Valley Thaw Out Half Marathon

 It was only 29 degrees when I left my house to head to the parking lot where I needed to park for this race. The normal lot at Pyra's was too wet and partially snow-covered so we had to park at the Jim Creek Recreation Center parking lot then take a shuttle to the start. I ended up waiting at the start line for one hour, trying to decide what I needed to wear for the race. I decided it was too cold to leave my fleece sweater so I started out wearing it. Later I put it in my running vest pack and switched to my windbreaker. The race starts at Pyra's Farm about halfway though the Bodenburg Butte Loop Road, when the road reaches the Old Glenn Highway, we turn left along the bike trail for several miles to Virginia Street, then turn around and head back. On the way back, we pass the first loop road then turn right at the other end of the loop by the flashing light. A couple more miles brings us back to Pyra's and the finish line. As usual, I was slower than any of the other half marathon runners and was quickly in last place. The race sweep stayed right by me on his bicycle all the way to the Old Glenn Highway. I do appreciate that he is there for safety, but having him right beside or just behind me is kind of unnerving. Last year I asked him to stay farther back so I could run at my own pace. But this time I just tried to ignore him. But it does make me nervous having someone following right next to me. Once I reached the bike trail, he didn't stay with me. That was kind of a relief. Although, at the turn around I told him I had dropped a glove back on the road and asked if he had seen it. He was kind enough to go back and retrieve it for me. So at that point, I was quite grateful for his help. I hated to lose one of those nice running gloves, although they could have easily been replaced. Once I left the bike trail and was on the second half of the loop road, he was there beside me again. By then I was getting too tired to care. I was frustrated because I just can't seem to speed up. But then again, I keep reminding myself that I'll be 77 in just a couple of weeks and most ladies my age are not out running half marathons in freezing conditions. 

I did finish, and was about 10 minutes slower than last year's time. I was slow and I will be sore and tired, but I'm glad I chose to run the race.

Archangel Road Ski

 I went cross country skiing today with my friend Pam and Baby. Dahla, her dog, was at the groomers, so she missed out on this little ski adventure. It was a gorgeous day and perfect temperature. I thought the snow might be very icy, but instead, it had been fairly recently groomed then covered with a couple inches of fluffy light powder that fell overnight. It was so smooth and fast. Baby wasn't interested in leading but followed behind me in my ski tracks. We went just to the place where the trail becomes multi-use and the snowmachines had chewed up the trail. It was then too rough to be enjoyable. So we turned around just before reaching the little bridge over Archangel Creek. The trip back was really fast because now Baby wanted to run the whole way. I could almost stand still and keep moving as fast as I would normally be able to ski. But I don't want that tiny dog to be actually doing work, so I pushed as hard as I could to try to keep up with her. It was so nice. I hated to see us finally get back to the cars. 

Twin Peaks 2nd Bench

I've hiked the Twin Peaks Trail several times in the last couple of weeks. Something always causes me to turn back at the first bench overlook. Today I was just hiking alone with my dog, Baby and we decided to hike at least to the first bench. It was kind of cold and the snow-covered trail was quite firm. I really needed my micro spikes. When we got to the overlook it was really windy and I figured we would immediately turn back like the last few previous hikes. But Baby seemed intent on continuing up the trail. It was only 1pm so early enough that we certainly had plenty of time. It did look like some weather might be moving in, but at least it wasn't snowing or raining yet. The trail was much rougher than the lower part had been. It was still frozen but was rough from previous hikers deep footprints and places with deep holes where they had broken through the snow. I had to kind of dance around some of those spots because it was hard to balance on such uneven terrain. It seemed like it was taking forever to get to the second bench. I guess simply because the trail was so rough. But we got there after about 45 minutes. I think that is longer than I usually take in the summer. But it's definitely harder on snow. At the bench, Baby wanted to continue on up to the ridge above. I think given the chance, she would have gone all the way to the top of Pepper Peak. But I decided not to venture up that way because the trail up there was not packed by previous hikers. There were some tracks, but nothing distinct enough to follow, especially if a snowstorm was moving in. We turned around and Baby ran down the trail, trying to pull me off my feet the entire way. I had to be careful not to step in one of those holes and break an ankle. Once back to the lower bench, the snow had softened up and it was slippery and a little easier walking. We actually ran about half the way back down to the car. The impending storm never arrived and it just remained cloudy and warm at 42 degrees according to the outside air temperature on my car.

