Talapus & Olallie Lakes; 2/21/2015

February 21, 2015

Winter in the PNW this year has been disappointing if, like me, you enjoy snow. I love it. There is nothing better than snowshoeing down a trail. All sounds are muffled by a blanket of snow and you are truly at one with yourself. It is out on these trips that I find peace and realign my chi. While the rest of the country is being blasted and buried under record snowfalls, there is simply no snow in our part of the country. None. The mountains are so bare they look naked. The positive side to this unusual winter weather pattern is that more trails are available for early-season hiking that are normally inaccessible or open only to those on snowshoes or skis. The trail to Talapus and Olallie lakes is one such trail.

My sister, Heidi, and hiker buddies Jeanne and Holly joined me for a morning hike to these two neighboring lakes in the Alpine Wilderness backcountry area. Oh, and what a beautiful morning it was. The low-laying cloud cover dissipated as we neared the trailhead and we were blessed with clear blue skies for our hike. The trail itself was wet in places, but we survived the Bridal Veil Falls trail, so we can handle just about anything now. As a professional photographer, Heidi is always drawn to sights that others usually pass right on by, so I hung back with her, watching in amazement as she framed in shot after shot. The elevation gain was steady with only a few switchbacks thrown in to temper the steeper portions. When we reached Talapus lake at 1.75 miles in, I was surprised we were there already.

 

Just another 1.5 miles of steady climb up the trail, Olallie Lake awaited us. As we climbed, we started see a little light snow dusting on the side of the trail - the only hint that we were above 3500 feet in elevation. With the climb in elevation there also came a drop in temperature, we had all layered, but were still feeling the chill in the air as we hiked. Olallie Lake was fully covered in snow, in the shadow of snow-dusted Banderos Peak and truly beautiful.

 

We had lunch there at Olallie then headed back down. Again, my speed on the descent had me well behind my partners. I felt as though my downhill speed was picking up, but I was still lagging. Heidi hung back with me and I discussed my concerns with her, especially about my knees and hips as both were bothering me a bit. She hikes and backpacks far more than I, so had encouraging words and some conditioning suggestions. I have begun some yoga strengthening exercises in the evenings that will hopefully help. Time and persistence will be key in ensuring I come off Mt St Helens feeling accomplished, not whipped.

As of this writing, my left hip flexor is still bothering me and I am looking into some therapeutic massage.

Total miles hiked: 6.2
Elevation gain: 1220 ft

 

 



Rattlesnake Ledge; 2/14/2015

February 14, 2015

Valentine's Day. A day for sweethearts, for those in love. For those of us who are single, it's a reminder of our single status. That is, unless your love is the outdoors, like mine is. Since I don't have a sweetie to spoil and pour myself into, I chose to hike a trail that has long been on my bucket list. In my mind I pictured hiking up to the picturesque ledge with one of my beloved dogs, enjoying the sunset, and heading back down the trail in the dark. With it being Valentine's Day, I didn't anticipate sharing the trail with many others - surely girls would rather be taken out to dinner, right? Apparently I misjudged the romantic nature of my fellow PNW ladies, as the trail was packed with casual hikers from the city ... and their dogs. I had chosen Benny to hike the trail with me, as he is the most fit of my dachshunds, but he's not exactly known for his pleasant social skills, which was more of a hassle than I'd hoped for. My hiking buddy Jeanne joined me as well, with her brother-in-law and son.

The trail elevation was a steady climb with few obstacles. I wouldn't say I powered up it, but only had to stop a few times to catch my breath - which, considering the number of people I had to stop for, I had ample opportunities provided me. Once at the top, the view didn't disappoint. The ledge was packed with couples - there was even a wedding - all with the same thought of watching a romantic sunset from a truly awesome vantage point. Benny and I carved out a spot for ourselves and shared some snacks and water. We decided that although the sunset would be lovely, we didn't want to be stumbling down the trail with the horde of people up on that ledge, so we headed back down early.

I continue to have trouble with the descents and find myself lagging behind my hiking partners. I can see that I am going to need to employ some cross-training to help me in my conditioning if I am going to keep up with my hiking partners on subsequent hikes, not to mention our ascent up Mt St Helens. My hip flexors and knees vexed me the entire following day.

Miles hiked: 4.0
Elevation gain: 1160 ft.

Bridal Veil Falls; 2/7/2015

There's something to be said for hiking in the rain. Firstly, you're bound to encounter fewer people out on the trail - the fair weather hikers are all home watching television. Secondly, the smells of a wet forest are absolutely heavenly. Thirdly, you are able to test the water-repellency of your gear.

