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| Hiking | 13.00 Miles |
1,470 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.00 Miles | 5 Hrs 24 Mns | | 2.65 mph |
| 1,470 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | It's Tracey's day off and she prefers cooler temps so this was a good option. Since we have hiked and biked the first 10 miles or so from southern end of #28 we chose an SOBO out-and-back from Gooseberry.
The upper-60's temperature was nice for a start and for most of the SOBO leg we were in the shade. Less than a half-mile from the start we heard loud crashing off to the side, which turned out to be a single elk. Unfortunately, although we encountered many fresh deer and elk tracks along the trail, that single elk would be the extent of our wildlife sightings for the day. Later we would encounter a trio of cows but they don't count as wildlife.
Tracey's usual eagle-eye spotted a hunting tree-stand right next to Maxie Tank. While as far as hunting regs are concerned that is ok. However, leaving private property on National Forest Land is subject to the domain of finders keepers, not that we had any use for a tree-stand.
We got off-track once at the FR6058/FR135D junction, where when traveling SOBO the natural thing is to continue straight ahead onto FR 6058 but the trail branched right continuing on FR 135D. We didn't go far before realizing there were no AZT stickers. This is of no consequence when NOBO not only because it's natural to continue on FR 135D but also because there are AZT stickers visible from that direction. If an AZT sticker were added on the north side of FR 135D sign that would alleviate the problem.
We had only planned on 5 miles SOBO before turning back, but we'd been moving pretty well so we decided to continue until we found a good spot for our lunch/nap break... all we sought were three features: shade, a rock to sit/lay on and a breeze. Luckily we got all three. The location was pleasant enough our usual 10-minute break extended to a full half-hour.
It was a good thing we spent the extra time to rest. I had a growing pain in the ball of my right foot so I took off my boots and gave my feet a rest after a quick massage. It worked wonders because I didn't notice any pain the rest of the hike.
By time we were headed back NOBO it had warmed up and now with little shade to be had, along with still-noticeable humidity we could feel the heat. With no new ground to cover I put my legs in cruise-control mode for the return trip.
When we returned to the TH there were two new piles of gravel, for what purpose, we could only guess. |
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