Knocked for a Loop by the Spring Loop

“The Spring Loop”. Just the mention of it brings shudders of delight and fear to Bimblers “in the know”. Several experienced Loopers had been unable to fit it into their schedule thus far this year, and a few novices were awaiting “expert” guidance.

To the best of my knowledge, only one Bimbler, Mr. Bimble himself, had Looped this year, and in Spring no less, which is not the common season to Loop, believe it or not. Several novices were interested, and at least one experienced Bimbler (that would be me) was interested and available. So, after wishes, needs, and schedules were all factored in, we came up with the following plan: El Toro, Spuds, and I would do the Full Spring Loop, while Ultra and Suds would do the Partial Spring Loop, version 2 (that is to say, the second part, not the first part).

I had never been the “leader” on The Spring Loop before, and was just a little bit concerned. Bimblers have been known to get lost in the past. My remaining anxiety centered on the fact that Spuds and I planned a moderate to conservative pace, and I have never known El Toro to be moderate or conservative.

Plans proceeded smoothly, with Spuds and I agreeing to use this run as a shakedown run for our upcoming 100 miler, while El Toro was (supposedly) just “along for the ride”. A 5:30 start had us ready to run at 7:30, north on the Mohawk trail from Rte 4. After a significant climb, the early single-track becomes more undulating in fairly open forest, with many fern “lawns”. After a brief and confusing double-cross of a road, another significant climb occurs, then a gentle descent to a road. We turn right and follow the road up, then flat, past a farmhouse with the strong scents of bacon and maple emanating, then downhill to a T intersection. The Mohawk trail continues straight, on an old forest road, uphill. Eventually, the trail returns to single track, and goes steeply up. An overgrown section is a mild annoyance, but yields ripe blackberries. Along this stretch there are several obsolete markers indicating that we are on the Appalachian (bow heads, speak in whispers) Trail, when, in fact, that trail was re-routed away from here over a decade ago. Soon we encounter the old, and apparently now abandoned, beaver pond, followed shortly thereafter by the new, and still expanding, beaver pond. Another confusing stretch ensues through a pine forest. The best way to not get lost is to stay close to the river. Eventually, we come back out to a combination of well groomed forest roads and very wide and well groomed single track trail. We are being careful in our pacing, and are mentally preparing for The Magical Part. I fall behind briefly, and fear I will not rejoin Spuds and El Toro before a critical but non-obvious turn to the right. They navigated the turn just fine, and I caught them shortly thereafter. Throughout this period, Ultra was TXTing me. Note to self: don’t trail run and TXT; Nasty falls could result. We returned to undulating single track, and popped out onto Music Mountain Road at Chauncey’s Falls (my name for them) at the head of Dean’s Ravine, at the same time that Ultra and Suds rolled up in their car. We all ran the beautiful ravine together, then Ultra and Suds returned to the car to get a head start on Part Two, while El Toro, Spuds, and I tackled The Magical Part. Achieving the summit was tiring and there was substantial sun exposure. On the way down, we three simultaneously hallucinated an impossibly blue swimming pool. We were definitely NOT above hopping the fence to trespass and take a dip, but a barking dog brought us back to reality. We cross a highway quite near Falls Village, traverse a brief stretch of woods, cross a railroad track, and are dumped back out onto a road. A turn to the left brings us past Housatonic Valley Regional High School, and on to the bridge across the Housatonic River. We then arrive at the hikers parking lot for the Appalachian Trail.

Ultra has left lots of water for us at his car, but we missed he and Suds by 15 minutes. It will take hours before we catch their fresh legs. We fill up on fluids and head out again at approximately 11:30. The next 12 or so miles on the Appalachian Trail is all single track, severely undulating, technical ridge running. There is one paved road crossing, and several water crossings. Around the third water crossing, we finally catch Ultra and Suds. Suds has already written an excellent account of his Partial Loop, so I am quoting it, in full, here:

“Trail Report: Partial “Spring Loop”
Sunday August 16,2009
Weather: Sunny and Hot Upper 80s
Trail Conditions: Mostly dry

