Green Mountain via Gold Creek Trail

Wow!!  What a day.  It was phenomenal.

We started on the trail at about 9:15am.  It was cold and overcast, just yuckie really.  I had on my wool socks and hiking boots, a pair of capris (in case I got hot) under sweat pants, a short sleeve shirt, a long sleeve shirt, a hoodie and gloves.

My day pack was bursting at the seems- both our jackets, 2 32 ounce water bottles full of water, 2 zip locks of trail mix and toilette paper (just in case).  I also had a compass on a lanyard, my phone in my pocket and my camera attached to my chest strap.

My super cute day pack filled to capcity

Leonard carried a little fannie pack with a first aid kit, flashlights, his phone, a map, a pocket knife (with a fire starter) and 2 16 ounce water bottles full of water.  I think we were pretty well prepared.

Right off the bat we came to a little bridge that had water rushing under it.  It was so pretty and I just love the sound of rushing water.

Water under the Bridge

This trail allows all sorts of people to enjoy it.  And we saw it all too (well almost).  There were horses, lots of hikers and mountain bikers.  Motor bikes are also allowed on this trail.  I didn't think to snap a picture of this guy on his horse until he'd already passed by.  He had a sweet dog with him too.  Dogs are allowed off leash here.  Sure made me want a big dog.

Cutie on a horse

A little further down the trail was more rushing water, but it sounded BIG, like a water fall!  I couldn't get close enough Leonard wouldn't let me it was too dangerous.  But Leonard went down to the water fall and took some pictures for me.  Isn't he sweet?

I LOVE water falls

Next up was another little bridge.  And more water.  There was a LOT of water in, on and around this trail.

Leonard crossing the 2nd bridge

More Water under the Bridge

Continuing on we came to a fork in the road.  Going forward led to who knows where (some sort of road, I think) and going left kept us on track.  I'm not really sure how this could be a road though, there's a pretty big gap there...

GM6 (whatever that means)

Oh you'll love this... I'm not sure what the deal is with the pattern on this leaf, but this is exactly how we found it, completely untouched.  We saw it on the way back and another one just like it a little further down.  Had I seen BOTH on the way up I probably would have considered it a sign LOL.  Leonard said it looked like a Tiki Mask.

Tiki Mask Leaf

This trail was a pretty good climb for me.  It was only an elevation gain of 1000 feet, but that seemed straight up.  I had to stop several times to try to catch my breath.  And it didn't take me long to loosen that chest strap.  I was a hurtin' puppy.  My chest felt trapped and I didn't feel like I could get a viable breath in.  It eased up after I released the strap though.  It definitely made the pack flop a little but it was SO worth it.  Breathing is really good.  I was actually kind of glad that Leonard went on with out me a little bit.  He never got out of shouting range, if he couldn't see me he would call to me and as long as I called back he was fine.  I hate feeling like I'm keeping some one from hiking at their own pace.  He's really good at not making me feel that way, I just bring it on myself.  There were several time where I had to remind myself that it was just walking, just putting 1 foot in front of the other, I do it all the time.  And there were MANY times Leonard asked me if I wanted to go back.  No way in hell I was quitting.

Straight up hill, water rushing down the trail and all

At one point we saw a spot where power lines came down out of seemingly nothing.  There was a bench there and we stopped for a few minutes.  Leonard said we were back in civilization because there were power lines LOL.  I suggested we Zip Line down and see where it goes.  He thinks I'm insane.

Can you see the power lines on the left side?

The vista couldn't come soon enough.  I was tripping over my own feet, couldn't breathe and the rocks were causing me to stumble.  Leonard called it the "damn woods" a few times and continually told me that "this blows" every time we rounded a corner and didn't come to the vista.  It was kind of funny.  I was having a rough time, but so was he.  That made me feel a little better.  And then finally... there it was!

This is a sign at the edge of the parking lot (yes you can actually drive here)

There was a parking area that is accessed from a side road open Spring, Summer and Fall, a place to hitch your horses, a picnic table and a privy.  On the way up I got to explain to Leonard what a privy is.  Heeeheee, I knew something he didn't.

