Bare with me with the photos here. I can't seem to move them or delete them on my phone so they are out of order for the story but you can follow along for now.
The ankle has been better, not sure if it was better enough for a hike but the boots are tall and felt pretty secure and I was willing to back out of anything.
I had no real plan but the temperature was going up and the sun was coming out. Sort of at the last minute I decided to check this trail out. It is on my Summer wish list for the kids as it is supposed to be pretty easy with a "jackpot" of a view.
I brought my snowshoes but there just didn't seem to be that much snow and the trail was pretty packet down already. I opted with just the poles. This turned out to be the best decision of my life.
The way up was pretty quick with lots of steps but also lots of ice. Thick ice covered by the 3 inches of snow. The pole helped but I still fell twice on the way up.
Like most things you forget all the bad stuff when you see this. Fucking Amazing pretty much covers it. I stayed and ate and decided to move along because there were 2 other people in the prime view spot and they looked to be there for the long run.
I decided to take a different trail down. Looked less traveled so less trampled and I hoped to have better footing on the way back.
Hahahaha!! Yeah, no.
In a short amount of time I am on the ground for the second or third time in the decent and a lot of factors start to hit. My phone is almost dead and the back up charger isn't working, the ankle hurts, I am currently traveling in the opposite direction of my car and I CAN NOT go back up the way I just came down.
So here's the thing-
I started to think of the things I did have. I had a pack with food, water, a headlamp and extra clothes. I also have a crazy will that has gotten me through a lot and it would get me out of here.
Breathe and use your brain woman!
So I slowed down. I side stepped down all the down grades and left the trail if I had to to get fresh crunchy snow. I also used those poles. If they slid I knew I was going down. Something I found out a couple times already and my wrist, ankle and ass were well aware of.
I soon came to a fork and another fork just about 20 ft farther with a sign directing me back to Rt 113. The problem with deciding to take the Col Trail? It was fresh. No footprints. But the other way kept me going away from where I knew I needed to be. ( a compass would have been good here)
The fresh snow helped but I still side stepped, checked the trail with the poles and traveled slow. Plenty of daylight left.
These pictures show the shrinking blue sky I was walking away from and the very dark grey sky I was headed towards. Trust me we made up time on the flats for this reason when it was safe.
I did get to cross a creek with a natural dam on my left. I enjoyed a waterfall and that creek for the remainder of my travels. I don't know why but the sound of it washed away the bad parts and I found myself walking downs dirt road, unplowed just smiling. I'm a fool like that. When the hike does it's job I am just walking along grinning.
I finally can see sun and hear cars and I pop out on the road again. Little did I know I was about a mile from my car but the road was mostly untraveled and clear. I also got to enjoy another creek on the opposite side of the road.
I decided to take the back roads back and got to drive through towns. Along the way I saw a truck driving across the lake. I'm, it's 50 degrees. Yikes!! And a guy kite boarding. That was pretty neat.
All in all, my body is sore and I am starving so I accomplished exactly what I love.
This hike will be good for the hits and easy enough for Ava is we go up and back the main front trail in SUMMER!
Now spike and compass shopping.
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