krista4
Footballguy
Would you please include us in your plans next year if you're stupid enough to do it again?
Good luck this year! It will be easier the second time around. 
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Hiking (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter TheIronSheik
- Start date
Good luck this year! It will be easier the second time around. 
bigbottom
Footballguy
Knowing my wife, I'm guessing we'll do it again. I'll post the dates here once we have them nailed down (which should be pretty soon actually). It's always in May, and we always do South to North on a Thursday and the return trip on Saturday. You and Mr. Krista we're going to try to do them back to back days, right? I can't even imagine.
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krista4
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
bigbottom
Footballguy
You're too kind. On the plus side, it's looking like the highs tomorrow across the box will be in the 80s, compared to 105 or so last year. That will be a huge help.I'd say doing R2R2R two years in a row qualifies you as a hiker.
Dignan_
Footballguy
How was it the second time around?
Did you prep any differently?
Do anything different on the trail?
Got any pictures of that giant hole in the ground?
Dignan_
Footballguy
This sounds like an awesome trip! Congrats on jumping off the cliff, that take some huevos. And very cool that you took your daughter, any time I've run across kids with their parents on hikes or at parks they always seem very mature, respectful, and appreciative. Solid parenting on your part.
That article you linked in a previous post had a good write up and pictures, I wasn't able to figure out much logistics from the Havasupai Tribe site.
A couple of questions:
How much is the permit, and how far in advance to you have to purchase?
Is two nights camping at the bottom plenty of time to see Navajo Falls, Mooney Falls, Havasu Falls, and do a side hike or two? Would there be any reason to stay longer?
Is there a water source at the campground?
I did a 3 nt. R2R backpacking trip on the main corridor trails a few years ago and loved it. As much as I am looking forward to getting back there for another R2R or attempting something like BigBottom I might try to sneak over to Havasupai first. The pictures of those waterfalls and the surrounding canyon are incredible.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Prosopis!
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prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
Trip was organized by my daughters school so I am not sure what the permits cost. I believe we paid 300.00 per person which covered permits,transportation, and mules to pack our bigger bags in.
Two nights is enough time but more is better in my opinion. If I was going I would aim for three or maybe even four nights. I wish we had time to hike the Colorado river which would be a one day hike. It is a beautiful area and I could just lay out next to a waterfall all day. I guess the true answer will be subjective on your personality and what you are looking for. You could certainly see all the falls in a two night camping trip
Yes there is a fresh water spring in the campground.
I highly recommend this trip. It really is a bucket list type of trip.
IrishTwinkie
Footballguy
Looks like I am the odd duck hiking out east. I hiked/summitted Mt Mansfield this past weekend. (Only need Khatdin now to finish the 6 peaks in NewEngland...) Great little state park served as home base. 8.5 mile loop. The first 2 and last 2 miles were easy old CCC road walking. The in between was more rock climbing than hiking. Lots of scrambles. At one point I was was thankful that someone had chiseled out toe sized hollows into the rock. Not sure how else I was going to make it up. Lots of exposed hiking on the ridge. The views from the Forehead and Chin were awesome. Pretty cool to see Lake Champlain way off in the horizon. Thats one big lake.
Next big trip is around the Wild River area in the Whites.
Next big trip is around the Wild River area in the Whites.
bigbottom
Footballguy
Thanks for the interest! To answer your questions in order:Dignan_ said:
It was easier this time around. Well, it was still hard as hell, but it didn't fully kick my ### as it did last year. I don't think it's because I was in better condition though. I think it's because the highs were in the 80s instead of the 100s. That helped a lot in terms of hydration and energy levels. It did rain on the South to North hike, however. It's a long story, but one of our group forgot to pack a poncho, so I gave mine up. Ended up getting soaked all the way to the skin, and then the temperatures dropped precipitously. It was snowing on the North Rim that day, although where we were hiking, it only dropped into the low 40s. Still, being completely soaked in near freezing temps was NOT FUN. As long as I kept moving though, I was able to keep my core temp regulated. Didn't even get sick, but things were pretty miserable for a few hours. On the other hand, the North to South hike was pretty much perfect conditions throughout. Just gorgeous.
