Saddle Mule Club. Doing trailwork with the BCH and NISMC is the best! It's not just that they pack the trail tools in for the hikers--it's that those guys know how to cook! Every time we did trailwork with that crew I actually gained weight despite the tough work.
This time there were no horse or mule people camping in the meadow; it seemed pretty sad to see a jeep near the creek and the high-lead lines empty. I climbed in the tent soon after it got dark and the next thing I knew it was morning! I couldn't believe how soundly I slept!
I had a leisurely breakfast and then headed down to Sullivan Lake to hike the lakeshore trail. I started at Noisy Creek, hiked to the far end, followed the Sullivan Lake Interpretive Trail Loop, and then returned on the lakeshore trail.
Today's mileage: 9 miles
Lakes visited: Sullivan Lake
This time there were no horse or mule people camping in the meadow; it seemed pretty sad to see a jeep near the creek and the high-lead lines empty. I climbed in the tent soon after it got dark and the next thing I knew it was morning! I couldn't believe how soundly I slept!
I had a leisurely breakfast and then headed down to Sullivan Lake to hike the lakeshore trail. I started at Noisy Creek, hiked to the far end, followed the Sullivan Lake Interpretive Trail Loop, and then returned on the lakeshore trail.
Today's mileage: 9 miles
Lakes visited: Sullivan Lake
August 9, 2011: Salmo Loop!
The Salmo Loop is a hike-a-thon favorite; I do it every year, and last year I did it twice! There aren't too many loops like this one: an inland temperate rain forest with huge old growth trees; a river to follow for miles; a ridge with views of Canada, Washington, Idaho, and Montana; wildflowers everywhere; and a chance to see wildlife, including rare wildlife (still no sign of the elusive caribou, however).
Jeff J. was the brave soul who joined me for this year's loop in a day. He had never hiked it before, and said that this was only his second trip into the Salmo Priest Wilderness.
We hiked down 506 first so that we wouldn't have that steep three mile section at the end of the day. The river crossing was really tame this time, and we spent a long time admiring rocks after we crossed the river. I wish I could remember more from that geology class I took in college; the rocks up there are so pretty! We went to the Salmo Cabin, spooked a moose (well, we think it was a moose--we only heard something BIG run off into the woods and saw its obvious bed next to the trail).
Once we made it to the ridge we went up to the Little Snowy Top Lookout, where I saw the strangest juxtaposition of reading material ever assembled: a copy of Playboy next to a copy of the New Testament. Nearby were some dice. Also a compass: not a moral compass! Somebody had a sense of humor.
The wildflowers on the Shedroof Divide were spectacular. The lupine were just starting; the tiger lilies, larkspur, and columbine were in full bloom; and there were a lot of flowers that I couldn't even identify.
Today's mileage: 21.5 miles
Rivers visited: Salmo River
Jeff J. was the brave soul who joined me for this year's loop in a day. He had never hiked it before, and said that this was only his second trip into the Salmo Priest Wilderness.
We hiked down 506 first so that we wouldn't have that steep three mile section at the end of the day. The river crossing was really tame this time, and we spent a long time admiring rocks after we crossed the river. I wish I could remember more from that geology class I took in college; the rocks up there are so pretty! We went to the Salmo Cabin, spooked a moose (well, we think it was a moose--we only heard something BIG run off into the woods and saw its obvious bed next to the trail).
Once we made it to the ridge we went up to the Little Snowy Top Lookout, where I saw the strangest juxtaposition of reading material ever assembled: a copy of Playboy next to a copy of the New Testament. Nearby were some dice. Also a compass: not a moral compass! Somebody had a sense of humor.
The wildflowers on the Shedroof Divide were spectacular. The lupine were just starting; the tiger lilies, larkspur, and columbine were in full bloom; and there were a lot of flowers that I couldn't even identify.
Today's mileage: 21.5 miles
Rivers visited: Salmo River
August 8, 2011: Trail run on Mount Spokane
Today I ran the 110-140 loop on Mount Spokane. I can't believe that I haven't ran this since last fall (there was snow on it then!). 140 is obviously quite popular with the mountain bikers...in other words, it's super dusty. I didn't see anyone else today, though. I also didn't see many ripe huckleberries. Hopefully by next week they'll be ready!
Today's mileage = 6
Today's mileage = 6
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Good things come to those who get lost
I also wanted to get in some lake hikes this weekend. I decided to head back toward Republic before going home in order to see what hiking trails I could find near some of the lakes on the Ferry County side.
The first lake on my list was Curlew Lake at Curlew Lake State Park; I figured that a State Park was bound to have some hiking trails. Well, Curlew Lake is definitely developed more for the RV camping and fishing enthusiasts, but it did have a short interpretive loop hike. I estimate that it was about 1 mile.
After that I headed south of Republic--Aaron had told me awhile back that Swan Lake had some hiking trails. At first I was really disappointed--a kiosk at the lake said that the Swan Lake Loop trail was only 1.5 miles. I put on my running shoes and decided that I'd better run it both directions to get in at least 3 miles, but I wasn't really looking forward to it. Then I got about a mile in and saw a side trail that was labeled Ferry/Swan Lakes Loop! That looked a lot more promising--a loop! and two lakes instead of just one!
