Searching for Fall Colors - Shawnee National Forest

Fall is in the air and so is the search for fall colors.  In Wisconsin for Fall 2013 - colors have been hard to find.  Multiple trips to Kettle Moraine State Forest have left me high and dry.  Lots of yellows, browns and greens.  No eye or breath catching oranges and reds or any of the other colors that make Fall feel like Autumn.

Finally, after weeks of searching and researching online, a perfect opportunity presented itself for me to find fall color.

Shawnee National Forest, Garden of the Gods Wilderness and the River to River Trail

Southern Illinois.  Shawnee National Forest, Garden of the Gods Wilderness and the River to River Trail.  I heard the colors were peaking and the weather was going to be warm after a couple of days of rain.  So on November 1st with a day of vacation, 7 hours of driving, the dogs and I were heading down to the southern tip of Illinois to do a backpack trip on the River to River Trail out of Garden of the Gods Wilderness area.

I visited this area once before in October 2011 and was completely amazed by the landscape.  The Shawnee National Forest is in the Ozark and Shawnee Forest area of southern Illinois and was the southern end of a glacier.  Because of this, there are many hills, valleys and some amazing rock formations in the area. It also lies between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers - thus leading to the River to River Trail.

Garden of the Gods - Shawnee National Forest, IL

Arriving at the backpacker's parking lot, I was one of two cars in the lot - and the other car was camping just inside the wilderness area.  To me, that meant, once I was away from the parking lot - I probably had the forest all to myself (well me and my two dogs of course).  And I was right.  The tranquility of the trail, the beauty of the fall colors and the swampiness conditions of the muddy trail made for a perfect way to welcome in November.  

Fall colors from a side hike into Garden of the Gods Wilderness

After a day of hiking and taking in the beauty around me, I found the perfect camp area on the edge of a bluff overlooking a valley.  And with day light dwindling early, I made dinner and settled in to watch the sun set over the hills of the Shawnee National Forest.

Sun setting on the trees at camp on the River to River Trail

View out over the Hills of Shawnee National Forest from the River to River Trail

After a restful night and watching an incredible sunrise - I packed up camp just as the next round of rain hit.  A quick hike back to the car and we were off to do a little more exploring of the eastern side of the Shawnee National Forest for another day before heading back to Wisconsin.

Finding fall colors, spending a night in the wilderness was just what my soul needed.  

"Going to the woods is going home." John Muir

 

Lessons Learned from My Dogs

Watching my dogs today as I was getting things organized so we could go for a car ride and then go for a hike to look at fall colors, I started to think about what little things like this mean to them.

A car ride means they get to go some where.  A hike means they get to explore the woods and wilderness; roam free and chase squirrels.  And the car ride home typically means we're going for ice cream.

Simple things.  Things that do not take a lot of effort.  Things that mean time spent doing what you love.  And time spent with what for me is my family that has four legs.

As my dogs continue to get older, I hope I can continue to give them the simple things in life that they love so much.  Because the simple things they love so much are a reminder to me on how to lead a simpler life.  Enjoy life at a relaxed pace.

Jasmine and Wailea hiking on the Ice Age Trail

Pushing My Own Limits & Finding My Adrenaline Rush

Vacations and Comfort Zones

Vacations to me are not meant to be something that is about comfort.  Vacations to me are all about escaping the everyday comforts that we have.  Vacations are for pushing your limits, going outside your comfort zone and getting an adrenaline rush.  For me - it's also a way to grow personally and expand my world beyond the every day.

My most recent vacation took me to the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Northeast Oregon and to Goat Rocks Wilderness in the Cascades of Washington.  While both backpacking locations initially didn't appear to provide anything really out of my comfort zones, Goat Rocks Wilderness proved me wrong.

Goat Rocks Wilderness, Pacific Crest Trail & Leading Blindly into the Clouds

The trip to Goat Rocks Wilderness started out with taking a route up that connected us to the Pacific Crest Trail and backpacking into the Cispus Basin.  Cispus Basin was beautiful with waterfalls and wild flowers every where.  What a peaceful place to set up camp for the night.