Prepped pretty much the same way. A couple really long hikes to get my feet adjusted to the mileage. Stairmill and incline treadmill for ascent training, and then regular jogging for cardio. Once again, I definitely would have benefitted from more cardio work to improve cardiovascular fitness, but it was still better this year than last.
Didnt really do anything too different on the trail. Tried to soak it all in as much as possible while maintaining a pretty brisk pace and trying to pay attention to where I was stepping (turning an ankle would be a freaking nightmare). On the ascent, I did go a little zen inside my mind to push through the pain of the climb. For the Fitbit wearers, on the day of the South to North hike I climbed 587 floors, and on the day of the North to South hike, I had 70,209 steps.
I took some photos with my phone, but haven't posted them to a public site. They are beautiful, but don't come anywhere close to doing the Canyon justice. It really is just breathtaking to be there.
You should definitely consider doing this. It's an awesome challenge (though I imagine your multiple day trek allows you to really take in the beauty of the Canyon).
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bigbottom
Footballguy
As it turns out, a couple folks in our hiking group did Havasupai Falls. I asked them for their opinion and they absolutely loved the hike and the falls, but did say that the village was pretty depressing. Just dirty with trash everywhere. Not what they were expecting from an 800-year-old village. In any event, I'm thinking about doing it before next year's hike (yes, we're doing it again).prosopis said:
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saintfool
Dead sexy
Taking my 6 year old boy camping and hiking for the first time in a few weeks near Starving Rock state park here in Illinois. I haven't been camping in a number of years but I did it regularly growing up. I'm pretty geeked out for something as simple as car camping and a day hike with the little dude.
The General
Footballguy
Just got back from trying to summit Mt Hood. We got about 2 hours short and the guides had us turn around. 50 MPH winds, blowing ice, below zero windchill. Was nuts. I was sizing up people to eat.
Weather has been perfect up to yesterday and will be awesome after tomorrow, got some bad luck.
Weather has been perfect up to yesterday and will be awesome after tomorrow, got some bad luck.
IrishTwinkie
Footballguy
I can't compare Mt Hood, but I just returned from a couple days in the Wild River Wilderness in the White Mountains. Did a nice loop from WildRiver CampGround, Down the east side and then up to Carter Notch and over Carter Dome. When back down to the Wild River via Black Angel Trail. I pretty much hated how Black Angel started. The trail is either sloping rock faces or a little dirt that has been caught by the tree roots that are barely hanging on the to side of the mountain. Not my idea of a good time. Carter Notch was awesome tho.
As a nice topper, on the way out to the trailhead this morning, I heard a loud crash off to my left. Then the sound of a very large branch getting broken/snapped/stepped on. I hit the breaks hard, I swear you could heard the squeal of rubber on trail as I came to a sudden stop. A moose pops out of the woods and on to the trail. No more that 20 feet away from us. We look at him, he looks at us and we all consider our options. Thankfully he decided we were ugly and smelly and decided to run down the trail away from us. Those things are freaking huge!
On the way from the Carter Notch to the Dome we ran in at least 4 AT Thru hikers. Oh my. They put me to shame. They basically skipped up the mountain like it was a sidewalk. It wasn't. I guess after walking all the way from Georgia and being almost done with NH, the trail gets easier...
As a nice topper, on the way out to the trailhead this morning, I heard a loud crash off to my left. Then the sound of a very large branch getting broken/snapped/stepped on. I hit the breaks hard, I swear you could heard the squeal of rubber on trail as I came to a sudden stop. A moose pops out of the woods and on to the trail. No more that 20 feet away from us. We look at him, he looks at us and we all consider our options. Thankfully he decided we were ugly and smelly and decided to run down the trail away from us. Those things are freaking huge!
On the way from the Carter Notch to the Dome we ran in at least 4 AT Thru hikers. Oh my. They put me to shame. They basically skipped up the mountain like it was a sidewalk. It wasn't. I guess after walking all the way from Georgia and being almost done with NH, the trail gets easier...
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IrishTwinkie
Footballguy
Had some time to kill last weekend. I was back up near Stowe VT. Decided I was going to summit Mt Mansfield again. This time I started on 108 and walked south on the LongTrail. ooof. That trail is an exponential curve. The last third of a mile is basically straight up. I had to collapse my hiking poles as they were useless and in the way as I climbed hand over hand to get to the top. I'm not really sure how anyone in a full pack makes it up or down that stretch.
