Mailbox with John

The landmark where I turned back

Yesterday John Anderson and I agreed we would hike for two hours and try to get as far as I did on the last hike (when I only hiked about 1.5 hours). We fell short of the mark, and I hiked farther, still not making the same distance, but finding a familiar landmark that I recorded for future comparisons. My feet hurt on the way down, but at this writing (Monday morning) they are not hurting so bad.

Map My Hike showed my top elevation at 2,296 feet, but GPS status listed 2,263. I went with 2,200 and figured actual elevation gain at 1,400 feet, more conservative then necessary, I believe.

I wore the backpack I expect to take to Mount Adams, and on this first trip packed it as if for the Mt. Adams climb.

Individuals we spoke with on the trail told us they had made the summit in 2.5 hours. Another group claimed 3 hours. It's unclear whether they followed the route we used, or the old route, which is shorter but steeper. I decided on the next hike I will use the old route.

John at a waterfall next to a foot bridge

Me, getting my leg wet while John slowly frames and shoots the photo

John next to a treestump (left) and a dead tree that grew out of a dead tree (right)

Beautiful, colorful rot

Overgrown fallen tree

The waterfall

Rotting stump

Statistics for the day:
Distance: 4.5 miles 
Conditions: Cool, clear skies
Load: 26 pounds 
Time from parking lot: 2.5 hours
Elevation gain: 1,400 feet


Statistics, year to date:
Distance: 103.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 31,310 feet