Camp at the Cispus Basin on the Pacific Crest Trail

Cispus Basin - Pacific Crest Trail - Goat Rocks Wilderness - Cascades

What we didn't know on day one is that the forecast we had seen when we last had cell service had probably changed for the following day.  A few hours after the sunset and after settling in the tent to listen to waterfalls in the basin, rain moved in.  Light showers coming in off the Pacific Coast fell off and on all night.  By early morning the rain had stopped and we got up to make breakfast, pack up and get ready to go.  We knew we had a long hike in front of us to climb up, cross the ridgeline and then drop back down to where we were going to camp in McCall Basin on the opposite side of the mountain ridge.  

Shortly after leaving camp we started hearing thunder in the distance.  As we continued to hike up toward the trail that would take us up to the ridgeline and over we started to get a good glimpse of what was coming at us.

View from the Pacific Crest Trail of the storm rolling in to the Cascades

We finally took a quick break in one of the last grove of trees to put on our full suit of rain gear and cover our packs.  Once we realized the rain wasn't going to stop anytime soon and that there was no sign of lightning we decided to head out and brave the rain.  What we didn't expect was what we ended up getting ourselves in to.  

The weather continued to get worse as we hit the higher elevations.  The winds picked up, the clouds rolled in and visibility went down to almost nothing.  

My brother crossing the snowfield in the fog - visibility was low.

As we continued up and hit the ridgeline with steep slopes on either side of us, the wind picked up to what we were guessing was hurricane force speed.  Just standing up at times was difficult and with the fog so thick you couldn't see the trail in front of you, this day definitely pushed my limits.  

Pacific Crest Trail along the ridgeline at Goat Rocks Wilderness.  Photo credit: Ken Vanden Heuvel

But what was most amazing up there is when the wind would push the cloud over the ridge and you'd actually get a few seconds to glance down before the next one would blow in - the brief views we had were amazing.  In the end after hiking the few miles of this ridgeline for a couple of hours and some breaks to take deep breaths to calm my nerves, we made it across in one piece.  The only incident we had was watching the wind take hold of the rain cover from my pack and blowing it out to who knows where.  

The other surprising thing that day - for as busy as the Pacific Crest Trail can be with the hikers nearing the end of their journey, we saw no one else on the ridgeline this day.  We did run into one thru hiker later that day as we headed down to McCall Basin who crossed behind us.  We figure we were probably the only 3 fools who decided to cross that day.  It was definitely a nasty day and probably not the smartest move we've ever made in our lives, but it sure did provide for an adrenaline rush and great memories that I'll never forget.

Once over we headed down to the McCall Basin to camp and dealt with the rain for the remainder of the day and night.  The clouds finally broke sometime around morning.  We spent most of the next day exploring the McCall Basin with the elk that were in the area.  No other humans around.  This made up for what we went through the day before.  

McCall Basin in Goat Rocks Wilderness - Cascades

After exploring the McCall Basin we headed back out and back up toward the pass and ridgeline - yes, we had to go back over the next day.  We camped right below the climb back up to the ridgeline and right in view of Mt Rainier.  We had great views for sunset and sunrise.

Finally the next day we hiked back up and over the ridgeline with the sun out and winds that you could stand up in.  It was an amazing hike back seeing all the glaciers and valleys below.  I was glad we were able to head back over and see what we couldn't see the first time over.

View of Mt Rainier from the Pacific Crest Trail and the trail along the ridgeline

Our last stop for this trip was a night at Goat Lake.  The most amazing thing, it was August 31, 2013 and Goat Lake still had ice partially covering it.  Beautiful lake, but a little too crowded with it being Labor Day weekend.  Thankfully we found a campsite that had a great view of Mt Adams and the valley below.  And for a place call Goat Rocks Wilderness, this was the only place I saw mountain goats.  How fitting.

A view from the Pacific Crest Trail of Goat Lake

Overall this trip was amazing and probably more amazing because I pushed my limits, went outside of my comfort zone and crossed that ridgeline.  And if I had to do it all over again, I'd be right up there taking on the hurricane force winds and crossing that ridgeline.  

Hope your vacations push your limits and take you outside your comfort zones.  Make it an epic vacation and something that you'll always remember.

And as with most blog posts, I like to end with a John Muir quote - this one seems perfect as I received much more than I seeked on this journey.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.  John Muir

The Story of Trees

Hiking in the Forest

When I'm hiking in the forest I notice a lot of things.  Because of the peaceful surroundings I'm able to take in the sounds, the smell and the environment.  I think one of the things I enjoy most is the environment.   When left alone, a forest can grow, mature, die and start over again.  

