Day 12- 8/27/18, 19.6 + 1 Mile to town
3457ft up, 3930ft down
Brusk Creek mi 157.8 to Twin Lakes mi 177.4
The Day I Hike Alone
MarioPolo had to go back to the Trailhead to resupply with his father-in-law this morning, and was then only going to hike to the Mt Massive Trailhead. He wants to climb it tomorrow. Well, I had a choice, I could either plan on camping alone tonight, and get to Twin Lakes tomorrow for my reservation tomorrow night. Or push hard today and hope they had an open room when I got there. Well, you can imagine what I did! We were both awake around 5 and we’re all packed up standing in the dark looking at each other around 5:50/6 literally waiting for it to get light enough to hike without twisting an ankle. We stomped around for a few minutes…in the dark cold oh yeah, and rainy morning then about 6:15 said goodbye to each other and took off in opposite directions. Twin Lakes here I come.
Today I hiked up and over the flanks of Mt. Massive then down off of the mountain, then up and over the flanks of Mt. Elbert, and again all the way back down to Twin Lakes which is at one of the lowest elevations we have been at for awhile now. Basically, a lot of up and down, heavily wooded, and mostly lonely trails. Not my favorite kind of hiking. Oh well, I made it a challenge to see what I could do. I did stop between Massive and Elbert at the creek to soak my feet, dry out wet gear from the rain the night before and eat lunch. It was a nice break.
Most thankful for …. that God gave me a body that can hike miles!
I saw God today….. there was a super steep 1000ft climb right off the bat this morning so I took it easy and about 800 feet up .75 mikes I found a beautiful place to have breakfast on a little knoll with a beautiful view of Turquoise Lake AND sunshine!!!! Had a nice long breakfast, Bible study, Praise songs. Then combed my hair, washed my face, brushed my teeth sunscreen etc. One of my favorite moments on the trail. A real gem, and got me motivated for the rest of the day.
What I ate for supper…mushroom and rice soup and a strawberry spinach salad with brownie a la mode in Twin Lakes!!
What I learned today…I am looking forward to having hiking partners again after Twin Lakes!
Most favorite part of the day…the morning breakfast time.
Least favorite part of the day… Crossing Mt Massive’s flanks/ridges. I have hiked this stretch of trail before and climbed Massive itself, so I knew what I was in for today. Lots of steep climbed with lots of wooded views going over the flanks of Massive then doing it again over Elbert. It’s not my favorite part of the trail. Pretty much on Massive from Turquoise Lake you climb about 1000 feet contour for a mile or two loose about 1000 feet to Rock Creek then gain 1200 feet to another ridge and contour waving up and gown for about 4 miles then loose 1000 feet. Then you climb Elbert’s flanks but thankfully not as high only about 500-600 feet and contour through several drainages loosing and gaining approx 200-300 feet then the final descent to Twin Lakes is long and steep loosing around 1300+ feet. And if you hike the East Collegiate route it’s more of the same for like 4-5 more mountains. Yes I’ve hiked it. That’s why we are trying the West Collegiate route this time around!
Most useful gear of the day… my headphones this afternoon I finished s book with a mile or two to go!
You know there will be days like this when you are hiking from point A to point B, but I was just thinking a full zero day on the 28 would be nice do I pushed through to get there. It just isn’t much fun to be hiking alone, miss my hike partner Michaela! I was super excited to make it to town by about 5:30 tonight and looking forward a shower and a movie on TV! Oh yeah, and a whole day tomorrow to put my feet up and rest. My knee is feeling all the down hill from the past week.
On a side note, my pack and insoles are amazing!!!