Baby at the first bench

Baby at the second bench

Skiing on Archangel Road

 I had planned to hike the Twin Peaks Trail with my friend Alice, in Anchorage, but she didn't feel good this morning so canceled. My other friend, Jodi, said she was going to Archangel to cross country ski, so I decided to do the same. It's a beautiful sunny warm day and I didn't want to just stay home. Also, the wind is blowing about 40 miles an hour here at home so I really didn't want to stay around here. Even my morning walk with the dog was pretty miserable even though it was slightly above freezing. I got there before Jodi, but decided to start out before she arrived because she is a faster skier than I am and I knew she would catch up with me. That way she didn't have to go slower to accommodate my slower speed. She did catch me fairly quickly and we had a nice trip to the little bridge over Archangel Creek. The trail got very rough after that so we turned around. At that point, snowmachines are permitted on the trail and they really chew it up. She wanted to head to Arctic Valley and snowboard for a while too. So we headed back. She skied really fast back to the cars. The tracks were very fast and a few times I was a little concerned that I might kill myself going downhill feeling a little out of control. Baby was on her leash and pulling me for most of the way, but she got tired and ended up just running beside me. She did try to have a couple of altercations with other dogs that sent me flying towards them or being pulled backwards, screaming for her to please stop! Happily, I remained upright all the way back to the car. It was a really gorgeous day up there and also nice and calm. It warmed up to the mid 40's and felt almost like summer. 

Twin Peaks Trail

 Tried another hike up the Twin Peaks Trail with my friend Pam and our dogs. It's getting very slushy out there. It was a spectacular day for a hike anywhere, with bright blue sky and sunshine and 45 degrees. We had some time constraints because Pam needed to return her rental car, so we needed to move fairly quickly. Since I have been out hiking and climbing almost non-stop for the entire month, I think it finally caught up with me. I had to go back to my car a few minutes after we started because I left my water bottles in the car. Then I left my poles by the car, but noticed before I got back on the trail. I was so tired that I found myself getting angry at inanimate objects, like the zipper that wouldn't zip, the pack straps that wouldn't cooperate and similar ridiculous things. By the time we reached the steepest section just below the first bench, I really found myself lagging behind. The snow was really deep there, adding to the difficulty, but I was mostly too tired to be out there at that point. I finally got to the first bench and we spent about 30 minutes snacking and enjoying the incredible view. I knew we couldn't go any farther, between our time constraints and my sudden onset of slowness. So we went on back down instead of continuing on to the upper bench. It was a beautiful hike and fun visiting with Pam. But I need a day off from climbing up the mountains. I loved my new Scarpa boots though. 

Turnagain Arm Trail & Beach

 I went to Anchorage and treated myself to some nice new hiking/mountaineering boots. I was tired of sore feet with my old ones. Since the last 4 waypoints of the Spring Shoulder Season Stoke were all in the Anchorage area, I set out to find them all. The first one I went for was near the trails at Kincaid Park. I thought that one would be close and fairly easy to find. But most of the trails heading in the right direction were not groomed or packed at all. I first tried the Coastal Trail which started out in the right direction, but soon diverged away from the course. I saw a groomed trail up higher that seemed closer to the right direction, and I followed some footprints leading up there. That trail also began to diverge. On the map I could see a trail intersecting the one I was on that appeared to lead in the right direction. But when I reached that intersection once again I found only a narrow string of boot prints. I decided to follow them, post holing now and then. I finally reached the cliffs overlooking the inlet. My GPS indicated that the waypoint must be down on the beach. At first I saw no way down, but finally stumbled on a narrow muddy steep and icy trail leading straight down the cliff. It looked more like an erosion trail than a purposeful trail, but there were a couple of posts connected by ropes leading down it. I grabbed the ropes and found my way down and back. At the bottom I was on the beach with a beautiful view, next to the sign that read Welcome to Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. My Gaia app indicated that I was on the waypoint. After dragging myself back up by the ropes I found the official Beach Access Trail that lead far from towards Kincaid Park, but did at least lead back to the Coastal Trail. I added at least a half to a full mile to the hike that I thought would be much shorter, but did find my way back. 

On the beach

From there I drove to the McHugh Creek parking area because the other 3 waypoints all appeared to be on the Turnagain Arm Trail, with the first one being very close to the parking lot. I put on my new boots with my micro spikes and Baby and I started up the trail. We passed a small waterfall on McHugh Creek and located the first waypoint on the little bridge over the creek. Then we turned towards Potter and followed the trail for anther mile or so to the next point which was a rock mound overlooking the inlet. The view was so spectacular, I wanted to spend the rest of the day there staring at it in the bright sunshine. But I took my pictures then continued on, past a moose who, thankfully ignored us while she was feasting on some alders. We walked through the slushy snow at least another mile. Then we found the 3rd waypoint. This one was on top of a little snow-covered hill with a bench facing the inlet. Once again, a fantastic view of the inlet. That bench looked very inviting. But by then Baby and I were both getting tired. My legs already felt like wet spaghetti from yesterday's climb of Lazy Mountain, so we started our return hike. The GPS showed the first and third waypoints as only 2 miles apart. But that was obviously only 'As the crow flies' because by the time we were back to the car, we had logged 6 miles on that trail. But I can now say I have hiked to all 40 of the listed waypoints. I loved the challenge and learned a lot about the pros and cons and usefulness of the Gaia app and other GPS satellite tracking devices. I did stumble around a lot but always managed to find the spot I was seeking. I feel certain I am now able to keep myself from becoming hopelessly lost, as long as I bring my extra iPhone battery charger along on my treks, anyway.

