"If I can do this, I can do anything"
That's how this was.
The funny thing is, if we knew what we were getting ourselves into,
we wouldn't have done it.
We actually got off at the area to go up to the weeping rock (which we've both done before). However, on our way we hit the sign showing us some options. It pointed out observation point - 4 miles
This photo is actually of the sign up & after the zigzag, not that^ one.
Some jerk etched in "Almost there"...he needs to fall off this cliff.
Now, I need to tell you something.
The map & guide they give you at the check in lists the trails in round trip miles. However, little did we know, the signs on the trails did NOT. So this little trip was 8 total miles.
Not bad, right? What's 8 miles? I'm a runner, I've ran a half-marathon for cryin' out loud, who's complaining?
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TRAIL?!?!??!
It's a BEAST.
NO JOKE.
Let me give you some stats of this climb:
In the hiking guide, they list the hikes under either easy, moderate, or strenuous.
It's hell strenuous.
The elevation change is 2148 feet
The elevation at the top is 6508 feet above sea level
It's the most difficult hike you can do without a guide or group.
The trail itself zigzags and looks like teeth trying to bite your legs off
(it does a pretty good job)
The "A" marker is not actually at the point of the trail like it should be, but still, look at this trail! Awesome.
Now we didn't realize what we got ourselves into until we were half-way up. Two miles in there was a sign that someone etched in "2 mi"......at that moment I thought seriously? SO I made Daniel stop and checked the map. Genius, right? Why didn't I do that sooner? I'm glad I didn't.
Instead of turning back, we figure we can do another two miles up this hell-hill. Another mile in we took our lunch break.
This consisted of Jimmy Johns.
YES.
It was absolutely AhMazing.
I would've taken a photo, but I was too busy stuffing my face. A guy noted our excellence on his way past us, it was pretty funny. Then we continued on up. At this point, no matter the pain or difficulty, we could not turn back.
At this point, it was a challenge to complete.
An adventure to conquer.
The view at the top made it worth it.
It was beautiful.
On March 25th 2013,
we took this adventurous moment
and put it in our Hall of Fame.
Now, the whole 4 miles we hiked up....must go down. The hike is suggested to take 6hrs. We started in the bus at exactly 1200 and got back in the bus at exactly 1622. That's 4hrs and 22 minutes! Including all the photo stops, lunch break, and general hell of a climb!! I was impressed with us!
However, that was not without cost. We went up that mountain in 3hrs. Which means down in ONE. We had some serious pain, soreness, and what felt like injury. Our toes screamed the entire way down. The next day introduced pain to Daniel's legs and to my hips. It didn't take too long to recover, though.
I feel ready for anything now.
Enjoy this film I put together with some of the photos and video clips from the hike.
Also, here is the flickr set with all the photos, including several not in the film.
WE DID IT.
Cool! Really Great!
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