With that said, three friends joined me for what would become a water adventure on the Bridal Veil Falls trail on Stevens Pass. It had rained continuously for a few days but we were anxious to get our conditioning under way, so headed out undaunted by the forecast of heavy precipitation. Forecast aside, the amount of water on the trail caught us by surprise. We were basically hiking through a stream on its way downhill. We had to make multiple stream crossings, which wouldn't normally have been a big deal had the volume of water in the rain-swollen streams not pushed them over top of all the stepping stones. My feet were the first to get wet as we skipped our way across stream after stream, but by the time we reached the falls, we were all pretty much soaked. Fortunately, the rain was warm and there was no wind ... until we reached the top. The wind that blew up there chilled us to the bone. We stayed just long enough for a few quick photos then headed back down.

I seem to be really struggling with the downward treks. I fell behind by a few minutes so got to enjoy the solitude and hearing the raindrops hitting the tree canopy above me. My knees and quads seemed to be the areas that were needing the most attention. I have structural issues which lead to additional stresses on my hips and knees that need to be overcome and worked around. Strengthening, conditioning and persistence will be my keys to success.

Miles hiked: 4 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 1180 ft

Grey Wolf River; 1/17/2015

January 17, 2015

All journeys must begin somewhere. My return journey to Mt St Helen's rim began with a hike on the Grey Wolf River Trail outside of Sequim, Wa. with my new hiking buddy, Jeanne.

The trail guides state this is an 8.4 mile trail with 800' elevation gain. What they fail to mention is that it's 800 feet down, then 800 feet up, then 400 down, 400 up, 800 down ... you get the picture. It was my first hike of the year, and a good one on which to judge my current level of conditioning.
There were many trees down across the trail from the winter's storms, which slowed our travel a bit. None posed so much a problem, however, that we were unable to proceed. So over, under and around them we went. It was fun, actually.

The river was spectacular and well worth the effort it took to get there. We stopped mid-way for lunch at the river's edge. At the point near the trail's end, there had been a washout and the detour took us almost straight up. It was here we decided to turn around - we were only about 1/2 mile from where we would have to turn back any way.

 

The weather the entire day had been gray with low lying clouds giving a misty look to the river and forest. It didn't start to rain on us until the last mile. By the time we reached the car our boots were quite muddy, and we were thankful that we'd mostly stayed dry. My legs were tired, as we'd had to crawl over and under a dozen or so fallen trees, but it was a 'good' tired.

 

Points to work on: Endurance. Quad, knee & hip flexor strength. Speed. 

Returning to the Rim

In 2012 I was invited by friends to hike on Mt St Helens. I hadn't been out hiking in that area since I was a child, so I jumped on the opportunity. I then called my sister, who hikes more frequently than I, and asked her what trails were out there and what to expect. Of course, I didn't know what side of the mountain or any other particulars, other than I needed to pay for my permit. My sister informed me that if I needed a permit, I would be climbing to the rim of the crater. I jaw dropped. What an opportunity! It had been 32 years since Mt St Helens erupted and I was going to have an opportunity to see, first hand, the devastation and healing.

I met my friends at the climber's bivouac the day before our climb and pitched my tent. Excitement, and rocks, kept me from a full night's sleep. Nevertheless, I awoke the next morning ready for my 9-mile hike up to the top. I was totally unprepared for what lay waiting for me just above the treeline ... a boulder field that stretched roughly 2.5 miles. This meant I spent the next few hours climbing up and over chunks of mountain that ranged in size from basketballs to VW Beetles. By the time I got past the boulder field to the bottom of the scree field (the next fun adventure the mountain had in store for us), I wasn't sure I could/should go on. I was so close to the crater rim that I could see it, but my leg muscles were trembling in protest. I contemplated staying there and resting while the rest of my group gloried in their ascent to the summit. In the end, my will won out and I labored my way to the top. We celebrated our victory, took photos and rested.

The trip down was even worse. My legs screamed in protest and fought to carry me back down over the torturous boulder field. By the time we reached the serenity of the treeline and its modest trail, my body was spent. To say I was proceeding at a turtle's pace would be giving me too much credit - a slug could have passed me. About half a mile from the trailhead, I stepped down over a tree root and my legs actually collapsed. They could take no more. By the time I reached my car, I could barely lift my feet. Then I had to make the 4+ hour drive home. It was official - Mt St Helens had kicked my butt. Royally.

It is now 2015. I've had 3 years to lick my wounds and I've decided that it is time that I go back. I don't want to conquer the mountain - she has taught me new level of respect for her indomitable spirit. I would, however, like to share in her power, re-visit the glorious crown of her crater, and make it back down in one piece. This year I am training. I am conditioning. I will be prepared. This year I know what lays beyond that treeline and I will be ready...