The adventure from Wrightwood to Mt Baldy and back
Ahoy there all you reading in cyber world.
It's been a struggle to sit down and actually put into words the roller coaster of adventures I've been experiencing.
At first the roller coaster seemed to malfunction and was under repair for almost two weeks.
Two.
Weeks.
Meaning I went for a run after Gorge and did SOMETHING that overworked my ankle and was unable to run or do any sort of exercise for two weeks. After experiencing the world wind of Gorge Waterfalls 100 k race, but body wanted to 1. continue to run 2. eat EVERYTHING in my sight or that can be purchased and in my hands in 20 min.
So once I was injured- I was on option 2 for the time being.
After two weeks I was depressed, moody, unhappy, hangry, etc. I had made an immediate appointment with my favorite sports masseuses over at LA Sports Massage located on the West Side... no where near where I live by the way. Despite the distance, it was well worth it. I walked out feeling amazing and the pain in my ankle almost 100% gone- almost.
Since Gorge 100k I have had several amazing adventures and although I would like to portray every detail on each one, time is of the essence and today time permits only one adventure.
This is the latest one and may be one of my favorites- shhh... don't tell anyone.
These last few months my friend Vince and I have been planning to run from Wrightwood to Mt. Baldy and back via the North Backbone trail however due to either work or schedule conflicts- it had yet to happen.
Somehow last Monday evening Vince asked me if I wanted to run and seeing how I did a very difficult leg workout earlier that day- I said I was available to go on an adventure but would enjoy more climbing and less easy running seeing how my legs may be a bit tight.
Either way I knew I was going to be sore- but go big or go home right?
We both had the day off and we had agreed on more of a late start than normal. Juniper and I met Vince at his house around 9am and were off on the road.
Maybe it was the bottle of wine I had the night prior or my lack of proper judgment but I had decided to feed Juniper a new brand of dog food for breakfast in hopes that she would be nice and full for our adventure.
Well she was definitely full all right. After 30 minutes of trying to tell us something... she let go of her fullness in Vinces car- thankfully on a blanket that covered the seat.
Dog owner fail on my part- it was an easy clean up and thankfully NOT messy but boy was that a nice little kick start to our adventure.
Jeez Juniper.
We arrive in Wrightwood with a failed attempt to start as close to the acorn trail as possible when end up parking at the Good 'Ol Wrigthwood Community Center where the Angeles Crest 100 race begins.
We make it maybe a quarter of a mile and needless to say we were both up to turn around go back to Jensens Market pick up some beer and call it a day. Juniper on the other hand was not okay with that idea.
While Vince and I complained the whole way up, she played fetch; ran far up the trail and back, played with the pine cones, and really showed us how lazy we really were.
Once we reached the top of the acorn trail where it connects with the PCT we turned left versus the normal right to continue onto the AC100 course. We immediately ran into two PCT hikers that Juniper was so excited to say hi to.
We continued on the PCT, Vince and I definitely taking our time on this flat section as we slowly hiked across- we didn't want to miss the connection to Pine Mountain.
At this point I was very happy I didn't listen to Vince's recommendations in wearing tights because of the snow- despite the snow sections it was warm out and I was already regretting wearing a long sleeve shirt. He, on the other hand, was definitely enjoying full tights and long sleeves- haha SUCKA.
Pine Mountain (elevation 9,648) was a death march.
Yes I may have worked out my legs the day before.
Yes I may have partook in drinking a whole bottle of wine during dinner.
Yes I was cursing at myself every step up to the peak of Pine Mountain.
Whoa- what a roller coast that was. It was a very strenuous climb and I hated myself more and more for it with every step.
Why do I constantly put myself in this position?
Why do I say yes to every adventure?
Why can't I just stay home and do something normal- like laundry?
Why am I doing something I'm obviously not enjoying?
All questions going through my head in between the few cuss words I may have said to myself.
What a pansy I was.
Once we got up to the peak of pine we took a few photos and I was able to give Juniper her first sweet potato as she denied my request to take a photo with us. Little fart face she was being- let be honest she rarely listens to me to begin with.
Lets be honest- he only said that because he knew I was struggling.
I call him an enabler.
He continued saying how we still accomplished a great climb and that we earned our beers but Mt. Baldy was still in the distance and I wanted to be on that summit whether I was happy about it or not.