Things went well at first. I was afraid I'd lost the trail a few times, but then I'd find another directional marker (and once I was charged by an angry mother grouse!). It was obviously not a heavily used trail. After 40 minutes of running (and feeling pretty good for a change) I arrived at Ferry Lake. Then I couldn't find any more markers. I saw someone at the boat launch, so I decided to ask if he knew where the trail went from there. He was standing in the lake looking at some ripples several feet farther out in the lake--and then a loon popped up from under the surface! I have never seen a loon except in pictures!
The guy didn't know where the trail went, however. He said he did it years ago, and that he, too, lost the route. I went down what looked like the correct trail, but it was quickly too overgrown to follow. I had no choice but to retrace my steps. I never intended to go for a 10 mile run today, but seeing the loon made it all worthwhile.
After I made it back to Swan Lake (which included a run-in with the local bovine population plus my first lake swimming experience of this chilly summer) I drove back to Ferry Lake, hoping to get a picture of the loon. I never did see it again, but I could hear it calling from the end of the lake--they are the coolest-sounding birds!
Today's mileage: 11
Lakes visited: Curlew Lake, Swan Lake, Ferry Lake
The first lake on my list was Curlew Lake at Curlew Lake State Park; I figured that a State Park was bound to have some hiking trails. Well, Curlew Lake is definitely developed more for the RV camping and fishing enthusiasts, but it did have a short interpretive loop hike. I estimate that it was about 1 mile.
After that I headed south of Republic--Aaron had told me awhile back that Swan Lake had some hiking trails. At first I was really disappointed--a kiosk at the lake said that the Swan Lake Loop trail was only 1.5 miles. I put on my running shoes and decided that I'd better run it both directions to get in at least 3 miles, but I wasn't really looking forward to it. Then I got about a mile in and saw a side trail that was labeled Ferry/Swan Lakes Loop! That looked a lot more promising--a loop! and two lakes instead of just one!
Things went well at first. I was afraid I'd lost the trail a few times, but then I'd find another directional marker (and once I was charged by an angry mother grouse!). It was obviously not a heavily used trail. After 40 minutes of running (and feeling pretty good for a change) I arrived at Ferry Lake. Then I couldn't find any more markers. I saw someone at the boat launch, so I decided to ask if he knew where the trail went from there. He was standing in the lake looking at some ripples several feet farther out in the lake--and then a loon popped up from under the surface! I have never seen a loon except in pictures!
The guy didn't know where the trail went, however. He said he did it years ago, and that he, too, lost the route. I went down what looked like the correct trail, but it was quickly too overgrown to follow. I had no choice but to retrace my steps. I never intended to go for a 10 mile run today, but seeing the loon made it all worthwhile.
After I made it back to Swan Lake (which included a run-in with the local bovine population plus my first lake swimming experience of this chilly summer) I drove back to Ferry Lake, hoping to get a picture of the loon. I never did see it again, but I could hear it calling from the end of the lake--they are the coolest-sounding birds!
Today's mileage: 11
Lakes visited: Curlew Lake, Swan Lake, Ferry Lake
Saturday, August 6, 2011: This ain't no cake walk!
Ah, cake walk: the name given to the experience of hiking the entire Kettle Crest in a day. Months ago we picked August 6th as the date of this year's cake walk. At one point I think there were 8 or 10 of us planning to do it. Derrick said we'd better cap it at that so it didn't go too big; it's 43 unsupported miles, after all. Then the attrition started.
Derrick had a meeting, Deb became injured, Aaron and his siblings bowed out, I got sick, and I don't even know what happened to the others. In the end, it was down to just Jeff H.; Deb and I were the shuttle, and I would get in what mileage I could along the way.
Jeff got started at 5am; I was going to join him as far as White Mountain, but I slept through my alarm and decided I'd better just join him for a later section, instead. Deb and I got to sleep in, then we packed up and drove to Sherman Pass to wait for Jeff. I joined him from there as far as the Columbia Mountain Trail, and then I did the loop and went up to the summit to check out the rebuilt lookout cabin. My morning mileage was 8.
After that Deb and I drove to Republic for lunch and to check out town, and then we continued up to Boulder/Deer Creek Summit to set up camp and wait for Jeff to arrive. I felt pretty good on the morning hike, so I decided to try an afternoon trailrun. At first I was just going to do an out-and-back on the Kettle Crest trail, but on the kiosk near the trailhead I found a sign describing the Deer Creek Summit Loop--South, 7.1 miles, and I decided to run that instead. Well, it was really more like wogging--at first I just walked all steep uphills plus whenever I had a coughing fit, but after awhile I was just taking periodic walking breaks. I was a little tired!
When I got back Deb had gotten the campfire started, and we spent the evening roasting sausage for dinner, having s'mores for dessert, and watching the stars and meteor showers (no light pollution!). Jeff finished just after midnight with a very sore knee but no other problems.
Today's mileage = 15.1 (now that's more like it!)
Derrick had a meeting, Deb became injured, Aaron and his siblings bowed out, I got sick, and I don't even know what happened to the others. In the end, it was down to just Jeff H.; Deb and I were the shuttle, and I would get in what mileage I could along the way.
