I’ve been more lax in hiking/walking so far this year, my excuse is because of the generally rainy weather, but in reality, I’ve just felt less enthused to get out. Sometimes lack of energy contributes(I tend to have low ferritin/iron levels so I take iron supplements).
Last Saturday, July 1, I woke up in the middle of the night with a massive headache in the back of my head/neck and it all but ruined my Saturday. I had planned to get up early to try hiking the 10 miles from Rattlesnake Lake to Snoqualmie Point, but once I took an Aleve to get rid of the headache, I went back to bed and didn’t get up until 8am, and then just really didn’t feel well until afternoon. We drove to Burien for mid afternoon lunch with K & D and M3 at the Huckleberry and I felt better after that. Don’t know really what caused the headache, but might be a little too much coffee over the past week. I love coffee. Hard to give up for a few days to get over the withdrawal. I’ll limit myself to one cup every couple days and see how that works out. I also found I’m about 7-10 lbs over my normal feel good weight. So time to give up extra helpings and snacks. AND need to keep moving.
On Sunday July 2 I did feel a little better, and forced myself to hike, went up to Snoqualmie Pass to the PCT south towards Windy Pass. Left the house about 0745 and started hiking about 0815. There were only a dozen cars in the huge lot, and the morning weather was gloriously clear and comfortably cool. It would warm up as the day went on, and I would warm up as the hike went on.
Going south from the trailhead, the first mile or so is gently up the ski slopes of Snoqualmie Pass ski areas. Its a fairly rocky trail that then gently slopes downward along the west side of the mountain paralleling I-90 as it comes up the pass. My first plan was to go only 3 miles in and turn around right above the Tunnel west entrance. But I decided to go another half mile to an old powerline access road and hiked upwards there until I found a nice big flat rock to rest on for a break and a snack. I made it there about 10:00. Nice views of Granite Moutain with its lookout on top.
After I rested for a half hour, I headed back. There were only a dozen people I saw on my way in, and twice that on my way out. Wasn’t crowded at all, a comfortable trail. I was back to the car about 1245 so just 4 and a quarter hours for about 7 total miles. It wasn’t too strenuous and I wasn’t too sore considering I’m out of shape. I slept well that night and got up early for work Monday morning without issue.
Since its a holiday Tuesday, Monday was supposed to be a half day at work, but I didn’t leave the office until 2pm. Got home about 3 and had Wendy drive me up to Rattlesnake Lake so I could walk east on the Iron Horse trail and then down to Twin Falls and home. It was 330 when I started, and other than the occassional biker, it was quiet and enjoyable. Again the weather was comfortable and cool. About one quarter of the way, I came to a new trail being built. It was clearly marked as under construction and closed. Looks like it will be new trail up to Mt Washington. Something to look forward to trying in the future.
When I got to the old Railroad stop of Ragnar about half way to the Twin Falls trail, there were a lot more fields of these Foxglove.
Got home about 545 so about 7 miles in 2.25 hrs. Wendy was preparing waffles and eggs for dinner and I was ready.
Tuesday July 4, got up at 5 to clear fish, had some water, then crawled back in bed still tired out from 2 days mileage. Got up at 8 and slowly got myself in gear to get back out and walk. Had a big bowl of oatmeal and got out the door about 1015. Just a couple miles down the road to the river then started walking at 1030 and went 3 miles up the Iron Horse trail towards Rattlesnake Lake. Lots of bicycles, and a couple walkers. Quiet otherwise, comfortable temp, and very enjoyable. Back by 1230 for 6 miles total.
Had an hours rest for coffee and a muffin on the patio, then started emptying the shed out to go thru everything, both to sort for what was still worth keeping, and also to look for any evidence of mice. No mice, but got rid of a couple big boxes worth of stuff. Then vacuumed it all while empty before reloading. Put up some more nails to hold tools, and got most everything back in nice and neet by 8pm. Job well done, I’m tired!
All told it was 20 miles in 3 days on my feet. I will have Wed and Thu to rest at work, then Friday planning to take off for a hike or walk with David.