Sunday, 15 March 2015
5 kilometer
Jenny and I did the Shamrock 5K walk. It was pouring rain earlier, but was only drizzling for our 9:45am start. Had a couple of Widmer Hefs at the finish to counter the effects of the walk.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Elk Mountain / King's Mountain Loop
Saturday, 07 March 2015
7.2 mile day hike (me, TJ and Terri)
Wow, what a tough hike. I was not prepared for this one.
TJ, Terri and I took two cars. We parked my car at the Kings Mountain TH. We then drove and parked at the Elk Mountain TH. The Elk Mountain Trail gains about 1900 feet in 1.4 miles! We were huffing and puffing for sure. We started at about 9am and it was a little chilly, but we warmed up quickly. Trekking poles were worthless on the more steep sections where we were scrambling on all fours. Beautiful day and nice view at the top. Descending from the top is initially very steep, but then gets better. Once you get to the junction of the Elk and Kings Mountain trails, the "fun" soon begins again with steep ups and downs. There is even a section where the Mazamas have put a rope. Probably overkill, but I can see how this would be essential when the trail is wet. The last pitch up to the Kings Mountain summit is sublimely ridiculous. I was literally throwing my trekking poles up the trail, then scambling on all fours up the trail to retrieve them. After a rest and a snack, we headed down Kings Mountain. I have done this section before and it is steep too, losing 2500 feet of elevation in 2.5 miles.
Boy was I glad we took two cars. We avoided the 3.5 mile section of the Wilson River Trail which connects the Kings Mountain and Elk Mountain Trails.
TJ and Terri are in better shape than me and I'm afraid I held them back. We only averaged a little better than 1 MPH. TJ was smart enough to pack a beer cooler in the car and boy did that taste good. After that, we had dinner at Golden Valley Brewery on their dime. Life is good!
7.2 mile day hike (me, TJ and Terri)
Wow, what a tough hike. I was not prepared for this one.
TJ, Terri and I took two cars. We parked my car at the Kings Mountain TH. We then drove and parked at the Elk Mountain TH. The Elk Mountain Trail gains about 1900 feet in 1.4 miles! We were huffing and puffing for sure. We started at about 9am and it was a little chilly, but we warmed up quickly. Trekking poles were worthless on the more steep sections where we were scrambling on all fours. Beautiful day and nice view at the top. Descending from the top is initially very steep, but then gets better. Once you get to the junction of the Elk and Kings Mountain trails, the "fun" soon begins again with steep ups and downs. There is even a section where the Mazamas have put a rope. Probably overkill, but I can see how this would be essential when the trail is wet. The last pitch up to the Kings Mountain summit is sublimely ridiculous. I was literally throwing my trekking poles up the trail, then scambling on all fours up the trail to retrieve them. After a rest and a snack, we headed down Kings Mountain. I have done this section before and it is steep too, losing 2500 feet of elevation in 2.5 miles.
Boy was I glad we took two cars. We avoided the 3.5 mile section of the Wilson River Trail which connects the Kings Mountain and Elk Mountain Trails.
TJ and Terri are in better shape than me and I'm afraid I held them back. We only averaged a little better than 1 MPH. TJ was smart enough to pack a beer cooler in the car and boy did that taste good. After that, we had dinner at Golden Valley Brewery on their dime. Life is good!
View of Kings Mountain from Elk Mountain summit
Descending the dreaded rope section
TJ, Terri and Reid atop Kings Mountain
TJ, Terri and Reid atop Elk Mountain
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