Stinky privy and picnic table (why are they so close?)

But this wasn't the sweet spot.  The view point is another ten thousand miles away.  Okay, maybe it just felt that way.  We were tired.  I kept thinking- I came here to hike the Gold Creek Trail, I've done that, I don't care about the view!  But I didn't actually speak any of those words.  Onward and upward!

Sign leading up to the view point

It was not the best of days so we couldn't see far when we got there but I did manage to capture a decent panorama with my phone.  I LOVE that feature.  My regular camera has a panorama option as well but it's not as smooth and easy as my phone.

On a clear day you can see Seattle.  Not today.

And I've decided to start a tradition.  A signature photo...

My tired feet at the top

At the top we sat at one of the many picnic tables and ate some trail mix, talked about the hike, drank a bunch of water and enjoyed a little sunshine.  The return trip was super easy and only took about an hour and 15 minutes..  It was all down hill LOL.  I didn't have any big problems going down.  My feet hurt from stepping on so many rocks and my toes on my right foot really hurt, but that's from a non related issue.  I did find a little bit of "trail love" along the way.

Heart shaped rock

The entire round trip took about 3.5 hours.  Which was pretty good.  The guide book said 3 hours and rated it as moderate difficulty.  I figured that as out of shape as I was it would be a good 4 hour hike.  I think we can improve, but for a first hike I'm pretty happy.

But what made me even more happy was to get home, get out of those sweaty wet clothes, take a steamy hot shower and put on clean clothes.  Nope, I'm not a thru hiker just yet... LOL.

Gear Check

I was telling Leonard about the hike I want to do on Thursday.  I was asking what kind of gear I need for a 4-5 hour hike.  He started naming things off:

• Rain Jacket
• A little snack
• A water bottle for each of us

WAIT!  Each of us?  Meaning he's going with me?  Didn't see that coming.  So we decided to make a run down to REI in Tacoma (about 45 minutes from here) and get a day pack.  We decided on the REI Flash 18 (in Titanium and Lime Spritz) because it can be turned into a stuff sack for when I hike the AT (totally HIS idea, he is coming around).

Exhilarating

It really is!

Every day my desire to become a long distance thru hiker grows stronger.  Lastnight another peg was put in my wall to boost me up higher.  We went to my in-laws to watch soccer.  Leonard's dad is a real outdoors-man.  He's probably been climbing mountains since he came out of the womb.  He was involved in Olympic Mountain Rescue for years (since before I was born) and he teaches Mountaineering at the local community collage.  He really does know it all.  So I asked Leonard to help me get some dialog going with about hiking the AT.  Well... this is how it went:

Leonard: Hey dad, Carolyn has this crazy idea about hiking the AT and I want you to talk her out of it.
Dad: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Yep, that's how it went down.  Because my FIL (a very tall, fit athletic man) looks at me (a short fat girl) and thinks "yeah right".  After the laughter subsided it finally occured to him to ask why the AT when the PCT is in our back yard.  I proceeded to explain that the AT is easier than the PCT, shorter than the PCT and is always within a few miles of a town in case I freak out or need help.  His reply was "It's CROWDED!"  Yes, and another reason to make it my first trail- there will always be some one around to help me if I need it.  I can see it churning in his head- "she's actually put some thought into this ridiculous idea".  And he says "Take a backpacking class at the college".  Well, that would be great IF I HAD TIME AND MONEY!  You see, that was Leonard's suggestion.  Yes, I said Leonard, the man I'm married to who already knows we don't have the money and I don't have the time- work isn't going to let me have time off for any college courses, especially not backpacking!  SO I explain this to my FIL and then I tell him the same thing I told Leonard- "You know everything that they would teach me in the class, maybe you could teach me.  I could start coming over for a few hours on my days off and you could teach me everything I need to know!"

