Partially around the Loop

I have to admit that I was nervous to join this run. Because my pace is slowest of the group and it was going to be wicked hot. Lots of talk of this “Spring Loop” coarse created some excitement for me to get involved. We made some plans and were sure I would be joining Ultra for a partial of the Loop.

We got to the trailhead a little early so we headed out in the car to find the “Full Loopers” We found them at a road crossing and so we decided to join them for a run thru Dean’s Ravine. A beautiful fern canyon with cascading waterfalls and huge hemlock trees. This was a nice warm-up run for what’s to come. Back to the car as the other runners ran on. I got my oversized hydration pack on after some scrambling around the car to get ready for the long day on the trail. Strapped in we headed along the banks of the Housatonic river by a cornfield and across the road and up the trail. Up to Belter’s Bump past the campsite and we checked out the spring. Rolling ridgeline running the A.T. southbound. Ultra and I stayed ahead of the Full Loopers for well over two hours. There were some nice views westward along Sharon Mountain. I’m drinking plenty of water and felling pretty good dealing with the heat. There were plenty of brook crossings to cool off in. Ultra is not to bothered by the heat and he moves onward. I kept up with him never losing sight of him. It was somewhere around the climb up past Surdan Mt. Road that El Toro past me. I congratulated him on his hard work. We crested the summit and headed down to Caesar Brook where we stopped for a splash. I realized I was out of water and was going to wait for Forrest and Spuds at this point. It was not more than five minutes that they showed up. Forrest didn’t even hesitate to break out his filtration pump and start filtering water for us. Pumping about twenty ounces of water into my camelback was enough to get me to the general store. Everyone else got pumped.

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”.

Suds

Sunday August 16,2009
Weather: Sunny and Hot Upper 80s
Trail Conditions: Mostly dry