While it was hazy, the views were great. Seeing Lake Champlain stretch out to the west and the Whites, including Mt Washington stretch out to the east was way awesome.
While it was hazy, the views were great. Seeing Lake Champlain stretch out to the west and the Whites, including Mt Washington stretch out to the east was way awesome.
Senor Schmutzig
Footballguy
Was in Vermont last week and took a nice hike up Mt. Ascutney. Pretty technical climb at times with lots of roots and rocks. Great views from the fire tower at the top, just near the summit. It was a relatively clear day so you could see Killington and other mountains quite well. Not a lot of rainfall in the area so the falls were reduced to pretty much a trickle. There was also a hangliding launch area that had a pretty sheer drop down the windward side of the mountain. You pretty much have to trust your equipment at that point as there is nothing but down once you make that leap.
I love trail running so I ran down as much as I could manage, only rolling my ankle once in the process. I was told that Mt. Ascutney was once a ski resort but I didn't see much evidence of that on the side that we climbed up or maybe the slopes have all grown in since then.
A few minute drive to the Harpoon Brewery where we had some ice-cold Camp Wannamango's. They definitely hit the spot after being partially dehydrated due to not bringing enough water on a warmer than normal day!
I love trail running so I ran down as much as I could manage, only rolling my ankle once in the process. I was told that Mt. Ascutney was once a ski resort but I didn't see much evidence of that on the side that we climbed up or maybe the slopes have all grown in since then.
A few minute drive to the Harpoon Brewery where we had some ice-cold Camp Wannamango's. They definitely hit the spot after being partially dehydrated due to not bringing enough water on a warmer than normal day!
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Spock
Footballguy
Went camping a couple of weeks ago with the family in the Sierra's. We did a 6 mile day hike near Bishop. Couldn't quite complete the Chocolate loop trail as we encountered lots of snow at the higher elevations.
http://imgur.com/1kisWIF Younger daughter at South Lake (elevation 9,750)
http://imgur.com/ZWaBhGO Long Lake (elevation 10,760)
http://imgur.com/Rn3zaQC Older daughter with snow pack
http://imgur.com/1kisWIF Younger daughter at South Lake (elevation 9,750)
http://imgur.com/ZWaBhGO Long Lake (elevation 10,760)
http://imgur.com/Rn3zaQC Older daughter with snow pack
IrishTwinkie
Footballguy
Mt. Ascutney looks like a tough climb no matter which way you try. I'll have to keep it mind for future adventures.
And those are some awesome pictures. Love the lakes!
And those are some awesome pictures. Love the lakes!
krista4
Footballguy
I was just thinking of this thread yesterday and had planned to find it. Somehow had missed the last six weeks worth of posts. It's great to see the thread active again.
Had been wondering about The General's Mt Hood climb - sorry to hear of your bad luck. Will you get another chance to tackle it this year?
We've finally been getting up into some new-to-us hikes after a spring of some same ol', same ol'. The last weekend in June we were supposed to do a three-day backpack with a friend for her birthday. A last-minute gear mishap prevented Mr krista and I from overnighting, but we didn't want to disappoint our friend, so we ended up doing a 10-mile day hike on Sunday (dragging along a bottle of port and some brownies) when she hiked in, and then a nearly 20-mile day hike on Monday (dragging along a bottle of Bailey's and a chocolate cake) to meet her at a lake for her actual birthday. Kind of a pain, but well worth the scenery, including Mt. Olympus staring us in the face.
Fourth of July weekend we headed to the eastern side of the Cascades, starting with a fun* scramble up Earl Peak on Sunday and followed by one of the prettiest alpine lakes in the region (Colchuck Lake) on Monday. If you look at the picture of the lake, the scramble/snowfield on the left of the big peak is called Aasgard Pass. It's famous around here, gaining about 2000 feet of elevation in 3/4 of a mile to get you into the core of The Enchantments, often considered the most beautiful area of the state. We're talking steep, though. Unfortunately it's also notorious for killing people, and if you look to the right of the rocks in the upper-middle of the snowfield, you might be able to see a couple of small holes dug into the snow. That is from the latest recovery operation, which was completed on Saturday to recover the body of a young man who was lost on the pass while glissading down it just over a month ago. He's far from the first to die there and sadly won't be the last. At least they were able to make a successful recovery. :( We did not attempt Aasgard Pass on Monday, contenting ourselves to enjoy the lake on an extremely windy day.
