Post by GaliWalker on Jun 6, 2016 5:58:55 GMT -8
A week ago I had planned an extravagant 27.5mi loop hike in the unfamiliar (to me) Pennsylvania's Quehanna Wild Area. High heat and even higher humidity had defeated me, so that I'd been forced to cut my hike short by 1.8mi as well as road walk the last 4.6mi. A week later the mental scars lingered, so I decided to pick my tried and trusted, close to home Laurel Highlands Trail as the next hike.
While I've never hiked the entire 70mi trail, even in sections, I know the first 12mi of the southwestern end like the back of my hand. This part comprises the hilliest bit of the trail, making it an ideal conditioning hike. In the past I've always turned around earlier than or at the 12.5mi mark, preferring to do laps on the biggest hill to increase the difficulty quotient. This time around I was in the mood to see some new territory, while also tucking in some elevation gain.
I was on the trail by 5:15am. It was pretty humid but the temperature was a comfortable 67°F. Since this was all familiar ground and the light was dim, it was switch off and walk time. 1.75hrs later, around the 5mi mark, I passed a whole slew of backpackers. These would be the only people I'd see for the next 8hrs.
The big 1200ft elevation gain climb at the 6-7.5mi stretch – the hill I typically do laps on – went fine. Thankful to not have to go down it and then back up I continued on. It was very humid, but thankfully just warm, not hot (temperatures in the 70s, I think). Sweat covered me like a second skin, but I felt pretty good.
Around the 11mi mark my legs were finally beginning to feel the first signs of tiredness. However, this was the 'good' type of tiredness, which I knew I could live with for a while. Once I went past the 12.5mi mark and into new terrain I perked up. The hike stayed close to a small stream, which wasn't the prettiest but made for a nice companion. At the 13.5mi I crossed the outlet of a small but scenic lake. Without a proper camera I had to make do with an iPhone photo of it.
Finally, after passing through some open forest, courtesy of logging activity, at the 15mi mark, near a stream I hit my turn around point. Since this would be the longest hike I'd ever done, I took care on the return to pace myself. I was at the car by 5:00pm, 11.75hrs after starting.
Stats: 30mi, 6100ft elevation gain, 11.75hrs
While I've never hiked the entire 70mi trail, even in sections, I know the first 12mi of the southwestern end like the back of my hand. This part comprises the hilliest bit of the trail, making it an ideal conditioning hike. In the past I've always turned around earlier than or at the 12.5mi mark, preferring to do laps on the biggest hill to increase the difficulty quotient. This time around I was in the mood to see some new territory, while also tucking in some elevation gain.
I was on the trail by 5:15am. It was pretty humid but the temperature was a comfortable 67°F. Since this was all familiar ground and the light was dim, it was switch off and walk time. 1.75hrs later, around the 5mi mark, I passed a whole slew of backpackers. These would be the only people I'd see for the next 8hrs.
The big 1200ft elevation gain climb at the 6-7.5mi stretch – the hill I typically do laps on – went fine. Thankful to not have to go down it and then back up I continued on. It was very humid, but thankfully just warm, not hot (temperatures in the 70s, I think). Sweat covered me like a second skin, but I felt pretty good.
Around the 11mi mark my legs were finally beginning to feel the first signs of tiredness. However, this was the 'good' type of tiredness, which I knew I could live with for a while. Once I went past the 12.5mi mark and into new terrain I perked up. The hike stayed close to a small stream, which wasn't the prettiest but made for a nice companion. At the 13.5mi I crossed the outlet of a small but scenic lake. Without a proper camera I had to make do with an iPhone photo of it.
Finally, after passing through some open forest, courtesy of logging activity, at the 15mi mark, near a stream I hit my turn around point. Since this would be the longest hike I'd ever done, I took care on the return to pace myself. I was at the car by 5:00pm, 11.75hrs after starting.
Stats: 30mi, 6100ft elevation gain, 11.75hrs