Over the last couple of years, I've really noticed this more and more.  And I'm always amazed when I see old trees surrounded by much younger trees.  It always makes me wonder what is their story.

The Majesty of Trees

I love to photograph old / big trees.  When I do - I always stop and take in their structure, their location and their surroundings.  Many times if you look around the tree - most trees around it are younger growth trees.  I then often wonder, how did this one tree or this group of trees survive?  What was here before that only this tree is left?  Did someone plant this tree?  How old is this tree?

Old growth tree - Long Lake Campground

Photographing old trees in just the right light can always make it look powerful and strong.  And then makes me wonder will the other trees around ever get the chance to get that old and big?  Or will someone, some day come along and cut it down.

The view from the Ice Age Trail @ Holy Hill

Maybe a little philosophical - but old trees are like the heart and soul of what holds a forest together.  Without them and their presence all we'd have are young trees and forests.  The magic would be gone.

Door County Wilderness - Off the Beaten Path

Traveling to one of Wisconsin's most popular locations - Door County, one doesn't expect to find area's protected as Wilderness.  But that's exactly what you'll find when you head to Newport State Park on the tip of Door County.

Newport State Park

I am somewhat fond of this state park because of it's Wilderness declaration (it is the only state park in Wisconsin that is designated as a wilderness park), but also because this is where I had my first backpacking experience back on May 1st 2010.  I've camped since I was 6 months old, stayed on hike in campsites, but never took my pack and gear and did a backpacking experience.  And when I finally did it, I didn't just grab my gear, but also enough gear for two dogs.  And in early May, in Door County, and directly on Lake Michigan.  Yes, it was cold as I remember.

Backpacking at Newport State Park

Newport State Park does not allow campers.  All 16 campsites in this park are backpack sites.  With the craziness of Door County and all the tourists, you can escape that easily at this park.  It's one of the reasons I make a point to take at least one trip each year back up here.  Very rarely when I'm hiking the trails do I run into another person.  (There's about 30 miles of trails in the park.)  And so far since 2010, I've made another four trips.  Each time, experiencing a different time of the year.  Spring, Summer months, Fall - and it doesn't matter when you go, it's always quiet and beautiful.  

Newport Beach State Park - View from site to Lake Michigan

One of the things I really like about this park is how you can go from a beach shoreline to a rugged shoreline.  All within a short hike.  And with the wilderness designation, you can see and experience all types of wildlife (be careful of the porcupines).  

Rocky ledges @ Newport State Park, Door County, WI

And because of the lack of people - I think it's one of my dogs favorite parks.  They run off leash and get to swim in Lake Michigan.  It's so fun to watch them run and chase the waves on Lake Michigan.  And then after dinner, they're pretty much done for the day.  

Then once they're done - I can relax and watch the moon rise over Lake Michigan.  Eventually turning in for what is typically the best sleep I get - outdoors and in a tent.  Sun, fresh air, hiking and peace and quiet in the wilderness.  What else can one ask for?  

Moon rising over Lake Michigan @ Newport State Park

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”   John Muir

Ice Age Trail - Blue Spring Lake Segment Field Editor

Documenting the Ice Age Trail

This year I volunteered to be a Field Editor to help with the preparation of the 2014 Ice Age Trail Guidebook.  Volunteers select a segment of the 1,000 mile Ice Age Trail, take previous notes and maps into the field with them to review and do research on the segment they have.  In the end they'll add comments, updates, interesting facts and photos of the segment they're editing.  It's a really great opportunity for those of us that love the Ice Age Trail to slow it down and experience it in a different way.

Blue Spring Lake Segment

Lucky for me I was able to grab the Blue Spring Lake Segment to edit in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest section that included the one last piece of Ice Age Trail I hadn't yet hiked in the Southern Kettle area.  I had hiked from both ends of it previously, but had never hiked the middle piece of the trail I was going to edit.  So this turned out perfect for me.

Ice Age Trail - Blue Spring Lake Trail Segment

This section of the trail covers just over 7 miles of trail one way.  In order to completely and accurately take notes and compare to previous documentation, I decided to split it in two hikes and take my time.  Plus it allowed me to bring my dogs along for the hikes.

