Once August and Hike-a-Thon ended, my life, as usual, became a whirlwind of work and coaching. I can't believe that it's nearly the end of 2011! I guess it's about time I update this thing with the highlights of the last few months.
First, an update on Hike-a-Thon! Despite everything that got in the way of my mileage goal, I still ended up with my second-highest monthly mileage, and it was good enough for a repeat performance for highest H-A-T mileage (full discloser: one of the WTA board members did well over 300 miles, but as a board member she doesn't qualify to win the category). My H-A-T mileage got me into good enough shape that I was able to run some decent times in a few 5ks during the cross season.
Speaking of the cross season, it was fabulous this year! The girls set some lofty goals for themselves. They fell short on getting the whole varsity team to the regional meet, but they did qualify five individuals (and I could have a separate blog post on the unfairness of having five athletes in a race but not being able to score as a team). Three of the five qualified to state! It was the first time since I became head coach that we had anyone at state, so to have three was fantastic. It has also made EVERYONE even more determined to get there as a team next year. Four team members went on to compete in the Footlocker race in California, so the cross country season extended all the way into December this year!
Even though the girls were still training, I had my weekends back starting in early November. I haven't been able to get out of town quite as often as I would like, but I have managed a couple of overnight trips to the Colville National Forest, including one December backpack trip to 13-mile. That one made me realize that I had lost all of the conditioning from Hike-a-Thon--I had a 45-50 pound pack and we only went in about four miles, but I was dying!
The ski season has also gotten off to a good start, although snow totals have been disappointing. I haven't been out on my AT skis or my new skate skis yet because I'm afraid there are still too many exposed rocks, but I have been on my older skate and Nordic skis quite a few times and that has been great. Blaze has been out skijoring with me twice, and I have done one snowshoe hike to the summit of Mount Spokane. I have also been doing quite a few trail runs--mainly up Antoine Peak, but a couple at Iller Creek as well.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
August 31, 2011--Where did my August go? Somewhere over the rainbow!
I had lots of big plans for today--too many plans, really. And mother nature had a few plans of her own!
What I did manage to do was hold today's cross country practice at Iller Creek. I have turned the majority of the team into dedicated trail runners. When I said we were going to the top, the girls cheered! That's a tough run, so I'm thrilled that they love it so much. In fact, several of the girls who were just introduced to the trail in the past year through cross country practice have told me that they have returned with their families in order to share it with them, too. One girl told me that when she took her mom, her mom couldn't believe that Iller Creek was public property (and so close to home!).
After the run I had a few errands to take care of, and then I intended to either go to Coeur d'Alene or Mount Spokane for another hike. In fact, I already had my day pack stocked with lunch, snacks and water and it was in the back of the car, ready for anything. Then I came out of a store to a downpour. There seemed to be a break in it, but I decided to hang out in the garden for awhile just in case. I got distracted by my veggies and spent a couple hours harvesting things (until I had about 50 pounds-worth in the wheelbarrow!). By then the storm clouds were moving in and it looked like a thunder storm was on the way. I decided that perhaps my knees had had enough. I started hike-a-thon by camping in the biggest thunderstorm ever in the Wallowas, and I ended hike-a-thon by watching a relatively tame thunderstorm from the comfort of home. Mother nature even rewarded me with a gorgeous double rainbow in my front yard:
So I fell a little short on my mileage goals...okay, a lot short. But hey, rainbows are there to remind us that things will be better in the future, right? Next year I'll hike more (and avoid illness and hopefully funerals!). Besides, Hike-a-Thon is really about the fundraising, and that has gone better than I could have possibly imagined! Donations are still coming in, and I have far surpassed my original goal! I'm calling this H-A-T a huge success!
Total mileage = 5.5
Hike-a-Thon 2011 grand total = 252.8!!!
What I did manage to do was hold today's cross country practice at Iller Creek. I have turned the majority of the team into dedicated trail runners. When I said we were going to the top, the girls cheered! That's a tough run, so I'm thrilled that they love it so much. In fact, several of the girls who were just introduced to the trail in the past year through cross country practice have told me that they have returned with their families in order to share it with them, too. One girl told me that when she took her mom, her mom couldn't believe that Iller Creek was public property (and so close to home!).
