Mt. Baldy Wildness Area
I have to say that I am super sore from my hike today with the family. We had a great time and I am so proud of my little today. She hiked a total of 7.4 miles, with a total time gone of 4.5 hours. A long time for any short person, but she was a trooper. I couldn't be more proud of her for this one.
In anticipation for this hike, we made sandwiches and took some fruit with us, and of course, the water bags. As we are walking out the door to get to my parents house, she says to me that her bag is leaking. Sure enough, her water bladder is leaking and leaving a lot of water all over her back as well as a puddle in the bottom of her bag. Needless to say, she didn't take that bag today.
Finally was able to get on the road. Now for this hike, we drove up through the reservation to the turn off to Sunrise and Big Lake. Heading east bound, we continue to the parking lot for the hikers for the Mt. Baldy hike. It's 7 miles to the reservation line on way. My mom says that we have to do at least 5 miles today, so we head out at a good pace. (Sadly, I had forgotten my Garmin and MMR wasn't able to pick up cell service so I was out of it for actual miles and times. I wish I had remembered it.). The hiking is somewhat easy and we are all having a lot of laughs and enjoying the scenery.
Soon enough, we are faced with our first split in the trail. My mom, daughter and myself go upwards and my dad takes the trail that follows the water. It was a very hard incline and we were sweating pretty good by the time we finally met up again. We all seemed to shed out jackets at this point, and I shed my hat as well. Yes, I know, it's not the smartest most would say, but, I'm a rebel. The trail comes up on a meadow and the view of these rocks is so magnificent. They seem to look like giant cow pies, at least that's what my dad and daughter had said. I think they are likely from lava flow, but, who knows really. The formations were quite stunning to look at.
We get through this meadow and the path seems to get infinitely steeper and harder. Part of me is wanting to run at this point, but, in jeans, I think better of it. Besides, it's not nice to do that while everyone else is walking behind me. Mostly it was the jeans though. It takes a good long while for us to get to the base of these rock formations and let me tell you, they were nothing to sneeze at. So incredibly massive. I was awe struck for sure.
We stop at 3 miles and have a little snack break. I ate my sandwich and drank a lot of water, or so I thought. After our little break, we start off again, and this time, I am following my dad. We get to a spot maybe, 500 meters from where we just were and both of us look at each other and the only comment is holy shit! He laughs and says, you think so too. Of course is my reply and he says, that's good, I thought it was just me. Nope, I'm struggling here too. Another half mile we keep going, and we come to the top of the over look area.
This overlook area is so cool to see. We can see for miles and miles. I can see Big Lake and I am just taken back by the beauty that is right there at this look out. I took so many photos today too, so it's going to choke this whole entry with photos of this place.
My mom says that we have another half mile to go before we can turn around, so off we go into the forest some more. We finally hit our mark of 4 miles, due to my little being short with shorter legs than me and quite a bit out of shape right now. WE sit and take out our second sandwiches and begin our second little picnic. Thunder sounds and my dad says lets go. So we pack it up and start back down the mountain. I can hear them behind me saying something about going to the bath room, so they stop and my little and I keep moving forward, we are going to wait for them a bit up there some more.
We get back to the overlook and wait. We wait for what feels like a million years, but in reality is only about 5 minutes and they catch up with us so we keep going. My little and I are going and we stop at our lunch break area and wait again. There is a runner who comes by us and I'm so jealous of this. I want to be running this too. My parents are having fun just taking photos and small fry and I are just trucking right along.
My little is in front of me and we come down a switchback, she is a bit further ahead of me. I see her running towards me saying, BEAR! Holy Shit, I look up and see his little bear face, and I turn around and start going back towards my parents trying to yell to them that there is bear on the trail, I'm scared, what do I do? I am shaking so hard right now, and I'm sure this puts them into a panic mode too. I am told to make a lot of noise and make myself appear bigger than what I am. Arm myself with large rocks and we head back down, this time with no bear. I am shaking so violently that I am just a nervous wreck. We are walking single file down the mountain making as much noise as possible, close to each other as well. This is not how I wanted to have to deal with. I realize I am in the country with bears and there is always that possibility, but you never really want to see one.
After that passes and we feel comfortable again, the rocks are thrown down and we stay pretty close to each other just talking. The thunder is still all around and I am sure it will rain. It rains enough for me to take out my rain jacket, but, not actually really need it. Stupid rain. I was so hoping for it.
We get back to the big meadow and I realize that we are so close now. I am getting tired and ready for a nap at this point. At long last, we come to the trail head and next thing we know, we are once again in the parking lot putting our stuff away. The rain had clearly made it to the parking lot, just not quite to us.