Jeff got started at 5am; I was going to join him as far as White Mountain, but I slept through my alarm and decided I'd better just join him for a later section, instead. Deb and I got to sleep in, then we packed up and drove to Sherman Pass to wait for Jeff. I joined him from there as far as the Columbia Mountain Trail, and then I did the loop and went up to the summit to check out the rebuilt lookout cabin. My morning mileage was 8.
After that Deb and I drove to Republic for lunch and to check out town, and then we continued up to Boulder/Deer Creek Summit to set up camp and wait for Jeff to arrive. I felt pretty good on the morning hike, so I decided to try an afternoon trailrun. At first I was just going to do an out-and-back on the Kettle Crest trail, but on the kiosk near the trailhead I found a sign describing the Deer Creek Summit Loop--South, 7.1 miles, and I decided to run that instead. Well, it was really more like wogging--at first I just walked all steep uphills plus whenever I had a coughing fit, but after awhile I was just taking periodic walking breaks. I was a little tired!
When I got back Deb had gotten the campfire started, and we spent the evening roasting sausage for dinner, having s'mores for dessert, and watching the stars and meteor showers (no light pollution!). Jeff finished just after midnight with a very sore knee but no other problems.
Today's mileage = 15.1 (now that's more like it!)
Friday, August 5, 2011: It was a bad sign
I left town in the early afternoon in order to make the drive up to the Kettle Crest--I was supposed to meet Deb and Jeff at the White Mountain TH in the evening. I took my time going north, stopping in several interesting shops along the way. In one, I found that the shop owner had fallen asleep in his chair at the front of the store; he had relaxing music turned WAY up, and he didn't even hear me enter. I felt a little like an intruder! I don't think he ever knew he had a customer; I didn't find anything to buy, so I exited quietly without waking him.
Once I crossed over the Columbia I started looking for places to hike. I was hoping I could find a trail on the Columbia itself, but nothing stood out on the map. I drove up to the Log Flume trail and ate a snack as I hiked the .5 mile interpretive loop.
After that I continued up the pass, and that's when I saw the bad sign--a huge sign that said "Sherman Creek Trail." I turned, hoping that I could get a few extra miles in. Immediately off the highway was another sign that said Canyon Creek Trail #93, a barrier free trail (paved) that was built by boy scout volunteers. I was sure that the Sherman Creek Trail would be longer than this trail, so I continued up the road. The map wasn't promising: there was no sign of any trail, and it showed that the road was a dead-end at a scenic overlook. However, the map also didn't show the Canyon Creek Trail, so I continued.
The mile markers went from three to four to five to...four!? It turned out the road wasn't a dead-end, it was a loop; there was no scenic overlook, and there also was no Sherman Creek Trail. At least not that I could see.
I went back to the Canyon Creek Trail and decided that it was my only option. I hiked it both directions--it turned out it returned to the Log Flume Trail when I went east, and it ended at the Canyon Creek Campground when I went west. Based on hiking time, I estimated that it was 2.5 miles.
Grand total for the day = 3 miles. I'm soooo far behind.
Once I crossed over the Columbia I started looking for places to hike. I was hoping I could find a trail on the Columbia itself, but nothing stood out on the map. I drove up to the Log Flume trail and ate a snack as I hiked the .5 mile interpretive loop.
After that I continued up the pass, and that's when I saw the bad sign--a huge sign that said "Sherman Creek Trail." I turned, hoping that I could get a few extra miles in. Immediately off the highway was another sign that said Canyon Creek Trail #93, a barrier free trail (paved) that was built by boy scout volunteers. I was sure that the Sherman Creek Trail would be longer than this trail, so I continued up the road. The map wasn't promising: there was no sign of any trail, and it showed that the road was a dead-end at a scenic overlook. However, the map also didn't show the Canyon Creek Trail, so I continued.
The mile markers went from three to four to five to...four!? It turned out the road wasn't a dead-end, it was a loop; there was no scenic overlook, and there also was no Sherman Creek Trail. At least not that I could see.
I went back to the Canyon Creek Trail and decided that it was my only option. I hiked it both directions--it turned out it returned to the Log Flume Trail when I went east, and it ended at the Canyon Creek Campground when I went west. Based on hiking time, I estimated that it was 2.5 miles.
Grand total for the day = 3 miles. I'm soooo far behind.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Still sick...
Julius Caesar, Act II, scene i:
Marcus Brutus: O, what a time you chose out, brave Caius, / To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
Caius Ligarius: [...]I here discard my sickness! [....] Now bid me run, / And I will strive with things impossible; / Yea, get the better of them.
If only I could discard my sickness! I tried to run, I tried to strive with things impossible, but they got the better of me instead. I returned to Mount Spokane this morning to attempt an easy trail run in the Nordic area. I was very quickly reduced to walking all but the downhill sections (and I even had to walk some of the downhills). My nailbeds turned bluish again, but at least my heart rate remained at 10-11 on a 6-second count (in the Wallowas I checked it one morning upon waking and it was at 15 on a 6-second count!). I'm going to have a lot of catching up to do once I'm over whatever this is. At least I still haven't needed a zero-mileage day.
Today's total: 3.9 miles
Marcus Brutus: O, what a time you chose out, brave Caius, / To wear a kerchief! Would you were not sick!