After the run I had a few errands to take care of, and then I intended to either go to Coeur d'Alene or Mount Spokane for another hike. In fact, I already had my day pack stocked with lunch, snacks and water and it was in the back of the car, ready for anything. Then I came out of a store to a downpour. There seemed to be a break in it, but I decided to hang out in the garden for awhile just in case. I got distracted by my veggies and spent a couple hours harvesting things (until I had about 50 pounds-worth in the wheelbarrow!). By then the storm clouds were moving in and it looked like a thunder storm was on the way. I decided that perhaps my knees had had enough. I started hike-a-thon by camping in the biggest thunderstorm ever in the Wallowas, and I ended hike-a-thon by watching a relatively tame thunderstorm from the comfort of home. Mother nature even rewarded me with a gorgeous double rainbow in my front yard:
Total mileage = 5.5
Hike-a-Thon 2011 grand total = 252.8!!!
August 30, 2011--getting back to work
I had an all-day meeting with the 10th grade GVC team in my district today, and cross country practice was scheduled to begin as soon as the meeting ended. Since the cross country team had a hard workout at the school, I knew that my only chance to get in some miles would be during our lunch break at the meeting. The meeting was at district office and the Centennial Trail is nearby, so I drove to the Barker Road trailhead and ran 4 miles out-and-back, and then returned with just enough time to scarf down my lunch before we got back to work. I wish I had hour-long lunch breaks during the school year!
Total Mileage = 4
River visited = Spokane River (3rd visit for H-A-T)
Total Mileage = 4
River visited = Spokane River (3rd visit for H-A-T)
Friday, September 2, 2011
August 29, 2011--back to civilization
Today I hiked back out, adding huckleberries to my water bottle as I went. I was a little disappointed that I didn't see a bear along the way; I'm pretty sure yesterday's large animal was a bear, but I haven't actually seen one at all this summer. By this time last year I'd seen several.
I returned to the car and drove down to Mill Pond and hiked a short section of the Mill Pond Interpretive Loop. I didn't hike the whole thing this time; instead I tried to fish a little. I didn't have any luck.
After that I made a stop at Sweet Creek and hiked the trail there--and saw the funniest trail sign ever:
It was, of course, a perfectly manicured trail. It was paved up to that point, and when it changed to gravel it became dangerous. I wonder what the sign makers would have said about the Shedroof Divide?
Mileage = 8.5
I returned to the car and drove down to Mill Pond and hiked a short section of the Mill Pond Interpretive Loop. I didn't hike the whole thing this time; instead I tried to fish a little. I didn't have any luck.
After that I made a stop at Sweet Creek and hiked the trail there--and saw the funniest trail sign ever:
It was, of course, a perfectly manicured trail. It was paved up to that point, and when it changed to gravel it became dangerous. I wonder what the sign makers would have said about the Shedroof Divide?
Mileage = 8.5
August 28, 2011--Salmo Priest Wilderness and solo backpacking!
I left home super early to return to the Salmo Priest and hike the Shedroof Divide. I had an ambitious plan to hike in about 17 miles, spend the night, and then hike out the next day. The problem was, I was tired. Really, really tired. So tired I wanted to take a nap alongside the trail when I stopped for lunch. Well, I'm used to modified plans at this point--so that's what I did.
I hiked as far as the intersection with the Thunder Creek Trail and scouted a campsite near that intersection and the intersection with the Jackson Creek Trail. I set up the tent, stashed all of my overnight gear, and set off to hike the Jackson Mountain Trail--according to the sign it was only 3.5 miles to the Jackson Mountain Lookout. Unfortunately, it was only .25 miles until the trail completely disappeared in the underbrush. I returned to my campsite and took the Jackson Creek Trail instead. This trail had been cleared recently--within the last week, I'd guess. However, it was fairly evident that whoever cleared it used a chainsaw. Even the small logs that had been cut had sawdust only on one side of the cut and 2-3' back from the log. Crosscuts and bow-saws just don't cut like that.
