Shortly before our return from Big Montana Adventure I learned that my dad would be flying westward for a visit. Though I was disappointed that mom would not be joining, I was excited for some father son time as well! I developed an itinerary centered …
I have been running since March 2005, when my basketball coach convinced me to run track. It did not take long until I was hooked, running everyday and pushing my body to the limit. However, it was not until August 2011 that I also became …
On August 20th, I finished up my Neuroscience final in the morning; correctly answering 96% of the questions. This brought to a close my third semester of Physical Therapy school. To celebrate I hit the trails for one last ten miler in Austin before departing to Spokane, Washington. I ran my favorite route, which is a gravel path that skirts along Slaughter Lane and RM 1826. Post run I departed for the northwestern reaches of the country via a Boeing 747. Apryle greeted me at the airport and we departed in her 2001 Ford Windstar for a city campsite in Odessa, Washington.
Apryle showed excellent craftsmanship with her makeshift camping van. The van was complete with a comfortable raised cot in the back. The bed frame hinged and lifted to allow for storage underneath. The design maximized the use of space allowing for both comfort and practicality. As a final touch, the van also included some owl print curtains.
August 21st
Drove across the south central territory of the state and obtained trail/camping information in the town of Cle Elum
Hiked the Stafford Creek Trail and most of the way up the Navaho Peak Trail and where we enjoyed some great views of the Stuart Range.
The overall distance was 26 kilometers
Four hours.
Camped in the tent along Stafford Creek
August 22nd
Drove to Seattle
Toured the University of Washington Campus
Drove to Anacortes and paddled/waded in the Pacific Ocean
Had dinner on the shoreline watching the sun set over the San Juans
Camped near Washington Park
August 23rd
Walked over to the Ferry Landing in Anacortes
Ferried over to Orcas Island
Biked about 50 kilometers total into the downtown and into Moran State Park and back to the ferry
Hiked to Cascade Falls
Ferried back to Anacortes
Camped in Mont Vernon
Mountain Goat on Sahale Arm
August 24th
Drove to Marblemont
Toured the fish hatchery and watched some salmon swimming in the channels
Drove into the North Cascades NP
Hiked up Lookout Mountain
16.10 kilometer round trip
4000’ vertical elevation gain
2:20 to the summit and about 4 hours overall
Rode out a storm in the lookout tower
Drove to Johannesburg campsite near Sahale Glacier and set up tent about 200m up the trail
August 25th
Hiked to the Sahale Glacier camp; saw two or three black bears; even one swimming in Doubtful Lake
21 Kilometers total
Had some lunch near the glacier while a mountain goat attempted to join
Hiked down to Doubtful Lake and then back to the Johannesburg campsite
Camped in the tent at the Johannesburg campsite again.
August 26th
Drove to Gorge Campground and set up the tent right along the Skagit River
Went for a 7 mile run along the Steattle Trail and around Diablo
Walked back along Steattle Creek and Diablo with Apryle
Camped in the tent at Gorge Campground
August 27th
Hiked to Sourdough Mountain; 16.4 kilometers
5100’ vertical elevation gain (8:40am – 3:40pm)
Every trail had several raspberries, salmonberries, blackberries and blueberries, but this trail had overwhelming amount of berries.
Camped in the tent at Gorge Campground again
August 28th
Hiked the Maple Loop: 17 kilometers (Tangents to Ann and Rainy Lake, as well as a brief scramble toward Frisco Peak)
Camped at Maple Loop trailhead
August 29th
Hiked up Wallaby Mountain; 6 miles
Ran 6.5 miles in about 48:00 out and back on a country road in Winthrop
Walked around downtown Wintrop; got a waffle cone and had dinner
Camped at Kangaroo Range Trailhead
August 30th
Hiked to Cutthroat Pass near the Pacific Crest Trail
17.7 kilometers: Hiked/Ran to the top and Ran back to the van.
Traveled to Winthrop and toured the town historical museum
Had dinner in Twisp
Camped in Omak
August 31st
Drove to Republic
Walked around the downtown area and checked out the Ranger Station
Drove over to Ferry Lake
Ran 10 Kilometers with Apryle (6.02 mi 1:10:11)
Then ran another 6.6 kilometers solo up a steep grade and back to the van (27:32; 1600m progressions: 7:30, 7:15, 6:30, 5:38).
Camped in the van off the road near Ferry Lake
September 1st
Drove to the downtown Republic camp/picnic area and made some breakfast, did some drawing and relaxed.
Ran to the Golden Tiger Trail off 21;
10.5 kilometer warm up and headed down to high school track and did a quick workout