Lofty Lakes Loop

We managed to get most of the entire trekking crew out to Utah this weekend for a training hike and overnight in the high Uintas.  We camped at Moosehorn Campground off of the Mirror Lake Highway located at 10,400' elevation.  It was great to spend a night at elevation, especially for those folks coming from sea level.  We took everybody on the Lofty Lakes Loop trail that meanders through some high alpine lakes and passes.  We took the spur out to Cuberant Lake for a mile or so just to add on some mileage.  It was a beautiful hike.  I think this is going to be a great group for the trip!

Trailhead Elevation:  10,100 ft
Lofty Lakes Pass Elevation:  10,913 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  1,300 ft
Total Distance:  6.8 miles
Total Time:  4:45 hrs

Rongai Route

Here is an estimated summary of our daily hikes and campsite elevations:

Day 1:  Rongai Gate (6,548') to Simba Camp (8,615')
Total Gain:  2,067 ft
Total Miles:  4.2 miles

Day 2:  Simba Camp (8,615') to Kikelewa Camp (12,070')
Total Gain:  3,455 ft
Total Miles:  7.3 miles

Day 3:  Kikelewa Camp (12,070') to Mawenzi Tarn (14,117')
Total Gain:  2.047 ft
Total Miles:  2.3 miles

Day 4:  Mawenzi Tarn (14,117') to High Point (15,137') to Horombo Camp (12,185')
Total Gain:  1,020 ft (2.2 miles)
Total Loss:  2,952 ft (4.0 miles)
Total Miles:  6.2 miles

Day 5:  Horombo (12,185') to Barafu Huts (15,357')
Total Gain:  3,172 ft
Total Miles:  5.6 miles

Day 6:  Barafu Huts (15,357') to Uruhu Peak (19,340') to Horombo (12,185')
Total Gain:  3,983 ft (2.8 miles)
Total Loss:  7,185 ft (9.3 miles)
Total Miles:  12.1 miles

Day 7:  Horombo (12,185) to Marangu Gate (6,102')
Total Loss:  6,053 ft
Total Miles:  12.3 miles

Ruth Lake

After doing Bald Mountain, we decided to hike out to Ruth Lake for a little more time in the mountains. The hike to Ruth Lake from Mirror Lake Highway is less than a mile, but it is beautiful.  About 15 minutes into the hike we saw a moose and her calf drinking in a babbling brook.  This area really is quite picturesque.  You can also hike in to Ruth Lake from the Lofty Lakes trailhead.  We might try that route the next time.

Start Elevation:  10,120 ft

Ruth Lake Elevation:  10,350 ft

Total Elevation Gain:  230 ft

Total Distance:  1.5 miles

Total Time:  1:15

Bald Mountain

We climbed up Bald Mountain this weekend.  Bald Mountain is at the top of Mirror Lake in the upper Uintas. The top of the peak is 11,943'.  The clouds were a bit ominous for most of the hike, but luckily the rain and thunder storms never appeared.  I couldn't believe how many families and young kids were doing this hike.  It is short, but certainly has its steep and rocky parts that would be difficult for those with short legs.  Anyway, it was a great day.  Even Riley (the little rat terrier) made it to the top.

Trailhead Elevation:  10,700 ft

Bald Mountain Elevation:  11,943 ft

Total Elevation Gain:  1,250 ft

Total Distrance:  4 miles

Total Time:  2:15

Fall is Knocking

It is mid-August and I was just complaining last weekend that it was too hot.  What a difference a few days makes.  Last night we took the dogs on a short hike in the foothills and there was definitely a chill in the air.  The cool crisp air felt like fall.  My body instinctively reacted to the cold with the desire to head home and watch some football on TV (or to go shopping for some new school clothes).  It is amazing how quickly the seasons change from one to the next.  The days are getting shorter and the nights and mornings are getting colder.  Let's just hope that summer holds out for our final push for Kilimanjaro.

Protein Powder

I tried a number of different protein powder mixes
and I think the Jay Robb vanilla powder is the best. 

I was getting a little frustrated with my training and felt like I wasn't seeing a lot of improvement in endurance or strength despite the many hiking miles we have put in this summer.  I'm not a self-proclaimed vegetarian, but I don't eat very much meat.  It occurred to me that perhaps I wasn't giving my body the fuel it needed for the training.  So, last week I bought some protein powder packets and starting making fruit smoothies for breakfast every morning.  Each packet provides 25g of protien.  The results so far are really encouraging.  I feel like I have a lot more energy after just one week.  Best of all, I am not as sore after workouts and my chronic achilles problem seems to be getting better!  I would definitely recommend this to anyone starting their training.  I just wish I had started it sooner.  

Wasatch Crest Trail - Bike Crash

We decided to ride the Wasatch Crest Trail today on our mountain bikes to see how our training is going.  The haul up to Scott's Pass is always a good test of aerobic endurance and lung capacity.  I am pleased to say that we made it all the way up to Scott's Pass without stopping (and without throwing up).  So, I think the training is going well.  Unfortunately, on the way back from Lake Desolation, after feeling overly confident about my riding skills, I tried to make it down a technical rocky patch and went straight over my handle bars.  At some point in mid-air, I actually thought I might land on my feet without damage.  Wishful thinking.  I did land on my feet, but then was pummeled into the rocks and rolled down into the bushes.  My right leg and thigh took most of the brunt force of the fall.  I was able to make it back to the car, but pretty darn beat up.  This stunt will definitely slow down the training!

Cuberant Lake

We hiked to Cuberant Lake today.  The trail starts from the Pass Lake Trailhead about 32 miles up Mirror Lake Highway.  We started along the Lofty Lakes Loop Trail (going clockwise) and took the Cuberant Lake spur.  It was a beautiful day and the spur off to Cuberant Lake provided some great views of Bald Mountain and Reid's Peak.  The total elevation gain was not that much on paper, but out on the trail, it certainly seemed to be more than expected as we dipped into Reid's Meadow, climbed and descended a craggly pass and then climbed up to Cuberant Lake.

Trailhead Elevation:  10,100 ft
Cuberant Lake Elevation:  10,426 ft
Total Elevation Gain:  800 ft
Total Distance:  6 miles
Total Time:  3.5 hours