So it was nice that the trail had been cleared, but I was angry that whoever did it wasn't following wilderness rules. The Jackson Creek Trail is really nice, though. It passed through some great huckleberry patches (I ate so many berries I'm surprised I wasn't sick!) and then slowly descended into a gorgeous cedar forest. It was overgrown with thimbleberries on the upper portion, and there were a few wet areas with drainage problems, but otherwise it was a great trail. I'm not sure if I hiked far enough to cross into Idaho or not (I haven't had any luck finding trail info online or in guide books), but I know that the trail ends at Hughes Meadows in Idaho; I found an old USGS survey marker that dated to 1912 but it didn't have state names on it.
Based on hiking time, I estimate I turned around after five miles. When I passed the good huckleberry patches on the way back up I decided to fill my empty water bottle instead of just eating them on the spot. As I got to the best patch I could hear a very large animal that was concealed in the thick bushes. I talked to it and talked to it, and it continued to rustle the bushes and not pay any attention to me...until suddenly it became aware of my presence and ran off. I'm pretty sure it was a bear, but there's no way to know for sure. At any rate, I decided I'd better skip that huckleberry patch and get back to my tent. I made sure I cooked my dinner and hung my bag of food a long way from my tent as the good huckleberry patch was actually pretty close to where I was camping.
Mileage = 17.1
I hiked as far as the intersection with the Thunder Creek Trail and scouted a campsite near that intersection and the intersection with the Jackson Creek Trail. I set up the tent, stashed all of my overnight gear, and set off to hike the Jackson Mountain Trail--according to the sign it was only 3.5 miles to the Jackson Mountain Lookout. Unfortunately, it was only .25 miles until the trail completely disappeared in the underbrush. I returned to my campsite and took the Jackson Creek Trail instead. This trail had been cleared recently--within the last week, I'd guess. However, it was fairly evident that whoever cleared it used a chainsaw. Even the small logs that had been cut had sawdust only on one side of the cut and 2-3' back from the log. Crosscuts and bow-saws just don't cut like that.
So it was nice that the trail had been cleared, but I was angry that whoever did it wasn't following wilderness rules. The Jackson Creek Trail is really nice, though. It passed through some great huckleberry patches (I ate so many berries I'm surprised I wasn't sick!) and then slowly descended into a gorgeous cedar forest. It was overgrown with thimbleberries on the upper portion, and there were a few wet areas with drainage problems, but otherwise it was a great trail. I'm not sure if I hiked far enough to cross into Idaho or not (I haven't had any luck finding trail info online or in guide books), but I know that the trail ends at Hughes Meadows in Idaho; I found an old USGS survey marker that dated to 1912 but it didn't have state names on it.
Based on hiking time, I estimate I turned around after five miles. When I passed the good huckleberry patches on the way back up I decided to fill my empty water bottle instead of just eating them on the spot. As I got to the best patch I could hear a very large animal that was concealed in the thick bushes. I talked to it and talked to it, and it continued to rustle the bushes and not pay any attention to me...until suddenly it became aware of my presence and ran off. I'm pretty sure it was a bear, but there's no way to know for sure. At any rate, I decided I'd better skip that huckleberry patch and get back to my tent. I made sure I cooked my dinner and hung my bag of food a long way from my tent as the good huckleberry patch was actually pretty close to where I was camping.
Mileage = 17.1
Saturday, August 27, 2011
You Knothead!
Instead of Cutthroat, a funeral. I still had time for a morning run, however. It's no spectacular 11-mile trail race, but the Little Spokane River Natural Area is still a nice place for a run. I started at Indian Painted Rocks, where the trail parallels the Little Spokane River for 1.7 miles. From there, it crosses a paved road or driveway (I'm not sure which), and then it's 5.7 miles back to the trailhead on the Knothead Trail. Before today I did not know that was the name of the trail, but somehow it seems fitting for me! (Just ask my mom. She'd second that.) It has been a long time since I have done this loop, and I've never done it in this direction. It was very nice! I also saw the Shadle CC team at the trailhead--none of the girls ever caught me, so they must have been doing an out-and-back on the lower trail.