Caius Ligarius: [...]I here discard my sickness! [....] Now bid me run, / And I will strive with things impossible; / Yea, get the better of them.
If only I could discard my sickness! I tried to run, I tried to strive with things impossible, but they got the better of me instead. I returned to Mount Spokane this morning to attempt an easy trail run in the Nordic area. I was very quickly reduced to walking all but the downhill sections (and I even had to walk some of the downhills). My nailbeds turned bluish again, but at least my heart rate remained at 10-11 on a 6-second count (in the Wallowas I checked it one morning upon waking and it was at 15 on a 6-second count!). I'm going to have a lot of catching up to do once I'm over whatever this is. At least I still haven't needed a zero-mileage day.
Today's total: 3.9 miles
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Easy hike and cool find
I am determined to avoid a zero-mileage day this hike-a-thon, but I was still not feeling very well today. I decided I'd better not try the Mountaineers' Wednesday night hike, but I still wanted to go to Mount Spokane. I figured out a great way to make the hike easier, too! It's practically cheating, but I took both Kari and Blaze with me. I got out their skijor two-dog leash and clipped it to my hip belt on my backpack, and they practically pulled me up the big hill on trail 120A! Then I hiked out 120 for a mile, turned around to come back, and returned via 120B. And the cool find? Not long after I turned around I was coming around a switchback on the trail and noticed something bright-white on the downhill side. I debated not checking it out, but I'm glad I did in the end--I found a cool buck skull, antlers still attached! It's a 2x3. I didn't have the camera with me, so I had to wait until I got home to have Kari and Blaze pose with it for posterity.
Daily total: 3.2 miles (at least it's not zero!)
Daily total: 3.2 miles (at least it's not zero!)
It's started...slowly
Last spring I planned the trip that would start my hike-a-thon: a Wallowas backpack trip that I would co-lead for the Spokane Mountaineers. But no one signed up for the trip, and then my co-leader got an injury that would keep her at home, too. So I scrambled to salvage at least a portion of the trip.
Instead of the 95-mile route Deb and I had originally planned, I moved the trip to the Lakes Basin. Jeff agreed to join me for the weekend, but he had to be back to work on Monday...so I decided to go solo for the rest of the trip.
Everything started out well: Jeff and I left town late Friday morning and drove to the trailhead, and then hiked in 2-3 miles and camped along the East Fork Lostine River that night. We hiked to the lakes basin Saturday morning, set up one tent at Mirror Lake in order to stash our excess gear, and then took day packs to hike up Eagle Cap (9572'). There is still a lot of snow up there, and the trail to Horton Pass was pretty much entirely snow-covered. We kicked steps up to the pass, but the ridge was mostly snow-free and we were able to pick up the trail to Eagle Cap's summit. Then we hiked (and glissaded!) back down and picked up our gear in order to move camp to Moccasin Lake. On Sunday Jeff packed up to leave and I hiked with him as far as Carper Pass (around 8500'), then returned to Moccasin Lake, packed up, and started hiking to Glacier Lake--I wanted to wake up to Glacier Lake for my hike-a-thon start!
Things went downhill from there. I was feeling really, really tired by the time I got to Glacier Lake. The trail over Glacier Pass was between 50-75% snow-covered, so I had a hard hike up with a full pack. The pass is at about 8400', and the lake is at 8166'. I didn't know it at the time, but it turned out I had overdone it. A lot.
That night there was a huge thunder storm--probably the biggest storm I've camped through. Of course I couldn't sleep while that was going on, and then even when it ended I couldn't sleep: I had developed a hacking cough that kept me awake all night long.
Monday morning and the start of hike-a-thon found me feeling fairly miserable after a completely sleepless night. I even skipped the usual morning coffee in favor of three cups of tea. I thought I had come down with a cold (now I'm not so sure). I was supposed to hike out via Frazier Lake and the Wallowa River trail and move camp to Ice Lake (I have wanted to see this lake for years!), but I felt so awful that I decided it might be a better idea to just return to the lakes basin to camp and do a day hike if I felt better in the afternoon. I didn't feel better. In fact, it took me about three hours to do the three miles back to the lakes basin. I set up camp in a different spot at Moccasin Lake and took a two-hour afternoon nap in the shade. I still didn't feel like hiking when I woke up, and I started to suspect that something worse than a cold was wrong with me. I started drinking Pedialyte and decided to go to bed early (influenced by another approaching thunderstorm!).
I had no more than gotten into the tent when a very, very large group came up the trail and decided to camp right next to me! I hadn't seen anyone else all day long, I don't think there was anyone else camping at the entire lake, and these guys camped so close I could have tossed a rock and hit their tents (and I'm not a very good shot when it comes to tossing rocks). I counted at least 12 of them, and group size in the lakes basin is 6. Nice. The joke was on them, though. I had the same hacking cough all night long, and I'm sure they enjoyed listening to me.
It was Monday night when I realized that this was something worse than a cold. I began to suspect HAPE, which is weird considering that it isn't exactly super high altitude up there, but I did go from my house at about 2400' to over 6000' the first night, then hiked to 9572' and slept at 7473' the second night, then hiked to 8500', down to 7473', back up to 8400', and slept at 8166' when I first started to feel symptoms (and I talked to Jeff about this yesterday and he said I started coughing Saturday night--I hadn't even noticed it then). At any rate, all of my ideas about dayhikes were out the window following my second sleepless night. I needed to get back down instead. I got up at first light on Tuesday (it's not like I was sleeping, anyway!), packed up and hiked out.