*Fun if you're a mountain goat.
Had been wondering about The General's Mt Hood climb - sorry to hear of your bad luck. Will you get another chance to tackle it this year?
We've finally been getting up into some new-to-us hikes after a spring of some same ol', same ol'. The last weekend in June we were supposed to do a three-day backpack with a friend for her birthday. A last-minute gear mishap prevented Mr krista and I from overnighting, but we didn't want to disappoint our friend, so we ended up doing a 10-mile day hike on Sunday (dragging along a bottle of port and some brownies) when she hiked in, and then a nearly 20-mile day hike on Monday (dragging along a bottle of Bailey's and a chocolate cake) to meet her at a lake for her actual birthday. Kind of a pain, but well worth the scenery, including Mt. Olympus staring us in the face.
Fourth of July weekend we headed to the eastern side of the Cascades, starting with a fun* scramble up Earl Peak on Sunday and followed by one of the prettiest alpine lakes in the region (Colchuck Lake) on Monday. If you look at the picture of the lake, the scramble/snowfield on the left of the big peak is called Aasgard Pass. It's famous around here, gaining about 2000 feet of elevation in 3/4 of a mile to get you into the core of The Enchantments, often considered the most beautiful area of the state. We're talking steep, though. Unfortunately it's also notorious for killing people, and if you look to the right of the rocks in the upper-middle of the snowfield, you might be able to see a couple of small holes dug into the snow. That is from the latest recovery operation, which was completed on Saturday to recover the body of a young man who was lost on the pass while glissading down it just over a month ago. He's far from the first to die there and sadly won't be the last. At least they were able to make a successful recovery. :( We did not attempt Aasgard Pass on Monday, contenting ourselves to enjoy the lake on an extremely windy day.
*Fun if you're a mountain goat.
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The General
Footballguy
Thanks for asking. Probably not this year but will go again. The timing of the bad weather was comical, it peaked literally as we started hiking at around 2 AM. Was clear the next day. It was definitely an experience. Went from having beers in the lodge looking at the mountain 24 hours before to not being able to see 5 feet in front of my face while trying to hike up.
Great pic of Aasgard. There is a campsite either right there or on the next small outcropping where I camped a couple years ago and then hiked over that. It honestly wasn't as bad as I had built up in my mind, just took a long time. We did hike next to a mountain goat as well
Would hike that way through The Enchantments every time as opposed to coming up the other way.
urbanhack
Fight The Power!
The General
Footballguy
So we went a little overboard, my Dad was in our group who is almost 70 so we wanted as cushy as possible, we did this: Silcox Hut Climbing Program
That included staying at this very cool cabin a good ways up the hill, a snowcat ride past a boring section of the mountain which would have been just slogging up a groomed run, 2 really good meals, plus waffles when we finished, a few hours of training, and a guide with you. I'm sure there are better deals to be had but this was pretty awesome despite the crap weather.
I had a lot of the gear but did rent a snow axe, climbing harness, crampons, and a helmet which cost another 100 or so.
krista4
Footballguy
We camped and did it from the other side (Snow Lake) last year. This year our group of eight each tried for either Colchuck or Core, except for one application (out of 72 - nine each) where I accidentally put Snow Lake. Guess which one we got?Thanks for asking. Probably not this year but will go again. The timing of the bad weather was comical, it peaked literally as we started hiking at around 2 AM. Was clear the next day. It was definitely an experience. Went from having beers in the lodge looking at the mountain 24 hours before to not being able to see 5 feet in front of my face while trying to hike up.
Great pic of Aasgard. There is a campsite either right there or on the next small outcropping where I camped a couple years ago and then hiked over that. It honestly wasn't as bad as I had built up in my mind, just took a long time. We did hike next to a mountain goat as well
Would hike that way through The Enchantments every time as opposed to coming up the other way.