Today's mileage = 7.4
River visited = Little Spokane River
Today's mileage = 7.4
River visited = Little Spokane River
Friday, August 26, 2011
Eat & Run!
I only did a half mile with the team before their workout in the Dishman Hills this morning. I should have done more after the girls were done, but we had potluck snacks after practice today and I ate too much! We had soooo much food!
I had to plan an afternoon run instead, plus I had to do some work in my poor neglected garden. I picked so much fruit and so many veggies this afternoon that I had to get the wheelbarrow to bring it up from the garden! Once I got it into the house I got ready for my run on Mount Spokane--I started at the bottom of 110 just inside the park enterance and ran up to trail 100, took that all the way across to the old 115 intersection, and then returned via the same route. It was 5.6 miles total. I was running slow today, though--I could actually hear my knees creaking while I ran. Needless to say, I'm spending some quality time with the ice packs tonight!
Total mileage = 6.1
I had to plan an afternoon run instead, plus I had to do some work in my poor neglected garden. I picked so much fruit and so many veggies this afternoon that I had to get the wheelbarrow to bring it up from the garden! Once I got it into the house I got ready for my run on Mount Spokane--I started at the bottom of 110 just inside the park enterance and ran up to trail 100, took that all the way across to the old 115 intersection, and then returned via the same route. It was 5.6 miles total. I was running slow today, though--I could actually hear my knees creaking while I ran. Needless to say, I'm spending some quality time with the ice packs tonight!
Total mileage = 6.1
Thursday, August 25, 2011
I got in my first trail mile of the day after cross country practice this morning. The team has a hard workout at Camp Caro tomorrow, and I went to measure part of the route today. I took both the Main Trail and the East/West Pond Trail as I wheeled out our route for a total distance of one mile, all in my sandals.
The afternoon was better, but it was also so hot! I had to be at the GSL coaches meeting at 5:30, so I timed my errands so that I could run at 4pm, be done by 5pm, and still make the meeting on time. I went out to Bowl & Pitcher in Riverside State Park and did an out-and-back on trail 25. I wanted to do my favorite loop, but I feared that it was too hot on the exposed bluff and that I wouldn't have enough time to finish it without being late to the meeting. The lower trail stays fairly close to the river, so it was nice and cool except out on the burned portion (in some places I think there must be underground streams entering the river--there were spots along the trail that were downright chilly). The run was 5 miles.
Total mileage = 6 miles
The afternoon was better, but it was also so hot! I had to be at the GSL coaches meeting at 5:30, so I timed my errands so that I could run at 4pm, be done by 5pm, and still make the meeting on time. I went out to Bowl & Pitcher in Riverside State Park and did an out-and-back on trail 25. I wanted to do my favorite loop, but I feared that it was too hot on the exposed bluff and that I wouldn't have enough time to finish it without being late to the meeting. The lower trail stays fairly close to the river, so it was nice and cool except out on the burned portion (in some places I think there must be underground streams entering the river--there were spots along the trail that were downright chilly). The run was 5 miles.
Total mileage = 6 miles
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Liberty Creek Falls Loop with the team
Every year the team finishes our campout with a trailrun to Liberty Creek Falls. Some of the girls turn back there for a 10k run, but the varsity continues all the way up to the boy scout cabin and then completes the loop by running down the Edith Hanson Bridal Trail on the other side. The girls ran great today! Many of them absolutely love trails now, and they are getting to be so tough on the hills that I can't keep up with several of them anymore! In fact, we realized that of our three sophomores running with the front pack today, only one of them made it as far as the waterfall last year; the other two turned back at the cedar grove. This year, all three beat me back after completing the entire loop!
Mileage = 7.5
Mileage = 7.5
Tuesday, August 23, 2011: Campout with the CC team!
Today we went on the annual team campout at Liberty Lake County Park. My morning mileage with the team was not on named trails, but for our afternoon run we did an out and back on the Edith Hansen Bridal Trail.