The farther down I got, the better I felt, but I still needed frequent rest breaks. I just couldn't draw a full breath, and I still had the terrible cough. I went to Enterprise to pick up some cough medicine and drove home. My hike-a-thon starting mileage is terrible! I need to get lots of sleep and drink lots of water and try to get caught up!
There was good news waiting for me at home, though: I was on the wait-list for the Cutthroat Classic, and I got in! Now there's some incentive to start running more!
Stats:
Monday mileage--3.5 miles (parts of trails 1806 (Glacier Pass) and 1810A. Lakes visited: Glacier Lake, Moccasin Lake.
Tuesday mileage--9.3 miles (parts of trail 1810A and 1810 plus 1662. Lakes visited: Mirror Lake, Upper Lake. River visited: East Fork Lostine River.
Instead of the 95-mile route Deb and I had originally planned, I moved the trip to the Lakes Basin. Jeff agreed to join me for the weekend, but he had to be back to work on Monday...so I decided to go solo for the rest of the trip.
Everything started out well: Jeff and I left town late Friday morning and drove to the trailhead, and then hiked in 2-3 miles and camped along the East Fork Lostine River that night. We hiked to the lakes basin Saturday morning, set up one tent at Mirror Lake in order to stash our excess gear, and then took day packs to hike up Eagle Cap (9572'). There is still a lot of snow up there, and the trail to Horton Pass was pretty much entirely snow-covered. We kicked steps up to the pass, but the ridge was mostly snow-free and we were able to pick up the trail to Eagle Cap's summit. Then we hiked (and glissaded!) back down and picked up our gear in order to move camp to Moccasin Lake. On Sunday Jeff packed up to leave and I hiked with him as far as Carper Pass (around 8500'), then returned to Moccasin Lake, packed up, and started hiking to Glacier Lake--I wanted to wake up to Glacier Lake for my hike-a-thon start!
Things went downhill from there. I was feeling really, really tired by the time I got to Glacier Lake. The trail over Glacier Pass was between 50-75% snow-covered, so I had a hard hike up with a full pack. The pass is at about 8400', and the lake is at 8166'. I didn't know it at the time, but it turned out I had overdone it. A lot.
That night there was a huge thunder storm--probably the biggest storm I've camped through. Of course I couldn't sleep while that was going on, and then even when it ended I couldn't sleep: I had developed a hacking cough that kept me awake all night long.
Monday morning and the start of hike-a-thon found me feeling fairly miserable after a completely sleepless night. I even skipped the usual morning coffee in favor of three cups of tea. I thought I had come down with a cold (now I'm not so sure). I was supposed to hike out via Frazier Lake and the Wallowa River trail and move camp to Ice Lake (I have wanted to see this lake for years!), but I felt so awful that I decided it might be a better idea to just return to the lakes basin to camp and do a day hike if I felt better in the afternoon. I didn't feel better. In fact, it took me about three hours to do the three miles back to the lakes basin. I set up camp in a different spot at Moccasin Lake and took a two-hour afternoon nap in the shade. I still didn't feel like hiking when I woke up, and I started to suspect that something worse than a cold was wrong with me. I started drinking Pedialyte and decided to go to bed early (influenced by another approaching thunderstorm!).
I had no more than gotten into the tent when a very, very large group came up the trail and decided to camp right next to me! I hadn't seen anyone else all day long, I don't think there was anyone else camping at the entire lake, and these guys camped so close I could have tossed a rock and hit their tents (and I'm not a very good shot when it comes to tossing rocks). I counted at least 12 of them, and group size in the lakes basin is 6. Nice. The joke was on them, though. I had the same hacking cough all night long, and I'm sure they enjoyed listening to me.
It was Monday night when I realized that this was something worse than a cold. I began to suspect HAPE, which is weird considering that it isn't exactly super high altitude up there, but I did go from my house at about 2400' to over 6000' the first night, then hiked to 9572' and slept at 7473' the second night, then hiked to 8500', down to 7473', back up to 8400', and slept at 8166' when I first started to feel symptoms (and I talked to Jeff about this yesterday and he said I started coughing Saturday night--I hadn't even noticed it then). At any rate, all of my ideas about dayhikes were out the window following my second sleepless night. I needed to get back down instead. I got up at first light on Tuesday (it's not like I was sleeping, anyway!), packed up and hiked out.
The farther down I got, the better I felt, but I still needed frequent rest breaks. I just couldn't draw a full breath, and I still had the terrible cough. I went to Enterprise to pick up some cough medicine and drove home. My hike-a-thon starting mileage is terrible! I need to get lots of sleep and drink lots of water and try to get caught up!
There was good news waiting for me at home, though: I was on the wait-list for the Cutthroat Classic, and I got in! Now there's some incentive to start running more!
Stats:
Monday mileage--3.5 miles (parts of trails 1806 (Glacier Pass) and 1810A. Lakes visited: Glacier Lake, Moccasin Lake.