Dad: (Deer in headlights look)

Conversation is OVER.  LOL

We watched the game, it was fun and then Leonard was summonsed to work on their virus riddled computer.  I thought about how the hiking conversation (that lasted 4 seconds) transpired and resigned to figuring this out myself, obvioiusly FIL isn't taking me seriously.  After 3 hours I went to check on them and FIL hands me a book- Day Hike: Olympic Peninsula.   That's us, the Olympic Peninsula (well, almost us).  I got all giddy because with the book came an invitation- "Find one you want to do and I'll take you on it".  Wha wha WHAT?  Oh yeah, I'm stoked.  Before we left I gave him a hug, thanked him a million more times and told him that I WILL take him up on it.

After we got home the reality sunk in.  I've got to get in shape for this- this man is an icon and I can't be huffing and puffing and begging him to wait on me the whole time.  I've got to be able to keep up.  And what will we talk about?  And I don't have any gear, what does one bring on a 5 hour hike?  OMG I've never hiked for 5 hours.  CAN I hike for 5 hours?  I start spilling all of this to Leonard who emphasizes that his dad is old and not in great shape any more.  "Um yeah, that's the problem, he's 60 something, had cancer and multiple heart attacks and STILL in better shape than me.  THAT is why I'm freaking out"  LOL.  I told Leonard that I don't think his dad takes me seriously.  So Leonard gives me a few tips- read the book ASAP, get back with him ASAP and talk to him.  He said to tell him which books I've read and that I know I need to lose weight and get in shape before I hike the AT but ask what I can be doing right now to prepare.  It was the first time I felt like Leonard actually even remotely supported my cause.

Well, when it was time to go to bed I couldn't sleep so I cracked open the book.  It's a guidebook outlining some of the best day hikes in the area.  There are 2 that lead up Green Mountain which is only a few minutes from where we live.  One is 4.8 miles round trip- 3 hours and the other is 9.0 miles round trip- 5 hours, both gain 1200 feet in elevation.  Sounds like a starting point.  The forecast for Thursday is good and it's my first of 5 days off- I'm doing it!  Well, now I definitely couldn't sleep so I decided to actually start at the beginning of the book and read everything, starting with the acknowledgements.  Guess who's mentioned there- you got it, Brad Albro, my father in law!  All I could do was smile.  I'm a lucky girl.

Seeking...

...a hiking partner for the Triple Crown!  That's right, I'm doing it.  I have my heart and head set on it and it's time to find some one else who's serious and wants to do it.  My time frame is about 5 years for the first one, most likely the AT.  At this point I'm very much a beginner, in fact I don't even own any gear, I've never had a pack on my back and haven't slept in a tent in 14 years.  I would like to hike with some one who at least has a clue, but probably not some one who's done the hike before.  I don't want to hike with some one who is a know it all, I think it would be fun to experience it together and learn along the way.  I'm not really sure where to look for this person, especially since I'm so incredibly anti-social... but as it is, I have nothing but time.

A Trail Angel

A Trail Angel is some one who helps a hiker along their way.  It can be anything, from giving rides, to giving a place to stay, to things as simple as providing a good meal.  Since I can't be on the trail just yet, I'm going to set my sights on being a Trail Angel.  I live fairly close to the Pacific Crest Trail... looks like about 2-3 hours away, directly east of us.  I'm thinking that maybe I'll see if I can connect with some one who's going to be passing through next year and meet up with them and provide something nice for them.  I'm so extremely stoked about this idea!!

A Place to Begin

I didn't know where to start, but I knew I had to start.  There is so much in my head about hiking, it's all I can think about.  Note I said "think about" not "do anything about".  I haven't been able to go on a real hike in a few years now, but I'm hoping 2013 will be my year.  I'm ready to get out there and smell the mountain air and get some mud on my boots.

Today I see an orthopedic doctor about my foot.  I've been diagnosed with a Morton's Neuroma and at this point it hurts so bad that just getting through a day at work is all I can bear.  So I work, I go home, I put my feet up and dream of hiking.

This is my place to get those dreams out of my head and into the world.  I'm looking forward to sharing all my dreams (and soon my hikes as well) with anyone who is interested in reading about them.