Lazy Mountain Birthday Hike

 I finally reached 80. I honestly don't feel any different. However, this hike was so grueling, that I felt more like 90 than 80! This is a very steep straight up hike on a good day. Today looked like a beautiful day but the trail was a real horror. It was mostly very slippery slimy mud. Pam and her dog went along with Bella and me. I had hoped conditions would be good to climb Matanuska Peak like last year. But this winter has been much colder with a lot more snow. That just wasn't an option and may not be for at least another month. But Lazy Mountain with its muddy trail was plenty of challenge for both of us. Our dogs likely enjoyed playing in the mud. By the time we reached the halfway picnic table, we were both relieved to be there and hopeful that the rest would be better. It usually is the easier half. But not so much today. The first half of the upper trail was just as bad as the lower trail. I kept saying to myself - "Don't quit, you can do it!" I'm not sure what Pam was saying, probably more like "Why?"

We did reach the top and the rain we could see in every direction, stayed out in the valley. Although, we did see an occasional snowflake. Bella and I climbed up the final rock face so I could take my usual 360-degree video from the summit. It was a bit windy but not too cold. We lingered up there for a short time, then rejoined Pam and Dahla down by the flag. The trek down through the scree wasn't too bad, but the muddy sections on the upper trail were even more treacherous on the way down. At the picnic table we, and mostly everyone else we met on the mountain, elected to take the longer, but less steep Lazy Moose Trail down to the parking lot. It was worth the additional 2.5 miles to avoid that miserable lower steep trail. We covered 6.5 miles total and managed to beat the rain. It was a tough hike, but a fabulous way to show the world that age is only a number. So many folks my age are using walkers or living in assisted living homes. But if you have the desire, you can still be climbing mountains at 80. I hope I can do something similar when I turn 90 or even 100. 

I have the muddiest dog I have ever seen. She will get a nice bath tonight.

Summit Video