Post 900 Hike #74: A Rocky Mountain High

After a visit to my mother-in-law in Nebraska, my wife and I proceeded to Breckenridge CO where she, as a participant with Cabela's Trophy Properties, attended a conference at Beaver Run Ski Resort. Breckenridge (~3,000 residents but in winter ~36,000--the largest ski-resort area in U.S.) has a quaint downtown; although somewhat like Gatlinburg, most shops are old and history plays a big role.



In our second day my original intent was to hike a 7.8 mi. trail, and then work my way to the upper portion of a ski slope and go to its top. However, after going 2-3 miles on Burrow Trail I realized that (1) the new memory card for my camera was not functioning leaving room for only taking ~6 pics and (2) the battery in my Omron pedometer was dead. Thus I chose to retrace my steps and drive into town to a camera shop; I assumed that they could get the memory card that I had purchased there to function (I had forgotten to bring my camera manual).

When I got back to Beaver Run ski resort I decided on a Plan B, namely to just follow this resort’s ski lift (Ski Mountain #9) to its terminus, and then return. (On the way up I realized that another ski lift went under #9 and I followed it; if I were not careful on the way down I could get lost and be at a different ski resort.) Until today taking the AT up Thunderhead going West was the steepest trail that I had hiked; after today ranked a distant second. (Keep in mind that this type of a trek is not a ski run nor is it a hiking trail; it is merely a “path” for a ski lift up a mountain.) I passed a couple areas that still had snow in the shade, yet I was not uncomfortable in my short sleeves. (I burned a few calories.)









The second picture (tips up) denotes the end point of the lift; adjacent to it was an altitude sign. I went a little beyond this point because a taller ridge was there. Although I contemplated hiking that ridge, I did like the idea that I would at first have to go down prior to going up. I guess that being alone was also a factor so I just took its picture.



I took the last picture shortly after starting down. In the valley is Breckenridge with mountains on its far side too. Because of the steepness, going down was not such great fun; my zig-zags going down were longer than those going up. When I came to a road I started taking it for I assumed that it would have a switch-back shortly; however, I walked back when I realized that although it would take me to Breckenridge, I might have no idea where I was. I also came across some mountain bikers; however, I decided that I should just endeavor to return the same way that got me there.

Post 900 Hike #73: Kanati Fork, Noland Divide, Newton Bald

Since Ellie and BZ were unavailable to schedule hikes for today, it became my responsibility. (Believe I’ll also be responsible for scheduling 5 hikes in July and perhaps all of the August with BZ on some.) Because the last two hikes have been long or required trips to the East side of the Park, I wanted to schedule relatively modest hikes that did not require extremely long driving distances. However, I was having difficulty coming up with something so I just said meet at Food Lion at 0800 and will try to figure out something. Then I received hikes that five different individuals wanted to do; moreover, three of the hikes were requested by individuals working to meet requirements for the 900 Mile Association. Although I posted all hikes, I elected to facilitate (1) Road Prong and Chimney Tops (9.1 mi., requested by Emma Penson) and (2) Kanati Fork, Thomas Ridge, and Newton Bald (~11.3 mi., requested by Debra Barton).

To facilitate #1 I told this group of four that I would pick them up at the Chimney Tops parking lot (where they were to finish) and take them to Indian Gap (where Road Prong starts). I chose to do Debra Barton’s hike in part because it was the longest and it also needed more takers (Andy Marquardt had committed to go with me for what would be only his 2nd hike; I had no idea who Debra was.)

I picked up Andy at the old Atlanta Bread Co. in Alcoa at 0745; we arrived at Food Lion at 0755. Debra saw me exit my vehicle and introduced herself; because there were just three of us, both she and I would drive and then do a car shuttle. Checked with Emma’s group of four and we were still on the same page. No additional hikers were at SVC. Andy went with Debra to a Smokemont parking area; I joined them after (1) picking up the Road Prong hikers at the Chimney Tops parking lot and (2) dropping them off at Indian Gap. We then went in my SUV to the Kanati Fork trailhead.

I encouraged Debra to lead because I had no clue on how fast she was comfortable hiking. I slowly adjusted my Leki poles to length at the trailhead; at 1007 I got my start ~3 min. behind them. Because we had 2100 ft. of climb in this trail’s 2.9 miles, I thought that I would catch Debra and Andy momentarily. I did not for Debra set a very good pace; she is one strong hiker. I learned that she’ll complete the 900 on Friday; I was surprised that we had never really met. It took us 78 min. to complete this relatively difficult 2.9 mi.; it was at that point that the picture was taken.