Tuesday mileage--9.3 miles (parts of trail 1810A and 1810 plus 1662. Lakes visited: Mirror Lake, Upper Lake. River visited: East Fork Lostine River.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Less than a week!
The Wallowa backpack trip keeps getting shorter and shorter, but at least I'm hopeful that I won't have to cancel. The 95-mile route to see the Minam Lodge and better understand a little family history (my aunt and uncle used to own it) is now on-hold until next year. I think I can at least get to the lakes basin for a 40-50 mile route. I'll have to figure out a few more long day hikes later to make up for lost mileage. That shouldn't be too much of a problem, as I have a vast collection of guidebooks with multiple bookmarks for dream trips. Anybody want to explore?
I am realizing that I'm still out of shape, however. I did an easy 8-miler on the roads yesterday, and an easy 5-miler at Mount Spokane this morning, and I am so sore! I'll have to mix my trail running with hiking, at least at the beginning, if I am to survive the nearly 11-mile per day average I'll need to reach 325 miles for the month of August. Well, if I managed 306 last year while injured, I'm sure I can tackle this while merely sore. So long as I don't end up re-injured! Now I just need more sponsors! Pretty please follow the link at the top and give the WTA some money for me! :)
I am realizing that I'm still out of shape, however. I did an easy 8-miler on the roads yesterday, and an easy 5-miler at Mount Spokane this morning, and I am so sore! I'll have to mix my trail running with hiking, at least at the beginning, if I am to survive the nearly 11-mile per day average I'll need to reach 325 miles for the month of August. Well, if I managed 306 last year while injured, I'm sure I can tackle this while merely sore. So long as I don't end up re-injured! Now I just need more sponsors! Pretty please follow the link at the top and give the WTA some money for me! :)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
July 17-23, 2011
I'm back from Camp Eureka where Jace & I led eight middle school and high school students on a week-long backpack trip. The first night was rough as we were attacked by mosquitoes that were completely immune to every variety of bug spray, but after that everything went fairly smoothly. I can hardly believe that an entire week has gone by.
I came home to some disapointing news, however. Deb is injured and now I'm doubtful about the chances of the cool Wallowa trip actually happening. It's part of Hike-a-Thon, so I really don't want to cancel, but I'm not sure I can find anyone else who's willing to do it & I don't know that I should do it solo. We had a 95.8 mile route planned, and it's hard to sell that to most people. :(
I came home to some disapointing news, however. Deb is injured and now I'm doubtful about the chances of the cool Wallowa trip actually happening. It's part of Hike-a-Thon, so I really don't want to cancel, but I'm not sure I can find anyone else who's willing to do it & I don't know that I should do it solo. We had a 95.8 mile route planned, and it's hard to sell that to most people. :(
Saturday, July 9, 2011
4th of July Weekend in the Wilderness
The plan: a July 1-5 hike from Phelps Creek to Spider Meadows to Spider Gap to Lyman Lakes to Image Lake to Buck Creek Pass to Trinity (loop). It would have been the fourth time I'd done it, the third time I'd done it on the 4th of July weekend, and the first time I'd done it by the recommended route.
The problem: so much snow! Patches within 1/2 mile of the trailhead turned into total coverage by mile two, and we found it three or four feet deep in Spider Meadows! It was good in the sense that we practically had Spider Meadows to ourselves Friday night (the only other camper was a forest service ranger)--how many people can say they found Spider Meadows devoid of campers on a holiday weekend!? However, we couldn't make it through Spider Gap on Saturday morning. It just felt a little too risky with the deep snow, steep route, and heavy packs. We decided to hike back out and pick a different hike.
The next problem: dead battery back at the trailhead. We camped out in the parking lot Saturday night. It is kinda picturesque, but I had to pitch my tent in between two parked cars--not exactly my favorite camping location. Fortunately, someone with jumper cables drove up early Sunday morning and we were able to continue the adventure!
How to pick a hike: I'm calling it Hiker's Roulette. We looked on the map and we looked through a guide book and we couldn't reach any decisions about the most likely looking backpack. So we picked a road off Highway 2 at random, drove to the trailhead at the end of it, and started hiking. It turns out it was a good choice! It was the Whitepine River Trail, which intersected the Wildhorse River Trail and eventually climbed to Frosty Pass (all in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area). There was a lot of downfall on the lower sections of the trail, and the upper section was very brushy, but otherwise it was a very nice trail with excellent views. We also didn't encounter snow until we were about seven miles in. Our campsite Sunday night had a tiny patch of snow that melted by the time we left on Tuesday.
Sunday: hike to camp, cook dinner. Then I went to hang the food bag and discovered a faint trail that we followed to a ridge with excellent views.
Monday: day hike from camp toward Frosty Pass. We didn't make it all the way to the Pass--we could see the approximate vicinity of the Pass, but the trail was completely snow-covered at that point. I saw one section that looked particually risky where a waterfall turned into a stream and disappeared under the snowpack. It might have been a place where one could fall through while trying to cross (and I did fall through in a few non-dangerous areas--once only one leg broke through the snow and it was so deep I couldn't touch the bottom!) We tried a side hike up to Lake Grace, but that proved farther than we had time for in all of that snow. I was able to maintain a Fourth of July tradition--glissading and snow angels!
Tuesday: hike out and return home--tired and dirty and happy!
