#hike24

Date: July 22, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park - Glen Rose, TX

Distance: 4.3 miles

Trails: Cedar Brake Outer Loop (partial), Cedar Ridge

See the trail map HERE

Today's hike at Dinosaur Valley did not include wet feet, cool temps, or many interactions with people.  The hike did include nice breezes, solitude, and plenty of sunshine.  I had a late start this morning, due to staying up way too late, and I was ready to call the whole thing off.  Then, I saw some inspiring words on social media, went for it.  It was 7:45 am when I left the house, arriving at the park around 8:30.  The temps were just below 90 at this point, but still tolerable with the breeze and shade.  As I made my way through my familiar trail, it started to warm up and the flies became more aggressive.  By the time I was done, the temp had climbed to nearly 100.

This week I braved the temperature, embraced the sweat, and said screw the bad vibes.  I often get in my own way, mentally speaking, about going out for a hike in the summer.  It is hot, it is buggy, it is dry, and it is excessively sunny.  Today proved that I can survive and adapt, quite easily actually, so it is as if I cleared this road block for future hikes this summer.  No more excuses!  Sweat wicking shirts, hats, ice cubes in my CamelBak, sunscreen, and bug spray are all I need.

there are a lot of photos here. as well as this being quite a long post. yesterday i went out to the gorge to hike and spent the day climbing larch mountain. while i didn’t make it to the top i did hike a total of seventeen miles. the longest hike i have done for this challenge so far has been 5.3. so this is a step up. so we have an express bus that you can pay for and catch to take you to both multnomah falls and rooster rock state park on fridaym saturday, and sunday. i had less than a few hours of sleep, waking up at seven in the morning, in order to catch the first bus at 8:45a.

i had researched this hike and found it was a fourteen and a half mile hike, over 4,000 feet in elevation, and would take about nine hours. i only had nine hours until the last bus left multnomah falls. i had set a phone alarm to let me know when it was 1:45p because i would turn around at two regardless of where i was in order to get back to the bus on time. i went in with the notion it was difficult and challenging as everywhere i read said it was. i knew i was in for quite the hike.

the hike starts at multnomah falls, heading up towards the upper falls vewpoint. if you head there before turning onto the larch mountain #441 trail it will make the hike fourteen and a hald miles. i instead went straight for the trail. you pass by various waterfalls along multnomah creek and go under dutchman tunnel. you cross some footbridges and generally stay along the creek. it was not long after that i got turned around. my lack of a sense of direction had me read a sign wrong. instead of turning onto the larch mountain trail, where it continues, i accidentally went on multnomah basin road thinking it was the trail. i did have a nice conversation with another hiker though staying at a lodge nearby. the hike here was beautiful still. when i went past neska lodge and felt i was going the wrong way i went back and the people there were so sweet, i got directions and was even offered a cookie. by this point i had wasted close to two miles.

once i found my trail it was time for 4,000 feet ascent. the trail was somewhat muddy but i didn’t mind. the sun came out periodically and even when it wasn’t it was still beautiful. the recent rain made everything so vibrant. the incline is actually gradual, or at least it felt that way for me. some uphills are worse than others. partway through you cross a rock field which is actually an ancient shield volcano. some of the rocks are loose so you have to watch your footing. i was getting closer when i saw a sign saying i was four miles away. then another when i was 1.5 miles. that was a steeper incline. it was going up here that got to me more and caused me to turn around. during this climb my phone had died and it was closing in on two o'clock. i wish i could have taken a photograph as is was my favourite view of the hike. these low misty clouds were low and still in the trees. it was such a sight. it was taking me twice as long to hike half a mile than usual and when i had a mile to go i turned around.

i wish i made it to the top. i know that i would’ve wanted my phone to have charge to take photos. and to be honest, i could have made it. i know this because of how long it took me to go down. on the way down i mucked up again going ont he wrong trail. luckily it wasn’t for very long. on the way down i even went to the upper falls viewpoint for multonomah falls. but i got down in about half the time. i still had over an hour until the last bus. i went to the bathroom and then decided to head home. one of the bus workers said i did the right thing by coming down and that there was issues that day with busses running on time. in some regards i am glad i went home though. currently i am at my place, resting on my couch. i felt it in my legs when i got back, but i was a good feeling to know the workout i had. i also went to bed and slept for over ten hours. i needed it.

if my two year old self could high five it would. but i am sure all it could do to congratulate me is clap and giggle. even though i didn’t make it to the top, i know i can next time. and knowing that i made it down in the time that i did means i am able to do this. i also went through the hike knowing some parts were more strenuous but i found it more moderate than difficult. if i wasn’t sure before, i am for certain now, that hiking is in my nature even though it was nutured. for a novice hiker, this isn’t easy. but for someone who hikes you will either find this moderate as i did or challening, depending on your level of experience.

i know that i will be back here again and make it to the top. for long stretches of this hike you are alone. i find that to be the best. my learning disorder causes me to be over-focused, noticing everything. while that can be a challenge (specifically when i was in school), it was nice here. i heard the rushing creek water, the birds, the slighest of breezes, and even my own heartbeat. i had a water hydration backpack on with food in the pockets. i also had my rain jacket tied to the top of it just in case (and it was getting in the way being tied to my waste). i was well prepared. i had healthy and energising food all day. i came to terms with various things, including not making it to the top. this propels me forward and i am excited for the next hike and my move.

-n.