Day 1 - Hiking Young Rd to Horseriders Campground

On a perfect spring day with cooler temperatures, the dogs and I were off to start our documenting and editing of the Blue Spring Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail and hit up the one section of the Ice Age Trail in Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest I hadn't hiked yet.  We drove to the western edge of the segment and hiked the 4.2 miles of trail that this section covered (1 way - 8.4 miles round trip).  This section of the trail includes lots of hills, hardwood forest and some pretty great points of interest.

Ice Age Trail - Blue Spring Lake Segment Elevation Profile

It basically starts out immediately with a short hike from the road to a quick 100 foot incline up a few switchbacks to reach the Bald Bluff Scenic Overlook and Natural area.  The Bald Bluff overlook provides some great views of the area surrounding it.

View from Bald Bluff Scenic Overlook & Natural Area

After heading back down the other side of the bluff, you'll walk another 1.5 miles or so to get to the next point of interest, the Stone Elephant.  The Stone Elephant is large granite erratic left over from when the glaciers moved through Wisconsin.  History has it that the Prairie Potawatomi Indians used to visit this place often.

Personally, I'm still trying to see the "elephant" in this rock because after visiting the Stone Elephant twice now and viewing it from all angles, I can only really see a whale.  Guess I'll have to go back a third time.

The Stone Elephant

The Stone Elephant

The remainder of the hike on day 1 was a beautiful, peaceful walk through old oak forests and some pine forests.  The old oak forests included a lot of old black oak trees and in early spring, these trees were still bare or just starting to get their leaves.  It made them look so dark and almost intimidating like they were reaching out to grab you, but still regal and towering over the forest.

Old oak forest - Ice Age Trail - Blue Spring Lake Segment

After taking a short break at the Horseriders Campground for a quick drink and snack, the dogs and I turned around and walked the 4.2 miles back to the car.  Overall - this section of the trail in early spring is a winner.  Trees are growing their leaves, spring flowers are starting to bloom and the dogs and I basically had the first almost 4 miles of the trail to ourselves and on the return trip - the entire trail to ourselves until we hit Bald Bluff.

Day 2 - Hiking Horseriders Campground to Emma Carlin Trailhead

The second half of the Ice Age Trail - Blue Spring Lake Segment that I covered from the Horseriders Camp to Emma Carlin Trailhead was about 3.3 miles in length one way.  Unlike the first section we hiked that included the Bald Bluff and Stone Elephant, this section didn't include any points of interest like that.  This section instead was mostly hardwood forest with more glacial terrain of hills.  

Ice Age Trail - Blue Spring Lake Segment - Horseriders to Emma Carlin Elevation Profile

I've done this section twice before, once during a hot, wet summer and just this last winter via snowshoe.  I really like this section of trail.  In spring you'll see plenty of Mayapples (or umbrella plants).  These plants will appear and unfurl before the trees get their leaves, leaving the forest floor full of these beautiful, bright spring plants.  In the winter, this section is great for snowshoeing and getting great views of the valley floor.  The only downfall for this section is the standing water.  It's a breeding bed for mosquitoes, so if it's a hot, wet summer - bring plenty of bug spray or pay the consequences and plan to be a blood donor to mosquitoes.  

Mayapples on the Ice Age Trail

Winter on the trail - Ice Age Trail - Blue Spring Lake Segment

Now that I've documented, edited, photographed and researched it, I just need to finish pulling it all together and getting my section - the Blue Spring Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail - done and off.  So in 2014 - watch for the new Ice Age Trail Guidebook.  And when you pick up your copy - think of me when you're reviewing the Blue Spring Segment information.

And if you want to experience it, let me know, I'd be glad to take you out on the trail and show you some of points of interest and cool little areas I found as I took my time really getting a chance to take it all and know this area unlike I knew it before.


Additional Posts -
Hiking in the First Snowfall - Northern Kettle Moraine
Winter Hiking on the Ice Age Trail - Southern Kettle Moraine & incidents with hunters

Mt Whitney - The Journey

Applying to Join Backpacker Magazine

It's hard to believe it's been just over 9 months already since I applied to join Backpacker Magazine and their editor Jonathan Dorn to climb Mt Whitney, the highest point in the "lower" 48 states.  Knowing it would be an incredible journey if I was picked not only because would it provide me a chance to combine skills I've gained from various other climbing and hiking I've done into an actual mountaineering experience, but also because it was in conjunction with Summit For Someone (SFS).  I've seen the ads in Backpacker Magazine for years, checked out their website for climbs and have contemplated going on a journey with them because of what SFS stands for and how it supports and benefits Big City Mountaineers.

