mountain

#hike24 - Skyline Trail (Mt. Rainier NP)

I don’t even know how to begin with describing this hike… amazing? Too generic. I don’t know. Hang in there with me.

I had the opportunity to do this one with a new friend a couple of years ago, and didn’t. Talk about regrets. I should have. There was no pandemic and far less people on the trail. I was fearful… I was tired from a poor night’s sleep… I was embarrassed because I’d probably be huffing and puffing the whole way up. Cut to a week or so ago, when I was back and facing the same trail. I hadn’t slept well again, but was not fearful or afraid of judgment this time. I am in a MUCH better headspace about the outdoors now than I ever was and I we had a sunny, late summer day to do the Skyline Trail.

Jen and I had already spent many days together - hiking through the Olympic area and North Cascades area. We were ready for another big one and this trail fulfilled so much it was overwhelming in the best way. You start on a paved path up, and I mean UP. It was pretty crowded for the circumstances, as was the visitor center, but we were not giving up. We had masks, liters of water, snacks, and sunglasses. Onward we moved, or upward rather, until we hit the end of the pavement. From there, it is dirt with a few snowy patches. We kept climbing - up up up up up. We hit a mile, it was the slowest mile I’ve ever walked but who the hell cares? The views were beyond my comprehension. Each time we stopped to catch our breath or take a drink, we had a new view of the same thing. It was incredible. The path was lined with wildflowers until it was too rocky, and eventually we made it to the top of this particular trail. You could see Mt. Adams in the distance and it looked spectacular.

We began the descent, which led us over some rocky areas and into a set of switchbacks through a mountain meadow. I can not even begin to describe the smell of that meadow - honey sweet but also fresh? It was the best smelling meadow I’ve ever experienced - thanks to all the glorious wildflowers and grasses. The way down was the other half of the loop and offered even better views of the ones we thought we loved going up. Eventually, we made it back to a paved path and the visitor center. I don’t know if we processed the experience - I know I am still sitting here daydreaming about it and reliving every moment of it.

We drove through the park, towards the Stevens Canyon exit, and stopped at a shaded turnout for lunch. We didn’t have a view of Mt. Rainier, but I could still see it in my mind as if I could reach out and touch it. What a wild and amazing time on a trail that really wasn’t the worst thing in the world - just made us huff and puff a little. Honestly, I’d recommend this to anyone. The diversity on the trail - people of all walks of life were doing it and enjoying it.

Lesson: Always do the trail; you may not get a second chance like I did.

Distance: 5.44 miles, 1600-1700 ft of elevation change

Highlights: sweet smelling meadows, great views of things other than Rainier, and snow packs

Watch out for: the edge, slippery snow packs or melt, the crowds (you’ll want to take your time and just kinda either flow with or wait for large groups to pass)

2019 #hike14 and #hike15 - "We're About Halfway There"

It was a fun-filled weekend in Arizona’s gorgeous Superstition Wilderness Area just northeast of Phoenix metro. Original plans didn’t work out due to weather, so this was a solid backup. We backpacked in with the intention of staying the night, but left due to weather and difficulty finding water where we wanted to camp. I learned a lot on these two hikes, the hike in and out, about how to balance my backpack weight, how much water to really bring, and what to expect as far as difficulty. I honestly can’t wait to get out and backpack again with friends or flying solo. If you’re in Texas, or anywhere else really, and want to backpack with a newbie, hit me up!


Hike 14

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2019

Location: Superstition Mountains Wilderness Area - Tonto National Forest

Distance: ~6 miles? (we all had differing numbers - probably 5-6?)

Trails: #236 (Second Water Trail) to #241 (Black Mesa Trail) to #104 (Dutchman)

Miles from Home: 996

Weather: Warm, Sunny, Breezy

The day before this trip, I had day tripped around with Scott Jones and walked about 3/4 of a mile on this trail so the beginning was familiar to me. It was a little different this day due to the 34 pounds of weigh on my back, but it was so exciting I didn’t even care. I was carrying enough crap on my back to survive more than one night (if need be, though only one was planned), and it felt empowering. We started out, and then ascended a few hundred feet over the next couple of miles. The views became better and better, and the desert vegetation had me giddy. I was backpacking in the desert and I felt alive. I was with a great group of new-to-me people and they were as welcoming as ever. We stopped as often as we needed to, took in views as they came, and shared conversations over a variety of topics

There were NOT that many people out on the trails, though everyone we did pass was pleasant enough. We were warned of snakes in some places, which was helpful, though I think we only saw one small non-rattler. We were headed to an area just off the Black Mesa Trail to the Dutchman which was supposed to provide us with “pools of water so big you could sit and relax” and plenty of spots to set up camp. Well, the volunteer at the trail head, who became known as Ranger Rick, was either mistaken on the location or behind on information because there was a few scummy puddles and a good size pile under a boulder. No luxurious cooling of the feet, no endless supply of water to filter, and no flowing water of any kind. Not the worst situation, but certainly not what we wanted. We set up chairs in the shade and pondered our options for several hours - re-hydrating from the hike in, filtering what water we could get from the under rock pool, and eating our snacks.


Hike 15

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2019

Location: Superstition Mountains Wilderness Area - Tonto National Forest

Distance: ~5 miles? (we all had differing numbers - probably 4-5?)

Trails: #104 (Dutchman)

Miles from Home: 996

Weather: Warm, Cloudy, Breezy (some light raindrops)

As we’re wrapping up our snacks, and lightening our loads, it’s apparent the clouds rolling through were going to drop some rain on us. We had set up “camp” in the shade of the trees lining the dry creek, so we casually packed up and added rain covers to our packs and began our hike out. The sun had vanished, the temperature seemed cooler, and our pace was a little more intense. There was lightning in the distance and rain too, but we stayed mostly dry. We had to climb only a few hundred feet in elevation, but the views were beautiful with the cloudy sky and sunset. There were less saguaro on the hike out, but still plenty of gorgeous desert vegetation. We made it to the cars at about dark and made our way back to the city.

2019 #hike8 #hike9 #hike10 & #hike11 - March Recap

Because I was drowning in work and also lazy AF, I decided to piece the March 2019 hikes together. I hope to hike some more out in West Texas - maybe Big Bend, hopefully Guadalupe Mountains, and a definitely a few state parks. If you want to hike together, hit me up!


Hike 8 - Clear Creek Heritage Nature Center - Denton, TX

  • 3.35 miles, solo hike, enjoyed

  • Flooded trails and very few people

  • Clear, beautiful weather - cool and sunny

  • Met some great people and had great chats about local hikes


Hike 9 - Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge - Fort Worth, TX

  • 4.35 miles, group hike, enjoyed

  • Nice hike with my other half and aunt

  • Beautiful sunny day, not too crowded

  • Spring was starting


Hike 10 - Big Bend National Park: Lost Mine Trail - Big Bend National Park, TX

  • 4.96 miles, solo hike, thoroughly enjoyed

  • Excellent views, great terrain variety, wonderful elevation gain

  • Beautiful trail plants

  • Crowded as the morning changed to afternoon

  • Get there early to avoid the sun, also!


Hike 11 - Big Bend National Park: Chimney Trail - Big Bend National Park, TX

  • 4.82 miles, solo hike, great canyon views

  • Gorgeous desert wildflowers and plant life

  • Wonderful, expansive views

  • Very sunny, wear sunscreen! It’s very exposed, avoid if too hot.

  • Not buys at all.