The hike was amazing, it was a good long one, so that is good for me too. I am tired and pretty sure I will be very tired tonight when I finally hit my pillow. But for now, I am hoping to be mentally prepared for a nice run tomorrow morning.
Until then, Happy Running All~
In anticipation for this hike, we made sandwiches and took some fruit with us, and of course, the water bags. As we are walking out the door to get to my parents house, she says to me that her bag is leaking. Sure enough, her water bladder is leaking and leaving a lot of water all over her back as well as a puddle in the bottom of her bag. Needless to say, she didn't take that bag today.
Finally was able to get on the road. Now for this hike, we drove up through the reservation to the turn off to Sunrise and Big Lake. Heading east bound, we continue to the parking lot for the hikers for the Mt. Baldy hike. It's 7 miles to the reservation line on way. My mom says that we have to do at least 5 miles today, so we head out at a good pace. (Sadly, I had forgotten my Garmin and MMR wasn't able to pick up cell service so I was out of it for actual miles and times. I wish I had remembered it.). The hiking is somewhat easy and we are all having a lot of laughs and enjoying the scenery.
Soon enough, we are faced with our first split in the trail. My mom, daughter and myself go upwards and my dad takes the trail that follows the water. It was a very hard incline and we were sweating pretty good by the time we finally met up again. We all seemed to shed out jackets at this point, and I shed my hat as well. Yes, I know, it's not the smartest most would say, but, I'm a rebel. The trail comes up on a meadow and the view of these rocks is so magnificent. They seem to look like giant cow pies, at least that's what my dad and daughter had said. I think they are likely from lava flow, but, who knows really. The formations were quite stunning to look at.
We get through this meadow and the path seems to get infinitely steeper and harder. Part of me is wanting to run at this point, but, in jeans, I think better of it. Besides, it's not nice to do that while everyone else is walking behind me. Mostly it was the jeans though. It takes a good long while for us to get to the base of these rock formations and let me tell you, they were nothing to sneeze at. So incredibly massive. I was awe struck for sure.
We stop at 3 miles and have a little snack break. I ate my sandwich and drank a lot of water, or so I thought. After our little break, we start off again, and this time, I am following my dad. We get to a spot maybe, 500 meters from where we just were and both of us look at each other and the only comment is holy shit! He laughs and says, you think so too. Of course is my reply and he says, that's good, I thought it was just me. Nope, I'm struggling here too. Another half mile we keep going, and we come to the top of the over look area.
This overlook area is so cool to see. We can see for miles and miles. I can see Big Lake and I am just taken back by the beauty that is right there at this look out. I took so many photos today too, so it's going to choke this whole entry with photos of this place.
My mom says that we have another half mile to go before we can turn around, so off we go into the forest some more. We finally hit our mark of 4 miles, due to my little being short with shorter legs than me and quite a bit out of shape right now. WE sit and take out our second sandwiches and begin our second little picnic. Thunder sounds and my dad says lets go. So we pack it up and start back down the mountain. I can hear them behind me saying something about going to the bath room, so they stop and my little and I keep moving forward, we are going to wait for them a bit up there some more.
We get back to the overlook and wait. We wait for what feels like a million years, but in reality is only about 5 minutes and they catch up with us so we keep going. My little and I are going and we stop at our lunch break area and wait again. There is a runner who comes by us and I'm so jealous of this. I want to be running this too. My parents are having fun just taking photos and small fry and I are just trucking right along.
My little is in front of me and we come down a switchback, she is a bit further ahead of me. I see her running towards me saying, BEAR! Holy Shit, I look up and see his little bear face, and I turn around and start going back towards my parents trying to yell to them that there is bear on the trail, I'm scared, what do I do? I am shaking so hard right now, and I'm sure this puts them into a panic mode too. I am told to make a lot of noise and make myself appear bigger than what I am. Arm myself with large rocks and we head back down, this time with no bear. I am shaking so violently that I am just a nervous wreck. We are walking single file down the mountain making as much noise as possible, close to each other as well. This is not how I wanted to have to deal with. I realize I am in the country with bears and there is always that possibility, but you never really want to see one.
After that passes and we feel comfortable again, the rocks are thrown down and we stay pretty close to each other just talking. The thunder is still all around and I am sure it will rain. It rains enough for me to take out my rain jacket, but, not actually really need it. Stupid rain. I was so hoping for it.
We get back to the big meadow and I realize that we are so close now. I am getting tired and ready for a nap at this point. At long last, we come to the trail head and next thing we know, we are once again in the parking lot putting our stuff away. The rain had clearly made it to the parking lot, just not quite to us.
The hike was amazing, it was a good long one, so that is good for me too. I am tired and pretty sure I will be very tired tonight when I finally hit my pillow. But for now, I am hoping to be mentally prepared for a nice run tomorrow morning.
Until then, Happy Running All~
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