And with the help of a lot of friends who showed their support by posting comments on my "I Want to Climb Mt Whitney" blog post about why I should be selected, I found out in October 2012 I was selected.

Getting Selected to Climb Mt Whitney

I think the day I found out I was selected to go along on this journey I went through a lot of emotions.

• Excitement - wow, I was going to get to do this.
• Worry - do I have a pet sitter?  My parents will be in Hawaii in April.
• Distress - What did I get myself into?  
• I now have to raise $4,000 
• I have to train for another climb (having just done Mt Kilimanjaro earlier in 2012)

But again - all of the things I was worried about fell in place.  My parents arrive back the day before I leave - pets will be taken care of.  Training started immediately in October and I'm feeling pretty good and strong. And again, incredible friends reached out to me when I put out the call that I was going to climb Mt Whitney and helped me to raise the money for this great cause.

And Now It's Time to Climb Mt Whitney

• The training is done.  
• The gear not already owned is purchased.  
• Test packing all this gear in the pack is done.
• Travel from Las Vegas to Lone Pine is coordinated.
• Mentally, I am prepared!

And most importantly - team Whitney Four-Teeners is psyched about what we're doing, the reason we're doing it and having the opportunity to meet and make some new lifelong friends.

And as John Muir said  -  "The Mountains are Calling and I Must Go."  

The time has come, the journey begins and a summit is within our near future.  Mt Whitney - here I come!

Put Your Boots On - Go For a Hike

Over the years I've found that my closet has become crowded with multiple pairs of hiking boots.  Unlike most females I know who have a closet full of nice, fancy shoes, I have a closet full of hiking boots, trail runners and other outdoor related footwear.

What does this say about me?  To me it says I'm a person who likes to be outdoors.  And I'm glad to be that person.

Enjoying Nature while backpacking in the Bridger Teton National Forest

Every time I look in my closet I see potential.  Wearing hiking boots means I'm going to be outside, taking a hike, spending time with my dogs, family and/or friends.  It means seeing nature, watching the changing seasons, listening to the birds and just breathing in the deep smells of mother earth.  It means I'm relaxing and letting nature heal my soul.  

So go put your boots on and go for a hike.  And enjoy the Healing Powers of Nature.

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks"  John Muir

Canyons and Waterfalls in Illinois

Living in the Midwest, sometimes it's hard to believe that the terrain isn't really as flat as one would think when thinking of the Midwest.

This weekend I was reminded again of the beauty left behind by the glaciers that came through centuries ago.  I've visited Starved Rock State Park in Utica, IL a couple of times before, but always in the fall for the fall colors.  As you drive up toward the park entrance, you don't think anything of it.  The land is flat all around you with a few hills, but nothing that would make you think you were driving into something amazing.  You drive over the Illinois River and you start to get a glimpse, but really, still no visual clues of what you're going to be experiencing once you enter the park.

Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park

Once you turn off and enter the park, you start to get an idea though.  You drive down a road that is bordered by large rock bluffs overlooking you.  You start to get an idea of what was to come.  But even driving into the main parking lot - still not much of a giveaway to what you just parked your car in the middle of.

Once you get out of the car and hit the first trail that takes you on along the river, you'll start to see the magic of what the glaciers and the Illinois River did to this area.  The glaciers and river carved out some incredible canyons along the river, leaving behind beauty one could never have imagined when driving toward the park.

Being the beginning of spring, this weekend provided even more amazing sights to be seen while hiking through the park to view all the canyons.  The spring melt off of what winter threw at the park left myself and other visitors great views of the waterfalls and remaining ice falls that come to life in the spring.

Ice Fall and Waterfall in French Canyon - Starved Rock State Park

When watching these waterfalls, you get the idea this landscape is still changing and will continue to change with each passing year.  As the ice and snow melt and create these wonderful waterfalls, the rock continues to be carved out and the land below changes with the sediment from the waterfalls and the washout to the Illinois River.

Illinois Canyon at Starved Rock State Park

This is an amazing place to visit in central Illinois.  And if you like waterfalls - don't stop here.  Make sure you check out some other of the amazing places the Midwest has to offer that the glaciers have provided us.  No, the Midwest is not flat.  Here's some great ideas to visit:

• Minnesota's Superior Coast
• Wisconsin's Driftless Area
• Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois

Get out and enjoy what nature has provided you.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods.  Wash your spirit clean."  John Muir.