Lazy Mountain Climb

 It's getting so warn now that in order to avoid slushy wet snow, we chose to climb Lazy Mountain early in the morning while the trail was still icy. It was very icy and kind of cold because the sun didn't hit us until we reached the picnic table at the halfway point. I hiked with my friend Jodi and of course, Baby the chihuahua. Baby got cold just before the picnic table so I was about to put her in my pack when Jodi suggested she just carry her in her arms that short distance. Her leash was still hooked to me, so we felt a little like climbers who were roped together for safety. Once we hit the picnic table, the sun hit us and we were all suddenly very warm, including Baby. The hiking conditions were a lot better too. Instead of the steep icy snow, we found nice hard packed powder that was well packed down by previous hikers. We made the top fairly easily. I was feeling kind of drained today since I have been out hiking almost daily since April 1st. But we both made it to the top. I was tracking one of the waypoints from the navigation challenge, and on the way to the summit, it suddenly showed we had passed it. On the way back down, the GPS was fluctuating wildly so I wasn't able to pinpoint it withint just a few feet. But it was obviously somewhere just below the rocks before you start the final ascent to the flag at the top, and the junction of the Lazy Mountain and Southside Trails. So I noted that area as the location of the waypoint. The Gaia GPS app is pretty accurate but not as precise as the ones used by commercial airliners on instrument flight plans and approaches. 10 or 20 feet error using Gaia, is well within the margin of error. This climb marks waypoint number 36 so I only need 4 more to complete finding all 40 of the waypoints on the list. I'm hoping to locate the other ones tomorrow. My hiking boots were killing my feet today because they are not waterproof. So I plan to go to Anchorage in search of better ones and pick up the last 4 waypoints, since they are all in the Anchorage area. 

You couldn't pick a better day to climb Lazy Mountain. It was gorgeous and sunny the whole time. We went up the steep original trail and I split with Jodi and took the Lazy Moose Trail down. She needed to hurry and I was slower, as usual. I took my time and slogged through the slushy snow on the trail that is 2 miles longer, but less icy and steep. 

Baby & me

Baby & me

Jodi, Baby & me

Jodi on the summit ridge

Campbell Creek & Bivouac Trails

 I decided to head to Anchorage to see if I could find a few more of the Spring Shoulder Season Stoke waypoints. I already found one in the Campbell Creek area so went there first to find the other 2. It was a lovely little hike, on packed snow. I didn't even need ice grippers or even wear my hiking boots. My snow boots worked just great. Baby and I found the first one on the Birch Knob Trail, on the top of the hill before it heads down to join the Viewpoint Trail. From there we followed another trail along Campbell Creek. the waypoint there was right on the creek at the bottom of a little metal staircase. The creek was lovely and running nicely even though the banks and the trail were still snow-covered.

We left there and drove a short way up Campbell Airstrip Road to the North Bivouac Trailhead. There were 3 waypoints in that area. The first one was the farthest, over a mile from the trailhead. It appeared to be on the Tank Trail. At first I considered the other 2 but then realized I was already on the Tank Trail. So Baby and I hiked to that one first. We were the only ones on the trail, which made it very peaceful. When we reached the gate to the military base, we also reached the waypoint. So that one was pretty obvious. On our way back we turned right along the 2.5 km loop and picked up the other 2 waypoints and tracked back to the trailhead. We logged about 6 miles. Now I have 35 of the 40 waypoints. I'm planning to climb Lazy Mountain tomorrow, which will give me the one point that is close to the summit. If we're successful I'll only need to find 4 more to have all 40. But to be a finisher, we only need to find 20. I have enjoyed finding them, so it's been a great navigation learning experience.

Military Base Warning Sign

Military Boundary

First waypoint on the 2.5km Trail

Second waypoint on the 2.5km Trail

Twin Peaks Trail

 A beautiful sunny day finally, with no fog, rain or snow falling. Hiked up the Twin Peaks Trail to the first bench overlook with my friend Jodi and Baby. It was so warm we didn't even need to wear our coats. The lake is still frozen and snow-covered. I didn't see anyone out on the lake, but I imagine the ice is still thick enough to support hikers and skiers. It got up into the mid 40's today down in town, so I think it's time to stay off the lakes and just hike on the trails. The snow was getting very soft because we started out quite late in the afternoon. We got back to the cars at 4 pm.

Me, Baby and Jodi

Eklutna Lake

Baby and Jodi