So we got to keep moving. It’s really hot now. I’m about four hours in on the trail and about three miles to the store. Not much complaining yet but Spuds and I both agree that the heat is making this run difficult. Much desperation to get cold beverages jump-started our trek to the store. We finally got to the road after pounding the trail down from Breadloaf Mountain. Full sun exposure on the road and by the time I got across the bridge I was beat by the heat. I’m out of water again. I have consumed almost a gallon since we left the car over twelve miles ago. I must thank the guy at EMS who insisted I buy nothing smaller than a hundred ounce bladder for my pack. I really needed a break. The hershey bar and chips and soda was so refreshing. The comfort of the picnic table on the front porch was starting to take over. The thoughts of bailing “never really” surfaced at this point. Many thanks to my co-runners who did not allow me to cave in. Spuds got a bag of ice and water and we filled up our hydration packs with it. We were off again up the trail along this grueling uphill grind of a road. Up we went swearing a little at the heat and difficulty of the climb. We eventually past some nice waterfalls and old dam. We have been going uphill for over two miles. The group has broken up by now. Spuds have gotten his second wind and is drifting off ahead in the distance with Ultra. Forrest and El Toro have taken off ahead not to be seen again until the end. I yelled out a loud “wahoo” at Echo Rock and heard my echo go down the valley.
For the next four miles or so I always stayed within “wahooing” distances of Ultra and Spuds. Eventually I made it down this rocky slope and across Furnace brook and out into the meadow where Ultra was patiently waiting for me. I confessed to him that I was tired and that my foot hurt. He led me around the farmyard making sure I didn’t touch the electric fence. We checked for ticks. There were none. We continued along this road in this valley that reminded me of where I once lived in Vermont. It is beautiful landscape. We entered the woods again at Cathedral Pines. I hugged a couple of real old trees at the top of the knoll in the pine forest. And continued to Great Hollow rd. where I received further instruction of the trail route. Ultra reassured me to keep pressing forward. A short run downhill past the barn and up the trail past the cows. Through this overgrown section of trail all the way to the top of the ski lifts on Mohawk Mt. The sun has set by now it’s a little cooler out. I’m twenty miles in on the trail with just about two to go! I needed to sit at the top for a moment . Spuds smiles and tells me that we’re almost there. After a much needed short rest I begin moving again. Soon to get to the park road which I decided to use to the end. I pretty much ran what I could on the way back to the car. Forrest offered me a ride for the last half-mile or so but I declined. I decided to stay on my feet to the end. I brought it in with a smile and thanked everyone for their help in helping me to endure this run. I can’t wait to do the “Full Loop”.”

Just a few points to highlight after El Toro and I separated from the rest after the climb up Dark Entry Road (queue spooky music). We ran fairly hard by my standards, challenged further by full stomachs after our resupply at the store. I took El Toro just enough off course at the tick infested meadow to get a good ZAP from the electric fence. Despite this jarring intrusion on an idyllic scene, El Toro agreed with me that this grassy valley seems darn close to many people’s guesses as to what paradise might look like. Right and down the road for about another 1/2 mile, and we plunge left into Cathedral Pines, an impressive, btu tornado ravaged remnant of an old-growth pine forest. Yes Suds, trees were hugged. Quickly back onto a road, then onto the farm which the strange striped cows for a very tedious climb up Mohawk Mountain. All walking through here. Once at the summit, we decided there was enough daylight to stay off the road and use the trail to the finish. We moved quickly, enjoying the opportunity to finish “strong”. After a shower and shave (not quite), I was dispatched to rescue Suds, who “politely” refused rescue. Twice. Politely. Uh Huh.

The trip home included the mandatory stop at the diner in Torrington, along with the inevitable “loopy” behavior by Ultra. Suds’ excellent transportation services had us back to Branford before 11:30, and I was home safe and sound and in bed before midnight.

Still, I felt that the challenge of two tough running days this weekend entitled me to some special pampering. So, within minutes of my head hitting the pillow, and subsequently the wall, and finally the floor, PB (aka Mrs. Forrest) called my personal transport service, the one that only require 3 digits to dial, and they arrived to whisk me away for a day or two at a delightful “spa” in New Haven. En route, they plied me with multiple beverages that I did not even need to drink, and soothing (but SHARP) balms to relieve my aches and pains. Upon arrival, I was waited on hand and foot, and other body parts. Taking pictures seemed to be an important part of their welcoming routine. Strangely, no food was offered. Eventually, I tired of all this over-indulgent pampering (really, I can shower all by myself) and decided to return to the real world of Sunset Hill repeats.