Oh well, better than getting shut out, as most people do. Weird that I have been the "winner" each of my first two years to apply.We've been coming across a lot of goats, and they can be a little scary to me. We had to glissade down an area of Klahhane Ridge a few weeks ago that I was not thrilled about doing, but our other choice was to walk head-on into a big goat that wouldn't leave us alone. He even started to follow us down the glissade. I think it frightened me more since that is the very trail where a guy was killed by a goat about five years ago (of course, that goat is gone, but could be a family member!).
Your Hood story is funny but sad. There's always next year! I can't decide if I want to go up there sometime or not. I don't love snow travel.
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krista4
Footballguy
saintfool
Dead sexy
Quick update...
We did this little trip a couple of weeks ago. Little man was pretty excited to sleep in a tent, with his own sleeping bag, and such. Despite kind of ridiculous conditions for Illinois - daytime temps close to 100 and nighttime at 90 - we did pretty well. Starved Rock is pretty popular around here but wasn't too crowded. Short hikes to canyons, overlooks, and cleared trails for us all. Recommended for car campers and other novices.
The General
Footballguy
Maybe your friends are just saying they are enteringWe camped and did it from the other side (Snow Lake) last year. This year our group of eight each tried for either Colchuck or Core, except for one application (out of 72 - nine each) where I accidentally put Snow Lake. Guess which one we got?
We've been coming across a lot of goats, and they can be a little scary to me. We had to glissade down an area of Klahhane Ridge a few weeks ago that I was thrilled about doing, but our other choice was to walk head-on into a big goat that wouldn't leave us alone. He even started to follow us down the glissade. I think it frightened me more since that is the very trail where a guy was killed by a goat about five years ago (of course, that goat is gone, but could be a family member!).
Your Hood story is funny but sad. There's always next year! I can't decide if I want to go up there sometime or not. I don't love snow travel.
I have always had good luck on those lotteries as long as I put in on the 1st day.If you had any interest I'd suggest Mt Adams. Much easier and non technical and you can see if you like it at all before investing in Hood or similar type hike.
Regardless there are so many great places up here, you seem to hit them all the time.
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krista4
Footballguy
Well, of the eight, I actually put in the applications for three of us (Mr krista, who is too disorganized to get it done, and a friend who literally could not afford the $18 in fees at the time), and I'm sure I can trust that my friend Mike did his, but as for the others...maybe you're right.Maybe your friends are just saying they are entering
If you had any interest I'd suggest Mt Adams. Much easier and non technical and you can see if you like it at all before investing in Hood or similar type hike.
Regardless there are so many great places up here, you seem to hit them all the time.
Had not considered that.Adams is a good idea - will have to check that out more seriously.
The General
Footballguy
The cabin was like something out of Game of Thrones: Silcox Hut
Super comfy feather beds. First year they have offered this program, see if they do it again next year.
The General
Footballguy
I only say that because I have pulled that move on some of my friends beforeWell, of the eight, I actually put in the applications for three of us (Mr krista, who is too disorganized to get it done, and a friend who literally could not afford the $18 in fees at the time), and I'm sure I can trust that my friend Mike did his, but as for the others...maybe you're right.
Adams is a good idea - will have to check that out more seriously.
krista4
Footballguy
The General
Footballguy
Don't hike down there as much but this was one of the best spots I have ever camped: Jefferson Park. Awesome rock lined clean lakes to swim in. Usually great weather.
They say it gets really crowded, we were there mid-week and I didn't notice.
krista4
Footballguy
Completely unrelated to this thread, I just came across this photo of a guy climbing Mt Adams - boxer-briefs, slippers, an American flag and a bottle of vodka. Apparently he was hollering at everyone on his way up.
I can do this!
I can do this!
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
Just did my first real peak, Mt. Ogden in Northern Utah. About 11 miles round-trip with 5000 feet of elevation gain to the 9570 foot summit.
This weekend I'm heading to Banff and planning to do either Plain of Six Glaciers or Lake Agnes among others. Unfortunately the weather looks horrid there (cold rain) all weekend and I'll have my toddler with me, so we'll see how that goes.