Mileage = 3.5
Lake visited = Liberty Lake
Mileage = 3.5
Lake visited = Liberty Lake
Monday, August 22, 2011: Cross country starts and finding time to hike gets tough
Day one for the 2011 cross country season! We had practice at 8am and we had to shop for the team campout immediately after practice. I didn't make it home until nearly 3pm, and I'd only had a couple of energy bars and a granola bar for lunch. I ate some peanut butter and took off for Mount Spokane to get in a short run--I'm still determined to avoid a zero-mileage day! I started at the park entrance and ran up trail 110 and did the short trail 100 loop before returning to the car.
I also found out that the funeral is set for Saturday. No Cutthroat Classic for me after all. I was feeling ready, too! Next year...
Mileage = 4.2
I also found out that the funeral is set for Saturday. No Cutthroat Classic for me after all. I was feeling ready, too! Next year...
Mileage = 4.2
Sunday, August 21, 2011--running & huckleberries
Today I returned to the mountain for a morning trailrun and to get the huckleberries I spotted yesterday. For the run I started at the hairpin turn and took trail 100 up and then out to Smith Gap, and then followed the Mount Kit Carson Loop back to the car. After that I returned to the snowmobile snopark lot and hiked up trail 130 and followed it out to the alpine area to get huckleberries. I got about a gallon today.
In the evening I got some bad news, however. My grandmother passed away today.
Mileage = 3.5 for the run & 3.7 for the hike; 7.2 total
In the evening I got some bad news, however. My grandmother passed away today.
Mileage = 3.5 for the run & 3.7 for the hike; 7.2 total
Saturday, August 20, 2011: Around the Mountain
I returned to Mount Spokane for the "Around the Mountain" loop today. My favorite way to approach this is to start at the snowmobile SnoPark lot and take 130 up to B-29 trail, out to Bald Knob, out past the CCC cabin, and then down the hill on the Kit Carson Loop Trail. I take that until I reach the next 130 intersection (also known as the chair four road) and take that all the around the mountain--past chair four in the Alpine ski area and around to chair three. This time I took the cat track back to chair one and then just hiked back out along the road--it was a hot day and I was tired, so I decided to just walk the last part. I took two water bottles and drained them both today! I was also scouting for huckleberries--and I found them!
Mileage = 11.3
Mileage = 11.3
Friday, August 19, 2011
Mill Butte run & Frater Lake hike
Today I decided to explore the Little Pend Oreille Lakes area. As usual, I started out a little later than I intended and made quite a few stops along the way. I bought some more books even though I swore I wouldn't (I can't help myself!). I also saw a crosscut saw that I didn't buy, but I'm considering going back and getting it...on the one hand, I don't need another one, but on the other hand, it's hard to find one that isn't all rusty or has broken teeth. This one looked good...so.
For the run I went to Mill Butte. I think this trail was built by the WTA, and I wanted to check it out. It's a very nice loop run and the trail is in great shape, although it obviously doesn't get a lot of use. Most trails in this area are motorized, and most people in this area don't seem too inclined to go on foot on the few trails that aren't open to motorized use. There were a few places where I could see footprints, but there are also a lot of plants coming up on the trail tread. I ran the trail counter-clockwise and towards the end I discovered the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge Rubbish Heap. It looked like it was mostly old trash, and a lot of it would be recyclable--there were a lot of glass bottles and old metal. I can't believe that they have never cleaned it up!
After that I continued east and tried to find more trails that were closed to motorized traffic. They proved hard to come by. I did the short stop at Crystal Falls State Park (on the Little Pend Oreille River), and then I finally ended up on the Nordic trails by Frater Lake and did a loop around the lake. Afterwards I went fishing! I purchased a fishing license in late June or early July, and today was the first time I actually used it! Not that I caught anything, of course. The fish were jumping, too, but I forgot to make sure I had bait in my tackle box and there weren't any grasshoppers near where I was casting.