Never Giving Up - Adventure on the Trails

Being an avid outdoors person, I have encountered more than my share of things that would make most people pause, stop and possibly turn around on the trails.  But not me!  I find times like that as the perfect opportunity to stop, assess the situation, analyze the possibilities and then make the next move.  This goes for encounters with wildlife and crazy weather conditions.

Wildlife on the Trails

I think of all of them, wildlife is the scariest, but is also the most amazing.  Mountain Biking has usually provided me the most interesting encounters.

Running into a mother black bear with her two cubs in northern Wisconsin.  Thankfully I saw them early enough that I was able to stop, assess and turn my bike sideways to make myself look bigger and then just wait.  Finally after standing on her hind legs, she dropped down and took her cubs back into the woods.  After a little while, I jumped back on my bike and continued on - definitely making sure to watch and listen closely as I rode by where she wandered into the woods.

The second scariest was while mountain biking in Moab, UT.  Taking a break at the top of the Amasa Back trail, I took a walk to the edge to look at the Colorado River and was standing next to a tree.  Next I know I heard a rattle - let me say - I looked, saw how far away it was and backed away quickly.  I don't mind snakes, but standing close to a rattlesnake is not where I wanted to be.  The bike ride back down Amasa Back was much more uneventful.

Crazy Weather on the Trails

Backpack with me and be ready for anything.  Because that's probably what you're going to get.  Rain - not just rain, but torrential rains, snow, sleet, wind, mud, ice...  Shall I go on?  It will definitely be a trip you'll never forget.

Cabinet Mountains and Glacier National Park

My most memorable was a vacation out west.  First three days was a trip up into the Cabinet Mountain range of Montana.  On day two as we climbed up to St Paul Pass the storm moved in.  Not a bad storm, but snow started falling as soon as we got to the top of the pass.  What makes it memorable is when you are heading down and you realize that with all the wet snow and then rain, that your Goretex boots have finally given out.  

St Paul Pass, Cabinet Mountains

It was a long hike back down to camp in the rain and snow with cold, wet feet.  At camp I had to ring out my socks and put them back on.  Still had one more day before heading out and moving on to Glacier National Park for part two of the trip.  The next morning my socks were almost frozen when I put them on and made the long hike back down to the car.  

Thankfully we found one store in Libby, MT that had a pair of boots.  I bought them and decided I would break them in while backpacking through Glacier National Park over the next four days.  And I had plenty of opportunities to make sure they were waterproof.  Almost every day in Glacier National Park it rained.  Lots of rain, lots of mud and glaciers. 

Boulder Peak - Glacier National Park

Someday I really need to go back here and see the back country without the rain.  

El Chalten, Argentina

Yes, typical Patagonia weather, hard to predict.  Woke up one day and decided to hike the trail up to Fitz Roy - it was supposed to be a nice day.  I thought perfect day to view the infamous Fitz Roy.  I packed my lunch and threw my rain gear in my backpack for a day trip.  As I headed up - the weather changed.  Rain, sleet, snow - it was all there.  At the climber's camp many people were hanging out in the shelter and turning around to head back down.  From there up to the lake and the route to Fitz Roy was where the wind and wet snow really hit.  While most people turned around to head back to town - I continued and ventured up alone to the top.  Very slowly climbing the trail of wet, snow covered rocks, I finally made it to the top.  I connected up with the two other guys who ventured up before me - the three of us exchanged cameras and turned around knowing if time permitted, we'd have to come back.  The weather was so bad you could just see the lake but no view of Fitz Roy.

Lago de Los Tres and "Fitz Roy"

Thankfully - I did have the extra day and did get to go back up and catch a great view of Fitz Roy.  Gotta love Patagonia and the crazy weather.

Lago de Los Tres and Fitz Roy on a clear day.

Nope, I never gave up and continued on with my adventures and still do so today.  I love the adventure, I love the challenges it all brings and by never giving up - I always feel accomplished when the adventure is over.  And then of course, I'm ready to start planning for the next.

Training for Another Mountain Climb

Seems like almost every year in early spring I like to take vacations that are always adventurous.  And many times these vacations require preparation and training.  March 2012 it was climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.  April 2013 it will be climbing Mt Whitney to raise money for Big City Mountaineers.

