Sometimes I go for the hard and swift hikes.
Thursday I took Hannah and left Charlie at home. I wanted to do a 'hard and swift' hike. I had the route all planned out.
I was using my running vest instead of a backpack.
They sort of look like this:
My average with Hannah was pretty fast. The fastest pace I set was 12 minutes for a mile. Hannah and I had a blast.
Whoo hoo!
With all of that aside, we saw some amazing sights. Imagine a valley floor covered in Dutchman's Breeches!
We found patches of Blood Root deep in the forest.
Alongside the trail we found hundreds of Trout Lilies.
I have this old coffee cup snapped to my belt loop so Hannah can drink out of it and eat kibbles so she can replenish her energy while I snack on a Protein Bar.
It works really quite well.
These were morning views from Bridge 15. I really have to keep an eye on Hannah, she is a daredevil and I wouldn't put it past her to jump off the bridge. I don't think she would but I've seen her do some crazy stuff and ... she likes water.
The West Ridge Trail
was lined with
Spring Beauties.
The Old Man Ice Cave looked rather sleepy when we went past.
👇
The Kickapoo River has been quite full for this month.
The backwaters have filled in and come right up to the paved trail. This area is teaming with life and will soon be producing hoards of 'skeeters and other bitey flying insects. Although, I am happy to see these areas full of water again.
Here is a link to a video. Every time we pass this spot on Little Canada Trail, she has the super zoomies. The Video is 19 seconds long and just of Hannah running up to the tree roots and then zooming around. Her pure Terrier/puppy joy creates warmth in my heart.
I'm putting it here so when I am blue, I can go back and watch it over and over again.
Our total distance for this hike [we did rest and I was very careful with Hannah]...was 8.47 miles. We got home before noon and spent the rest of the day working on flower beds.
A funny note about dogs. This was Hannah's second time on this trail. When we got a junction on Old 131 trail, she chose left which headed back to the parking area a mile away.
I imagine she either 'knew' which way was back or she was able to smell our backtrack.
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Below--->
Total time for 5.65 miles: 1 hour:53 minutes. Rated as Moderately Difficult.
Trails taken: Old 131, Little Canada, Ice Cave Trail, start at Parking area on County P
Gear: Running Vest with water, First Aid kit, Food
Gear: Running Vest with water, First Aid kit, Food
Foot Gear: Merrill Trail Running Shoes
Temperature: 73 F, Humid, North breeze
Additional easy/slow hike to the pond near the Mule Trail and back to County P Parking
Distance: 2.70 miles
Trail: Old 131, flat, paved
Time: 1 hour:02 minutes.
Distance: 2.70 miles
Trail: Old 131, flat, paved
Time: 1 hour:02 minutes.
Rest and recovery walk/hike.
At the end of May, I am doing a Birthday Hike to celebrate my 7th decade here on Earth. The goal is to hike at least 15 miles to mark it.
I often use a post to help me remember what I did. Good for you! I went ditch diving and forgot water. I nearly passed out!
ReplyDeleteOh Wow! Yes, we used all the water I had brought between the two of us. On the long long hike, I will have to stick a water bladder in the running vest.
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