Thomas Divide had a little up and a little down; it's a nice trail. When we reached Campsite 52 on Newton Bald we were faked out re which path was the trail; if you're going down as we were, just stay to the right of the lines used to keep food out of bear reach. I came up Newton Bald a few years ago alone; the trail continuation in that direction is clear. Newton Bald has an abundance of switchbacks and ~2,800 ft. of down from the Campsite in its last 4.6 mi. I neglected to record when we finished Newton Bald; perhaps one of my cohorts will let me know. (Omron data: 11.87 mi., 22,733/26,174 steps were aerobic; 949 kcal & 65.3 grams of fat burned.)

Prologue: On Andy’s first hike two weeks ago he was not really tested for it was basically a downhill hike, and because we would have to wait for the bus, we took it easy. (I would much rather speed going up and take downs slowly.) To find that Andy is a very strong hiker was no surprise. It also appears that his X-C skiing experience has translated well to good stick use; I think that was a factor in helping me too (with some it just looks like the sticks are along for the ride). Both Andy and I started hiking with a running background, and we still run; I think that running contributes to hiking ability but not the reverse. I did not ask Debra if she was a runner but she showed me that she is an exceptionally competent hiker. The three of us alternated leading throughout the hike; I doubt that I have ever been in a group of three or more in which everyone could go at anyone’s speed.

Post 900 Hike #72: Balsam Mtn, Mnt Sterling Ridge, Pretty Hollow Gap, Palmer Creek

In Ellie’s absence BZ Lane and I scheduled hikes this week; the ones scheduled were Cataloochee-area hikes and we encouraged individuals striving to gain admittance to the 900 Mile Association to give us hike ideas. The hike that I elected to go on was organized by Dick Ledyard; it included the following Cataloochee-area trails: Balsam Mtn—4.3 mi., Mt Sterling Ridge—3.9 mi., Pretty Hollow Gap—4.0 mi., and Palmer Creek—3.3 mi.

John Hutsenspiller picked me up at Lake Side Market ~0600; we proceeded to Food Lion and picked up Dick Ledyard. Then we were off to our hike via: US 321 and Little River Road to SVC, US 441 to Cherokee, Blue Ridge Parkway to Heintooga Ridge Rd and then to Balsam Mtn Rd. We left John’s vehicle at the Palmer Creek Trail head (our terminus) and then walked 0.8 miles on Balsam Mtn Rd to Pin Oak Gap and the Balsam Mtn trail head.

We started on Balsam Mtn trail at 0921; it is a relatively easy trail with a 1,000 ft gain in its 4.3 miles. Shortly after we started I elected to go first to endeavor to get my aerobic workout for the day; however, I only got my HR up to 145. At 1031 I had covered the 4.3 mi. and reached Mt. Sterling Ridge Trailhead. (The picture shows John and Dick by the trail sign there.) The latter 3.9 mi. trail is quite flat; I believe that John lead and we arrived at Pretty Hollow Gap at 12:30. We all ate lunch and I aired by feet and changed socks (my new regimen). At 12:52 we heard a little thunder and began on Pretty Hollow Gap Trail; John led for he was thinking of also doing a 0.8 mi. segment of Little Cataloochee trail (this would be an extra 1.6 mi. for him in order to get back to our next trail--Palmer Creek. (On our way down Pretty Hollow Gap we met Martha Frink, Martha Norton, and Barbara Slover; they were doing up and back on Pretty Hollow Gap for their 2nd 900.) We took it easy and finished this trail at 1437.

At 1438 we started on Palmer Creek; this trail has a 1500 ft climb in its 3.3 mi.; somewhere past mile 2 I realized that it had more “up” than I had anticipated. I then led in hopes of getting my HR to 150 (~3 times my sitting resting pulse) I am not sure when I started to use that as a challenge. I was able to reach my HR goal shortly and then slacked off; if the trail had had a level (or down stretch) my HR would have been in the 120's to 130's, but it stayed above 140 bpm for the rest of the way. Because I had not expected this much continual climb, I was quite happy to arrive at John’s car at 1558 (my pedometer registered 16.06 mi., 32,423 aerobic steps & 1275 kcal. burned. I then iced my knee; shortly thereafter Dick provided iced drinks that really hit the spot.

We then set out for home, continuing on Straight Fork Rd, Big Cove Rd, US 441 from Cherokee to SVC, Little River Rd, Wears Valley Rd. and US 321 (it really rained hard on latter), Hall Rd., US 129 (where John dropped me off at its junction with Topside Rd, ~2 mi. from my home). I arrived home ~1915; my Airedale Terrier Winston was extremely delighted to see me. He was also very hungry.