The problem: so much snow! Patches within 1/2 mile of the trailhead turned into total coverage by mile two, and we found it three or four feet deep in Spider Meadows! It was good in the sense that we practically had Spider Meadows to ourselves Friday night (the only other camper was a forest service ranger)--how many people can say they found Spider Meadows devoid of campers on a holiday weekend!? However, we couldn't make it through Spider Gap on Saturday morning. It just felt a little too risky with the deep snow, steep route, and heavy packs. We decided to hike back out and pick a different hike.
The next problem: dead battery back at the trailhead. We camped out in the parking lot Saturday night. It is kinda picturesque, but I had to pitch my tent in between two parked cars--not exactly my favorite camping location. Fortunately, someone with jumper cables drove up early Sunday morning and we were able to continue the adventure!
How to pick a hike: I'm calling it Hiker's Roulette. We looked on the map and we looked through a guide book and we couldn't reach any decisions about the most likely looking backpack. So we picked a road off Highway 2 at random, drove to the trailhead at the end of it, and started hiking. It turns out it was a good choice! It was the Whitepine River Trail, which intersected the Wildhorse River Trail and eventually climbed to Frosty Pass (all in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area). There was a lot of downfall on the lower sections of the trail, and the upper section was very brushy, but otherwise it was a very nice trail with excellent views. We also didn't encounter snow until we were about seven miles in. Our campsite Sunday night had a tiny patch of snow that melted by the time we left on Tuesday.
Sunday: hike to camp, cook dinner. Then I went to hang the food bag and discovered a faint trail that we followed to a ridge with excellent views.
Monday: day hike from camp toward Frosty Pass. We didn't make it all the way to the Pass--we could see the approximate vicinity of the Pass, but the trail was completely snow-covered at that point. I saw one section that looked particually risky where a waterfall turned into a stream and disappeared under the snowpack. It might have been a place where one could fall through while trying to cross (and I did fall through in a few non-dangerous areas--once only one leg broke through the snow and it was so deep I couldn't touch the bottom!) We tried a side hike up to Lake Grace, but that proved farther than we had time for in all of that snow. I was able to maintain a Fourth of July tradition--glissading and snow angels!
Tuesday: hike out and return home--tired and dirty and happy!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
It's Time!
Registration for Hike-a-Thon opened today! I'm all signed up! I also see I'm very far behind when it comes to updating this blog. That's what grading assignments for 152 students will do to a person's free time. Well, it's summer now, so I'm sure I'll have time to work on updates as soon as I'm back from my next backpacking trip. In the meantime, here's a mini-update:
- The past--I didn't have much time to hike during the school year, and the weather has been pretty lousy this spring. There is still a lot of snow in the high country. I did manage to find quite a few morels on my usual spring forays up in Stevens County. I estimate I found around 20 pounds this year--maybe more, because I gave quite a few to my relatives before I even came home. Things have been pretty since school got out, too, but I did manage to escape town last weekend for a Conservation Northwest hike on Saturday and a solo hike on Sunday. I co-led the Thirteen-Mile Trail hike to an awesome roadless area that's up for possible inclusion in a Columbia Highlands wilderness bill. I camped at Jungle Hill that night (the only person there on a Saturday night!) and hiked Emerald Lake from the Trout Lake TH on Sunday. It was the first time I'd done either trail (I've hiked Emerald Lake several times before, but always from the Deadman Creek side).
- The future--I have several upcoming trips to look forward to. I'm backing in the Glacier Peak Wilderness first, then I'm co-leading a week-long backpack trip for high school students in mid-July, and at the end of July I have a week-long backpack planned for the Wallowas. That trip will carry over into the start of August and Hike-a-Thon, so I'll be trying to get a lot of miles in. We are also planning a repeat of the Cake Walk (the entire Kettle Crest in a day). I also have trips planned to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the Pasaytan, and I'm sure I'll revisit the Salmo Priest a few times during August. It should be a fantastic summer!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
March 16, 2011
Tonight was the public meeting for the proposed ski area expansion on Mount Spokane. The meeting was at SFCC, and I arrived early so that I could go running on one of my favorite loops out at the Falls. I went down nurses' hill and took the lower trail along the river all the way out to where it meets the rock trail and then back to campus. I found wild onions along the river, and on the rock trail the buttercups were blooming! These were the first wildflowers I have seen this spring! (As a side note, I shared my sighting with a couple of my classes the next day. My students didn't know what buttercups were. I was shocked (they are high school students,after all)! I said something about how they are one of the most common wildflowers in our area, and one student's response was "Well, they don't grow in my yard." Apparently these kids never get farther outside than their own backyards. Soooooooo sad. I wish I could teach a naturalist class complete with field trips to the Dishman Hills, Riverside, and Mount Spokane.)
The meeting was interesting. I'm still not sure how this whole thing is going to turn out. Apparently Pacific Biodiversity Institute found approximately 80 acres of old growth forest (trees aged 150+ years) within the 300 acre proposed expansion area. The maps show that the majority of it is at the base and along the side of the proposed new lift. The ski area is also quoted as saying that they believe the new lift will serve between 500-800 additional skiers. The parking lot and lodge can't really handle the current number of skiers on a busy weekend. I'm also frustrated by all of the misinformation that Mt. Spokane 2000 has been putting out in the news media. They claim the land was donated to parks specifically for a ski area. In fact, local conservationists raised $1500 during the Depression in order to protect the trees in that area (read this: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7819). They also claim that they are merely replacing a chairlift that used to be in this same general location. There was never a chairlift there.
