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| Angie checks out Grizzly Medicine Lake |
Yesterday my friends Angie, Meredith and
Dave and I hiked in the east side of Glacier National Park, covering nearly 24 miles from the Cut Bank ranger station to St. Mary.
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| Meredith rock dancing |
Angie wanted to do a "long hike," so I found a long hike. I probably could have done with a slightly shorter hike, as this hike felt like it might kill me by the end, but it was all-in-all a lovely route. The hike up to Triple Divide Pass has the biggest most stereotypically awe-inspiring park views, while the rest of the hike, mostly level or downhill, was through burned forest and overgrown foliage.
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| The trali behind us back towards Cut Bank |
The long haul through the drainage was nonetheless scenic in its own way, and oftentimes the huge sections of fireweed or globemallow had an other-wordly quality that felt as if out of a fantasy novel.
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| The trail ahead towards Triple Divide Pass |
There were a couple of creek crossings and I experinced the foot maceration that I seem to be experiencing more and more frequently. It's pretty uncomfortable and is what ultimately caused me to drop/time-out of Western States a few years back. I guess I need to diligently change socks each time my feet get soaked or take the time to remove my shoes and socks and wear Chacos or something.
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| the view from Triple Divide Pass |
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| cool flower |
It was mostly the maceration that made the last miles of the hike tough for me, but I also felt pretty fatigued by the end. It left me wondering if I will ever regain enough fitness this summer to survive 1) my planned backpacking trip in Utah or 2) Slickrock 100 in October. Next weekend friends and I are hiking/running to Waterton, which will be around 30 miles. If I manage to *not* drink too much beer at my work summer party I might have a better sense of my fitness or lack thereof.
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| the drainage we hiked out of |
Today I am totally wiped. I have a hiking hangover. I'm not feeling any particularly rush to get out hiking again. Trying to pack an entire summer into 8 weeks (my best guess as to how long summer will be here this year) is exhausting.
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| endless Globemallow |
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| Dave leading the way home |
8 comments:
Aww....aww...man. What views!
BTW, I am not used to the heat, and I still hate it (and always will), I just do my best to suck it up and manage. What's the point to whine if I can't change my living for now? :) I surely would rather be where you are!!!
24 miles is pretty long. I have to laugh about the hiking hangover. Can totally relate. Also I carry light sandals for creeks....
Olga being in Austin more than makes up for the heat I'm sure. What a cool city you live in. Every place has its pros and cons!
Mary I'm thinking the sandals are a new necessity for my sensitive feet.
Hiking hangovers. When I get back from trips and am super tired, I call it an Adventure Hangover....lol. Great minds think alike!
24 miles is a long way. I would've been tired too! I bought water shoes from Walmart for $6 and they are light, dry fast, and have enough tread to keep me from falling off the rocks on stream crossings.
I hope you got yourself some well deserved PIE at the Park Cafe at the end!! Always the best follow up to a hike on the east side anytime!!
Beautiful. I'm jealous of the scenery. Hope I can get up to the park next year. I have no doubt you'll get in gear for backpacking and your 100.
The only thing worse than a hiking hangover is not having one.
Hair of the dog.
Go get 'em, Danni. Here's to hoping your feet find their way to feeling better soon. Your photos made me sigh. Again.
Oh, Danni. You'll rock it at the Slickrock 100! I still want to run a section with you although I have my doubts I'll be able to keep up. Regardless, those daylong Glacier hikes are no joke. I was pretty wasted after our Labor Day extravaganza last year.
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