September is Zion. Narrows, Angel's Landing, Subway. Really excited for that one.
This weekend I'm heading to Banff and planning to do either Plain of Six Glaciers or Lake Agnes among others. Unfortunately the weather looks horrid there (cold rain) all weekend and I'll have my toddler with me, so we'll see how that goes.
September is Zion. Narrows, Angel's Landing, Subway. Really excited for that one.
krista4
Footballguy
parasaurolophus
Footballguy
Sept 9 heading out to Vegas with a friend to tackle Charleston and Mummy in the same day. Little worried about water and so much time on my feet in one day, otherwise very excited. Then I get to relax all day sunday watching football in the book. Honestly can't think of too many better ways to spend a weekend.
The Future Champs
Footballguy
That's ####### awesome. He was living the dream.Completely unrelated to this thread, I just came across this photo of a guy climbing Mt Adams - boxer-briefs, slippers, an American flag and a bottle of vodka. Apparently he was hollering at everyone on his way up.
I can do this!
eta: especially love the climber giving the thumbs up in the foreground.
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SFBayDuck
Footballguy
I posted this in the 10K thread, but I know not many of you venture in there....and while I'm up here at altitude I'm hiking way more more than I'm running so figured it fit this thread, especially since I included pictures.
Sitting at a brewery in Silverton having some pizza and IPA, and found a plug to charge up the laptop. The start of my trip to the mountains has been even better than I expected. I left Marin Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM and made it to Flagstaff, AZ, around 5:00 that evening. I went straight to the running store to pick up a map and get some route ideas, hit two breweries and grabbed some dinner, and then found a dispersed (free) camping spot about 5 miles out of town near a trail head. Crashed out in the back of my ride, and was up bright and early with a plan for about 15 miles. It started at about 7,200', and climbed up to about 8,700' over eight miles. It was typical high desert, with some fairly rocky sections but mostly pretty smooth single track. I was definitely feeling the altitude, especially while climbing and once I got up above 8,000' or so, but I felt pretty good. Then about three hours in I ran out of water. I had a 1.5L bladder and two 20 oz bottles, but that dry, desert air just sucked the moisture right out of me. I went from moving ok to slogging along at a slow walk for almost an hour, trying to figure out if I'd stopped sweating or if it was just instantly evaporating in that arid climate. I finally came down to a trail head where some mountain bikers were getting ready to head out, and they had spare water in the truck they hooked me up with which made the final few miles much better. There was an unplanned detour due to a closed section of trail that led to some bonus miles, so by the end I had covered 18.4 miles with 2,320' of gain.
I got back to the campsite and took a quick camp shower, and hit the road for the six hour drive to Silverton, CO. I had hoped to be there by 7:00 or so for a showing of the Hardrock 100 movie Kissing the Rock, but the bonus miles and struggling late in the run had me an hour behind schedule. I got into town about 8:00, and met up at a brew pub with some people from Facebook that had a campsite two miles out of town with room for me (with this view). Threw back a couple beers, went into fanboy mode and bought one for Rickey Gates and talked to Bryon Powell from iRunFar, and then we headed back to the campsite to chill around the campfire and then hit the sack without a plan for the next day. Freedom, man.
This morning I rolled into town to wander around the Hardrock runner check in area, gawked at Killian Jornet and Anna Frost, and then decided to do an out and back on the first 5 or so miles of the course. Silverton sits at 9.300' feet, and the first 5 miles climbs up to about 11,000' (Strava) . It's a short climb up out of town, and then some rolling stuff that then drops down to Mineral Creek. And then the real climbing began. Sucking wind on every climb was the order of the day, and after about 3 miles it was some gnarly sections of "trail" carved into a scree slope. But the views were unbelievable. At about 10,800' it finally hit a green section with a bit more of a trail and some small streams, one of which I used to purify water and refill my bladder. I turned around and headed back down and that scree slope "trail" was freaking me out - you couldn't get good footing, and it was worse downhill than up. And have I mentioned I don't love heights? The worst part is the constant twisting of ankles and knees, although I've learned to sort of transfer that torque to my hips - so they're nice and sore. And this is a "mellow" section of the course. It will be interesting to see if my perception changes over the next few days, because right now I can't imagine being on trails like that for 40-48 hours.
