faithrunner

 Two friends and I drove to the Taggart Lake trailhead in the Grand Teton National Park about noon in mid September. The skies were clear after a rainy and winter mix the day before. Aspen trees were in their early stages of changing their colors for the fall. The lot was more crowded than expected on a Friday almost two weeks after Labor Day. One friend lived in Jackson Hole and knew the area well,  and he gave us several options once on the trail.  We decided to take the Taggart Lake Trail counter clockwise. The trail followed a stream, which provided a pleasant soundtrack to our leisurely pace. The skies were clear with Cumulus clouds, some that would never reveal the top of The Grand Teton peak.  We took the fork to Bradley Lake trail at the fork and could see Taggart Lake as we made our way up the trail. The elevation gain was minimal with occasional rises and drops. The trail is well worn with few exposed rocks and roots.  Stream along Taggart Lake Trail A...

Our goal was to hike rim to rim in the Grand Canyon in one day. We trained for several months to endure basically one mile elevation drop on the descent from the north rim to the floor of the canyon and the one mile elevation gain on the ascent to the south rim. We planned to follow the North Kaibab Trial to the Bright Angel Trail . Everything and everyone was on plan to reach our goal.  Only one issue: the heat on the floor of the canyon.   We began our adventure on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from the north rim. This was the earliest all of our schedules would allow for the climb. However, our friend and guide said this was the latest she had ever done the hike. (She usually hikes/runs rim to rim to rim in March or October.) The reason for the other dates we discovered was that the heat on the canyon floor rose to around 100 degrees F during the midday hours. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Grand Canyon Lodge cabin Tuesday afternoon, we took the Trans-Canyon Shuttle from the so...

 I try to find a hike or something out of the ordinary when I travel. In 2023, I was invited to speak at a conference, MICN Re-Fresh , in San Jose, Costa Rica. The conference was held at the International Baptist Church , Paul Dreessen, pastor. Paul knew I liked hiking and adventure so he lined up a hike on the Tres Cruces Trail just north of his home in San Antonio de Escazu.  Paul’s house sits at about 4100 feet above sea level, and the highest point on the trail is about 6600 feet. The trail is only about 1.5 miles one way, so it is a pretty steep climb. Getting to the trailhead was challenging enough. When I commented about the steepness of the trail, he asked, “I thought you were in shape to hike something like this?” I replied, “I’m in shape, but not for this!” I had not done much leg work getting ready to speak at the conference.  Once we found the trailhead, which is hard to find without someone who has been there before—that is why you always hike with a local, ...

On 19-21 July I hiked to Wheeler Peak for the sixth time, I think. (First pictures I have are from 1994) Love this trek and that mountain. I'll have my ashes scattered there.  1994 Wheeler Peak Group Campsite at Lost Lake Jon and Jeff at Lost Lake   The three of us left Riverside Lodge in Red River about 0700 Friday morning. After stopping by Major Bean for coffee and sausage/cheese biscuit, we got to the Middle Fork Trailhead about 0800. The weather was ideal, and my legs were okay after Gold Hill the day before.  We got to the "half-way meadow" by 0900 and texted Kim, who had left for home the day before. I found out we needed a new AC unit at the house back home. Ended up calling Kim, texting a friend to get a friend’s number for a framer to lay boards in the attic, and buying a new unit to be installed Monday. All at 10,000 ft. of elevation! (Not really a break you want from life in the city while on the trail.) The trail ...

I left RR ski lift area at about 0700 and headed up Pioneer Trail (forest road). Hiked to private property gate and found Trail 171 near gate that loops around the property. The run off from the snow made the road a creek bed the higher I climbed. Several long creek crossings. The trail throws you back onto the Jeep trail but soon brings you to the continuation of the trail. That takes you to the Gold Hill Trail juncture. Steep but heavily forested. I think I was the first and only one on the trail. Saw no one coming up.  Took Gold Hill trail to the summit. Steeper and more rugged than I had thought. Switchbacks near the summit were heavily washed out.  The view was spectacular, and the wind was blowing hard. Still some snow on the morning side of the mountains. No animals in sight.  Saw only chipmunks and black squirrels coming up.   Decided to go down Goose Creek Trail instead of back tracking and fighting the ATV traffic on P...