I told myself to "MAN UP SAWNA" and although I was looking forward I told Vince that we had to continue.
Go big or go home right? And I wasn't going home until we accomplished what we had set out to do.
The run down and up Dawson felt more like a crawl. Every ounce of my body was upset we hadn't turned around and it was telling me it was not ready to run. I shut that little voice in my head and continued forward.
Once we were on Dawson my mood had lightened up. There's no turning around at this point.
It was a nice steep run down, continue on the ridge for about half a mile then a steep climb up.
Literally felt as though I was climbing, at points hands on the ground telling myself; left foot, right foot, left hand, right hand- continue.
Ascending Baldy on this side there was extreme amounts of snow however it never got dangerous for us to continue our ascent. There were, however, a few times when we had to climb over a small patch of snow and I'd slip and scream bloody murder(literally screamed for my life) and Vince just mimicked me. I must admit, I probably sounded close to a yapping parrot.
This whole adventure between both Vince and I playfully complaining out loud and pretending to lay on logs and climb weirdly shaped trees we had play list going. We could start a band and be the singers our voices were perfectly harmonized and angelically matched the chirping of birds and whistling of the wind.
NOT.
Here's an idea of what we were belting out.
I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is Gone- Jimmy Cliff
I Believe in A Thing Called Love- The Darkness
Lean On Me- Seal
Baby Got Back- Sir Mix A Lot
Sometimes- Britney Spears
I can't really think of any others.
Once we arrived at the peak of Baldy- it was pure happiness. There was something about that last climb.
The farther up we climbed the happier I was. Once we reached the peak- I was ecstatic. Perhaps it's the altitude and the less amounts of oxygen reaching my brain?
We were there a mere few minutes before my body warmth started to disappear and the cold started to settle in.
Seeing that I this was new territory for me I believe I didn't enjoy it to the fullest because I didn't understand the distance and or how the terrain was going to be and I was constantly worried. Once we started to descend Baldy all that weight on my shoulders disappeared and I was having the most fun I've had in a long time!
Juniper was having the time of her life in the snow. She was not affected by elevation or the amount of climbing we were doing.
We descended Baldy with one final snow run/slide before heading to Dawson. Thanks Vince for reaming into me!
Heading back to Wrightwood seemed as though it flew by. I honestly felt 100% better and my body agreed!
It finally warmed up to the idea of running and every pain I felt earlier had disappeared.
Acorn trail was by far my favorite section to run down. Since Gorge I have had a lingering pain in my feet that has kept me from actually flying downhill. Today there was no pain and I was able to run my fasted downhill and what seems like months! Despite having to stop a few times to ensure little June bug was behind me, it was definitely one of my favorite moments. She is not too keen on speeding down mountains as she is ascending them but it's something we are working on. She kept pretty close behind me and the three of us were able to run swiftly back to the car.
Oh and we saw a bear, well a dog that looked like a bear... same same but different.
At last, the feeling of accomplishment. This feeling I ache for!
"I just want to climb, big, steep, nasty ridges leading up to high summits. I was the burn of thin air".
The pain is what I truly enjoy and is something I may forget in the moment but truly appreciate at the end.
It makes it all worth it.
I'm still laughing over here thinking of the beautiful 70 degree weather and Vince in long tights. HA. Sorry man!
After a job around the parking lot and a pit stop to the bathroom we head back to Jensens for some truly deserved beer.
We picked up Modern times and Mammoth Lakes Brewing Co IPA and of course a nice meaty snack for Junebug.
Definitely some fine tasting beer while sitting in the parking lot of Grizzly Cafe as we await for our Veggie burgers.
After a very nice conversation with the hostess about how two very equally awesome people can be just friends- we received our burger and fries.
HEAVEN.
That's what it tasted like.
We ate as if we hadn't seen food in a while- silence in the car and all you can hear is chewing and processing of the burgers with an occasional sip of beer.
HEAVEN.
The car ride home consisted of re-living the days adventure and how completely awesome it was and me falling asleep.
Wrightwood to Mt Baldy is a difficult climb but it is well worth the struggle for the absolute beauty the San Gabriel Mountains have to offer.
I can't wait for the next adventure!
What's next?
Till next time,
Peace, love and happiness