I'll be at the race start tomorrow at 6:00 AM, and trying now to figure out my plan for the rest of the day. I'll probably jump to a few aid stations to watch the race unfold, and I'm considering doing the last few miles of the course while the markers are up (and before Kilian gets there). The winner should finish between 23-24 hours (only three times has sub-24 happened, with Kilian twice doing it twice),and I'd like to be there for that. And of course the last hour or two before the 48 hour cutoff, as that's where the real magic is witnessed. After the race ends on Sunday morning, I have a few more days to explore up here before having to be back in the Bay by end of day Friday. If the start of the trip is any indicator, it should be epic!
Sitting at a brewery in Silverton having some pizza and IPA, and found a plug to charge up the laptop. The start of my trip to the mountains has been even better than I expected. I left Marin Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM and made it to Flagstaff, AZ, around 5:00 that evening. I went straight to the running store to pick up a map and get some route ideas, hit two breweries and grabbed some dinner, and then found a dispersed (free) camping spot about 5 miles out of town near a trail head. Crashed out in the back of my ride, and was up bright and early with a plan for about 15 miles. It started at about 7,200', and climbed up to about 8,700' over eight miles. It was typical high desert, with some fairly rocky sections but mostly pretty smooth single track. I was definitely feeling the altitude, especially while climbing and once I got up above 8,000' or so, but I felt pretty good. Then about three hours in I ran out of water. I had a 1.5L bladder and two 20 oz bottles, but that dry, desert air just sucked the moisture right out of me. I went from moving ok to slogging along at a slow walk for almost an hour, trying to figure out if I'd stopped sweating or if it was just instantly evaporating in that arid climate. I finally came down to a trail head where some mountain bikers were getting ready to head out, and they had spare water in the truck they hooked me up with which made the final few miles much better. There was an unplanned detour due to a closed section of trail that led to some bonus miles, so by the end I had covered 18.4 miles with 2,320' of gain.
I got back to the campsite and took a quick camp shower, and hit the road for the six hour drive to Silverton, CO. I had hoped to be there by 7:00 or so for a showing of the Hardrock 100 movie Kissing the Rock, but the bonus miles and struggling late in the run had me an hour behind schedule. I got into town about 8:00, and met up at a brew pub with some people from Facebook that had a campsite two miles out of town with room for me (with this view). Threw back a couple beers, went into fanboy mode and bought one for Rickey Gates and talked to Bryon Powell from iRunFar, and then we headed back to the campsite to chill around the campfire and then hit the sack without a plan for the next day. Freedom, man.
This morning I rolled into town to wander around the Hardrock runner check in area, gawked at Killian Jornet and Anna Frost, and then decided to do an out and back on the first 5 or so miles of the course. Silverton sits at 9.300' feet, and the first 5 miles climbs up to about 11,000' (Strava) . It's a short climb up out of town, and then some rolling stuff that then drops down to Mineral Creek. And then the real climbing began. Sucking wind on every climb was the order of the day, and after about 3 miles it was some gnarly sections of "trail" carved into a scree slope. But the views were unbelievable. At about 10,800' it finally hit a green section with a bit more of a trail and some small streams, one of which I used to purify water and refill my bladder. I turned around and headed back down and that scree slope "trail" was freaking me out - you couldn't get good footing, and it was worse downhill than up. And have I mentioned I don't love heights? The worst part is the constant twisting of ankles and knees, although I've learned to sort of transfer that torque to my hips - so they're nice and sore. And this is a "mellow" section of the course. It will be interesting to see if my perception changes over the next few days, because right now I can't imagine being on trails like that for 40-48 hours.
I'll be at the race start tomorrow at 6:00 AM, and trying now to figure out my plan for the rest of the day. I'll probably jump to a few aid stations to watch the race unfold, and I'm considering doing the last few miles of the course while the markers are up (and before Kilian gets there). The winner should finish between 23-24 hours (only three times has sub-24 happened, with Kilian twice doing it twice),and I'd like to be there for that. And of course the last hour or two before the 48 hour cutoff, as that's where the real magic is witnessed. After the race ends on Sunday morning, I have a few more days to explore up here before having to be back in the Bay by end of day Friday. If the start of the trip is any indicator, it should be epic!