Mileage = 4.5 for the run & the short hike to the falls; 3 for the hike--grand total of 7.6 miles
River visited: Little Pend Oreille River
Lake visited: Frater Lake
For the run I went to Mill Butte. I think this trail was built by the WTA, and I wanted to check it out. It's a very nice loop run and the trail is in great shape, although it obviously doesn't get a lot of use. Most trails in this area are motorized, and most people in this area don't seem too inclined to go on foot on the few trails that aren't open to motorized use. There were a few places where I could see footprints, but there are also a lot of plants coming up on the trail tread. I ran the trail counter-clockwise and towards the end I discovered the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge Rubbish Heap. It looked like it was mostly old trash, and a lot of it would be recyclable--there were a lot of glass bottles and old metal. I can't believe that they have never cleaned it up!
After that I continued east and tried to find more trails that were closed to motorized traffic. They proved hard to come by. I did the short stop at Crystal Falls State Park (on the Little Pend Oreille River), and then I finally ended up on the Nordic trails by Frater Lake and did a loop around the lake. Afterwards I went fishing! I purchased a fishing license in late June or early July, and today was the first time I actually used it! Not that I caught anything, of course. The fish were jumping, too, but I forgot to make sure I had bait in my tackle box and there weren't any grasshoppers near where I was casting.
Mileage = 4.5 for the run & the short hike to the falls; 3 for the hike--grand total of 7.6 miles
River visited: Little Pend Oreille River
Lake visited: Frater Lake
Thursday, August 18, 2011
All is for the best in this best of all possible worlds?
That's right, I spent a good part of the day tending to my garden. Tending to my yard isn't going to be quite as much fun anymore, however; I discovered that someone has stolen my cool old wooden reel mower. :( My uncle fixed it up and gave it to me so that I could save gas, save the environment, and get a workout while mowing (I loved to push it while running back and forth across my little strip of grass). Now it's gone.
And someone broke into my basement, too. I discovered that when I turned out the lights to go to bed last night--there was a sliver of light on my back lawn. I investigated and found the basement door ajar and the light on. The door was still locked, but open. Freaky.
And then two nights ago I found the strange vehicle parked near my house, the woman inside claiming she "lived just down the road" and was "just hanging out, is that okay?" I replied that it made me nervous when people "just hang out" by my house at 10:30pm and I'd rather she went elsewhere. She complied; perhaps it was innocent and unrelated, but now I wonder. I'm getting photos of all strange vehicles in the future (I went out to get the license plate number, not realizing there was anyone inside; when she got out, I didn't get the number. Next time, photo.).
At any rate, after all of that stress and my shattered sense of neighborhood safety, I needed a good run tonight. I returned to Mount Spokane, parked at the switchback lot, and ran up 110 to the Mt. Kit Carson Loop and took that all the way back to the trailhead. It felt pretty good until the last 1/2 mile when I got a bit of a twinge in my left calf. I decided I'd better play it safe and walk the rest of the way back.
Mileage = 7.6
And someone broke into my basement, too. I discovered that when I turned out the lights to go to bed last night--there was a sliver of light on my back lawn. I investigated and found the basement door ajar and the light on. The door was still locked, but open. Freaky.
And then two nights ago I found the strange vehicle parked near my house, the woman inside claiming she "lived just down the road" and was "just hanging out, is that okay?" I replied that it made me nervous when people "just hang out" by my house at 10:30pm and I'd rather she went elsewhere. She complied; perhaps it was innocent and unrelated, but now I wonder. I'm getting photos of all strange vehicles in the future (I went out to get the license plate number, not realizing there was anyone inside; when she got out, I didn't get the number. Next time, photo.).
At any rate, after all of that stress and my shattered sense of neighborhood safety, I needed a good run tonight. I returned to Mount Spokane, parked at the switchback lot, and ran up 110 to the Mt. Kit Carson Loop and took that all the way back to the trailhead. It felt pretty good until the last 1/2 mile when I got a bit of a twinge in my left calf. I decided I'd better play it safe and walk the rest of the way back.
Mileage = 7.6
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Purple palms!
