Tuesday, February 6, 2018
My originally thought was to do the South Rim Trail, with a side trip into Juniper Canyon. A park ranger told me the rim trail is twelve miles. Juniper Canyon can wait.
I didn’t get the super early start of the previous day, and my calves were definitely feeling the results of the exertion. Simply walking around the room made for an adventure. It was pitch dark when I entered the park Monday morning. Any colors from the sunrise were hidden behind the steep mountains. Today, I got to watch it develop as I drove into the park. The trail began in the same area as the previous day and would definitely put my stiff legs to the test.
The trailhead the South Rim Trail begins next to the visitor center and loops behind the Chisos Lodge. There was one woman standing on her balcony enjoying a cup of coffee and saying hello to all the people heading out to the various trails. I paused and said good morning. We chatted for a couple of minutes. It turns out she spent three and a half years on staff at Death Valley National Park. I asked and she told me about a couple of places in the park. Yeah, I need to go back.
Around the back of the lodge, you get the choice of taking either the Pinnacles Trail or the Laguna Meadow Trail. Randomly, I chose the trail peeling off to the right, through Laguna Meadows. Either way, I’d end up back here. In the end, it was the right choice.
It didn’t take very long until I met a couple from Arizona. We had a brief chat before I moved on, They were a little more ambitious than I and were going to tack on another two miles with a side trail. They passed me a little while later when I stopped to take a picture.
Further on, I met Mike from Connecticut. He had been camping for the last few days and just wanted to know who won the Super Bowl.
At every trail juncture, there were signs point out the trails and how far it was to the South Rim Trail. I didn’t realize it, but that specific trail is just what’s along the rim. I had been hiking to access that trail. Thinking nothing of it, I kept going.
Good thing. The view from the first overlook…
This is where I met a woman from Germany. She was doing the loop, but heading the other way. She smiled and said, “it gets better.” She was right.
At the last overlook, I met Peggy and Sarah. They’re both retired and were a part of the REI organized trip. They were up and ready early, decided to head up the trail on their own and were waiting for the rest of their party to arrive. Since they had some extra time, they walked up the North Rim trail a little way. Well, at least as far as the Park Service barricade. The Peregrine Falcons are nesting, so the rest of the trail is closed.
We hung out and chatted for a while, but it was time for me to move on. The juncture for Pinnacles Trail was just ahead and I started hiking down. As it turns out, from strictly a photography standpoint, I chose the right way to do the loop. By the time I worked my way down to the trail’s namesake, they were in full light.
I hadn't seen any bears or mountain lions, but on the trail down, I did encounter three deer. They didn't seem to mind my presence that much.
The trail led through a section of forest with some interesting shadows...
Until finally revealing the trail's namesake, the Pinnacles...
With about three miles to go, I stopped for some water and met Mark. He was on his way up to Juniper Trail for the night. He’s “in training for the Appalachian Trail.” He even had a sponsor, which means they’ll bring supplies to him, instead of having to get off the trail every few days to resupply himself. I wished him good luck and resumed my descent.
Eventually, I came to a clearing in the trees and saw the lodge and visitor center, oh so far away.
The lodge, a little bit closer now…
Eventually, the trail leveled out and brought me back to the car. After refilling my water bottles, I took one and parked myself on a bench in the shade for a few minutes. Yeah, "only" twelve and a half miles."
While I watched the sunrise on the drive on, I got to watch the sun setting on the drive out. Full day indeed.
After a welcome shower(funny how a day without water makes this something) I contemplated dinner and decided I really had no interest in food. Yeah, I was that worn out. Instead, I hobbled my way to the bar and grill attached to the El Dorado. Sitting at the bar I was sipping my Terlingua Gold Ale and chatting with the bartender. He said I looked worn out, but in the good way. I agreed and told him I had done the loop and was feeling the effects of twelve hard miles. A second beer and I was ready to call it a day.
Coming Up on Day 5,
Fun with Clouds
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