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
Sure! (sorry just saw this)
Fields of wildflowers
Up on the saddle
Getting close
Summit is in sight!
My brother on the top
It was a cool hike. The local ski resort (Snowbasin) does a summer concert series every Sunday with BBQ and beer tents set up out on the lawn. It's about a 45 minute drive around the mountain from our house on the east side of the mountain to get to the resort on the west side. So the girls took my son out there to get a spot on the lawn, meanwhile my brother and I woke up about 5 hours earlier and walked from my front door, over the mountain, and met the girls waiting for us down on the lawn at the resort with a beer and some live music.
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krista4
Footballguy
I just love every bit of this, from the wildflowers to the story to...everything. Absolutely beautiful.
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bigbottom
Footballguy
skol asylum
Footballguy
84 days and 1500 miles into the PCT. Lots of cool pics and an experience to follow by my former coworker Jason...
http://hikingwithjason.com
Over halfway there now.
http://hikingwithjason.com
Over halfway there now.
SFBayDuck
Footballguy
I am from Oregon, but I moved to Northern California after graduating UO and never really hiked and didn't run at all when I was living up there. My outdoor experience there was pretty much river trips on the Deschutes and a 12-day Alaska river trip, but not much in the way of hiking. I found the trails after moving to the Bay Area.Great write-up and pics, Duck! Are you originally from Oregon? Isn't it full of those scree-laden trails like WA is? I haven't done much hiking down there. Of course, my favorite part was your gawking at Killian Jornet and Anna Frost. I would have, too.
And yes, the gawking has been off the charts the past 2 days! I was at the start of the race at 6:00 AM yesterday, then went to the aid stations at Telluride (mile 27.8) and Ouray (mile 43.9) and watched the first 20-25 runners come through each. I then drove back to Silverton, crashed out for a few hours at a campsite I scrambled to find just outside town, since I'd lost the site I had been at, and then headed back to town to watch the leaders come in at 4:30 AM. Kilian and Jason Schlarb came in together, co-winners, and Anna Frost did indeed win the women's race. Runners continue to trickle in now at just over 38 hours in, with 12 hours to go and probably about 90-100 still out there. Insane.
And to keep this thread-specific, after watching the leaders come in I headed out to do a quick hike up and run back down the trail to Ice Lake just outside Silverton, CO. It started at 9,848' and climbed steadily up to over 12,000' at Ice Lake, a total of just over 8 miles in 3 1/2 hours. Unbelievable mountains and scenery up here.
From lake level
Hiked up a bit further to get a different angle
The creek leading away from the lake toward a waterfall
Pictures don't even do justice, as you regular mountain hikers know. Just amazing.
SFBayDuck
Footballguy
I managed to conquer my first 14er today! I tested the Hyundai Santa Fe rental car on a 40 minute drive that covered probably 15 miles - the roughest, jeep road I've ever been on. Thankful the tires and axles held up! I finally got out to where the Grouse Gulch aid station had been for Hardrock at just under 11K', mile 58.4 of the course in the clockwise direction, and prepared to head up to Handies Peak which is the highest point of the course at 14,048' up over about 5 miles. It was just up, up and up to a saddle at over 13,000', dropped down into a basin, and then another climb up to the peak. The trail was really steep in some sections, and rocky for most of it, even on the way back down it was tough to run. I'm definitely improving my glissade technique sliding down loose gravel/rocks, and even snow in a couple of spots!
All in all, it took 5:21 with a few spots for pictures, eating, filtering water, and enjoying the views. Oh yeah, and catching my breath. 10.6 miles with 4,491' of climbing
Small lake on the way up
These mountains are just huge
Sloan Lake at 12,920'.  And this is where the climbing to the peak really began
The view looking back down at the trail
All in all, it took 5:21 with a few spots for pictures, eating, filtering water, and enjoying the views. Oh yeah, and catching my breath. 10.6 miles with 4,491' of climbing
Small lake on the way up
These mountains are just huge
Sloan Lake at 12,920'.  And this is where the climbing to the peak really began
The view looking back down at the trail