I had every good intention of getting up early, going for a trail run, and then going for huckleberries. Really I did. It's just that I was sooooo sore when I woke up! Instead, I enjoyed the sunrise over Spirit Lake (gorgeous!) and then went back to sleep. When I finally got up (nearly 7am; the sun was up and I was roasting in the sleeping bag and bivy sack) I opted for the coffee rather than the run, and then I hiked out on the Nordic trails to find the good huckleberries. I didn't return to the chalet until nearly 3pm, and I now have somewhere around a gallon of fresh huckleberries. Time to get out the pancake mix!
Trails hiked = Mountain View, Alpine, Lodgepole, Shady Way, Twin Lakes, Buckland; return via Twin Lakes, Raven Glide, Hemlock, Sam's Swoop, & Bear Grass.
Hint = the best huckleberries were on Twin Lakes and Buckland :)
Mileage = 6.3
Trails hiked = Mountain View, Alpine, Lodgepole, Shady Way, Twin Lakes, Buckland; return via Twin Lakes, Raven Glide, Hemlock, Sam's Swoop, & Bear Grass.
Hint = the best huckleberries were on Twin Lakes and Buckland :)
Mileage = 6.3
August 17, 2011: Trail run + huckleberry hike
Today I decided to go to the chalet for a trailrun followed by a huckleberry hunt followed by stargazing from the deck. For the run I left the chalet and ran up 130 past Bald Knob, out to the CCC cabin, & then down to the big intersection with 110, 135, 140 & 170. I took a run intermission to check out the huckleberry crop on 110 and 135 (1/2 mile of walking but the berries were all still green). Then I continued the run up 170 to the summit of Mt. Kit Carson, took 130 across to the saddle between Kit Carson and Day, and then returned via 130.
When I got back to the chalet I ate dinner and then headed over to the Nordic area to find some huckleberries. I picked about a quart from Brian's Hill and Bear Grass before I returned to the chalet.
The stargazing wasn't so great tonight--it was a little hazy. It was pretty cool when the moon rose, however--it was bright orange. I didn't see any meteors this time.
Mileage = 9.6
When I got back to the chalet I ate dinner and then headed over to the Nordic area to find some huckleberries. I picked about a quart from Brian's Hill and Bear Grass before I returned to the chalet.
The stargazing wasn't so great tonight--it was a little hazy. It was pretty cool when the moon rose, however--it was bright orange. I didn't see any meteors this time.
Mileage = 9.6
Monday, August 15, 2011
Paying the price for my weekend
Yesterday wasn't bad, but today my knees hurt. I iced in the morning, and I'd better go ice again as soon as I finish this post.
I decided that I really needed to go for a trailrun tonight. For one thing, I spent most of my day catching up on my garden so I was short on time in the afternoon, and running my miles takes significantly less time than walking them. For another thing, I have Cutthroat to worry about. I have learned that no matter how much I hike, hiking does not make me a faster runner. At least running makes me a faster hiker!
At any rate, I knew I needed the flattest trails I could find; Centennial Trail's pavement would only make my knees worse, so that left the Nordic area. I ran out on Brian's Hill, Sam's Swoop, Lodgepole, and Quartz Mountain, and then returned via Twin Lakes, Shady Way, Silver, Blue Jay, and Valley View. While I was out there I found a good patch of ripe huckleberries; guess where I'm hiking tomorrow?
Today's mileage: 7.9
I decided that I really needed to go for a trailrun tonight. For one thing, I spent most of my day catching up on my garden so I was short on time in the afternoon, and running my miles takes significantly less time than walking them. For another thing, I have Cutthroat to worry about. I have learned that no matter how much I hike, hiking does not make me a faster runner. At least running makes me a faster hiker!
At any rate, I knew I needed the flattest trails I could find; Centennial Trail's pavement would only make my knees worse, so that left the Nordic area. I ran out on Brian's Hill, Sam's Swoop, Lodgepole, and Quartz Mountain, and then returned via Twin Lakes, Shady Way, Silver, Blue Jay, and Valley View. While I was out there I found a good patch of ripe huckleberries; guess where I'm hiking tomorrow?
Today's mileage: 7.9
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Lake Ethel
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
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
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
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