In yesterday's newspaper a letter to the editor called the expansion opposition "armchair elitists." It implied that we were a bunch of people who like the theory of preservation without the actuality of visiting the area. Ah, the stuff that guy doesn't realize. I alpine ski there, I Nordic ski there, I snowshoe there, I hike there, I run there (well, not so much off-trail running in the PASEA, but I run through on 135), and I pick huckleberries there. I wonder how many of the proponents have been back there. Chris pointed out that that's truly the difference between the advocates and the opponents--those in favor merely Alpine ski on the mountain. It's the year-round, multi-sport enthusiasts who are adamantly against development on the backside. Well, year-round, multi-sport enthusiasts plus the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (quote from the agency: "The native mature forest habitat on the northern aspect of Mt. Spokane is an extremely unique forest ecosystem with a high value for wildlife and species biodiversity. Considering its size, its un-fragmented condition along with its stage of forest succession and structure, a similar forest could not be found anywhere else in Spokane county nor replicated [....] WDFW is opposed to the Potential Alpine Ski Expansion Area (PASEA) proposal due to the unavoidable and extensive impacts to wildlife habitat and wildlife species[....]" (WDFW letter dated January 29, 2007). That should stand for something, too.
I think the State Parks' Mission Statement and Core Values makes if pretty clear what should happen. Let's hope the Parks Commission shares my of interpretation of "stewardship that transmits high quality park assets to future generations".
The meeting was interesting. I'm still not sure how this whole thing is going to turn out. Apparently Pacific Biodiversity Institute found approximately 80 acres of old growth forest (trees aged 150+ years) within the 300 acre proposed expansion area. The maps show that the majority of it is at the base and along the side of the proposed new lift. The ski area is also quoted as saying that they believe the new lift will serve between 500-800 additional skiers. The parking lot and lodge can't really handle the current number of skiers on a busy weekend. I'm also frustrated by all of the misinformation that Mt. Spokane 2000 has been putting out in the news media. They claim the land was donated to parks specifically for a ski area. In fact, local conservationists raised $1500 during the Depression in order to protect the trees in that area (read this: http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7819). They also claim that they are merely replacing a chairlift that used to be in this same general location. There was never a chairlift there.
In yesterday's newspaper a letter to the editor called the expansion opposition "armchair elitists." It implied that we were a bunch of people who like the theory of preservation without the actuality of visiting the area. Ah, the stuff that guy doesn't realize. I alpine ski there, I Nordic ski there, I snowshoe there, I hike there, I run there (well, not so much off-trail running in the PASEA, but I run through on 135), and I pick huckleberries there. I wonder how many of the proponents have been back there. Chris pointed out that that's truly the difference between the advocates and the opponents--those in favor merely Alpine ski on the mountain. It's the year-round, multi-sport enthusiasts who are adamantly against development on the backside. Well, year-round, multi-sport enthusiasts plus the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (quote from the agency: "The native mature forest habitat on the northern aspect of Mt. Spokane is an extremely unique forest ecosystem with a high value for wildlife and species biodiversity. Considering its size, its un-fragmented condition along with its stage of forest succession and structure, a similar forest could not be found anywhere else in Spokane county nor replicated [....] WDFW is opposed to the Potential Alpine Ski Expansion Area (PASEA) proposal due to the unavoidable and extensive impacts to wildlife habitat and wildlife species[....]" (WDFW letter dated January 29, 2007). That should stand for something, too.
I think the State Parks' Mission Statement and Core Values makes if pretty clear what should happen. Let's hope the Parks Commission shares my of interpretation of "stewardship that transmits high quality park assets to future generations".
March 13, 2011
Diana organized a skijor demo day at Mount Spokane today. I brought both Kari and Blaze, and met several non-skijor people who wanted to try the sport for the first time. The first two people were on classic skis. I let them each take a dog first, and even with only one dog apiece it was pretty tough to stay in front of them with the dogs. On the way back to the starting point they took turns with both dogs. I couldn't keep up! It was pretty funny. After that Blaze was pretty much done for the day. The poor dog is such a wimp. I don't think he liked the fact that I was letting strangers ski with him; he kept trying to climb into my arms as if he was a little puppy. Of course, he's not a little puppy, so now I'm covered in bruises. Kari seemed a little nervous, too, but she was still willing to get into her harness and pull, so I let the last lady take Kari while I worked with Blaze. It's so much fun to see a person who has never tried it before take off for the first time--everybody seemed very surprised at how fast the dogs are. I think we got a few converts to the sport today!
March 5, 2011
Today was the annual Paws and Poles race at 49 Degrees North's Nordic area. I took Kari and competed in the skijor race (they also have a snowshoe race--one of these years I should try it). Kari did great, despite being nine years old now. In fact, if she hadn't been attached to such a slow human, she would have won. As it was, we were just barely second place to Deb Bauer and her dog, and she happens to be about the fastest local skier I can think of. Not bad at all.
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