I think one of the things I like most about taking these vacations in the early spring is the fact I have to train all winter long.  It provides me a great opportunity to dig out the winter gear and go.

Today I just wanted to share with you some of my favorite places I've gotten to this winter for training and why these places are special to me.  Maybe next time you're thinking I'd like to go for a walk or a hike some where new - you'll get to explore on of these places and find the magic in them like I do.

Mt Kit Carson (Mt Spokane State Park)

Spokane, WA

OK, so for those of you in Wisconsin - this is not near us.  But this was probably one of the best snowshoeing trips I did this winter for training.  It was a beautiful place to snowshoe and had a great view of the Spokane Valley and out toward Idaho's panhandle.

The trail starts out following a small stream that yes, even with all the snow, was still flowing in the winter.  It then follows up through the woods and provides peeks of the area all the way up.  And if you really like snow and the magic of mother nature and how she can sculpt snow with all her powers, you'll really enjoy this trip.  I saw snow that was so heavy on trees that it made the tree roll over on itself and look like a candy cane and/or snail.

Snow sculptures along trail up Mt Kit Carson

Mt Kit Carson - Mt Spokane State Park

The trail starts at about an elevation of 3,900 ft and ends at about 5,260 ft.  Once at the top, I took a break to take in the views, have a little lunch and head back down.  This was the perfect place to be on December 21, 2012 and end another year of adventures.

View from atop Mt Kit Carson

Ice Age Trail - Multiple Areas

Southern Kettle Moraine - State Park Headquarters

Heading west toward the Horse Riders Camp

This is a great hike.  You start off on the Ice Age Trail heading through an open field.  In the winter it can be a big expanse of white snow and during the spring, summer and fall it's full of wild flowers.  Absolutely beautiful.  And if you're lucky enough like I was this winter, I got to break trail.  Since no other human footprints were in the snow, I was able to see many of the tracks left by the natural inhabitants to this area.

You could see the field mice tracks running around on top of the snow and then where they dove under.  You could see the fox tracks on the Ice Age Trail that would go off trail when they caught the scent of the field mice.  And plenty of rabbit tracks as you got closer to the edge of the field toward the wooded area.  Nature at its best.

Following fox tracks on the Ice Age Trail

And then once you get back in the woods - peace, quiet and solitude.  Looking at the shadows of the trees on the snow, listening to the birds, eating lunch by a frozen pond.  What else could you ask for?  What a perfect place to snowshoe.  

Ice Age Trail - Southern Kettle Moraine - West from headquarters

It's Wisconsin, so for training we don't have any mountains to climb, but this was a good trail for some quick hits up and down for pushes of about 175 ft.

Southern Kettle Moraine - Ice Age Trail - Eagle Segment

Great day to get those snowshoes out and train because of the friends I had with me.  It was great getting them out snowshoeing especially since one had not done it before.  I love introducing people to the outdoors so this was a special snowshoe trip.

We had fresh snow and got to break some trail while out on the Ice Age Trail.  It was also a part of the Ice Age Trail I hadn't been on in a while so it was great to visit it again.  Another area where you get to go through some open fields where in the summer months are filled with wild flowers.  And this is Wisconsin so getting to snowshoe along the farmer's fields in the winter provides you with open views of the woods and area that Southern Kettle Moraine and these people get to call home.  Beautiful.

Ice Age Trail - Eagle Segment

Ice Age Trail - Eagle Segment

Again - not a lot of elevation to gain while training, but another 135 ft gained on this day.

Northern Kettle Moraine - Ice Age Trail - Milwaukee River Segment

Probably one of the most scenic (in my opinion) parts of the Ice Age Trail in Northern Kettle Moraine.  From the New Fane trails parking lot, you'll head through the forest and then an open field for a bit.  But after crossing the road, you're in the woods.  The first section once you cross the road is full of remnants of the glaciers that went through Wisconsin.  High hills that you'll cross over and walk between provide some amazing scenery.  

View from the Ice Age Trail - Milwaukee River Segment

I trained here by snowshoeing on one of our coldest days.  It was -4 degrees fahrenheit this day with the wind.  The second segment of this trail after crossing the next road climbs a hill and for a while follows the edge of the bluff.  From here you can see out quite a ways and even see the ski hill in Kewaskum, WI.  It really is an amazing view.  But didn't stay up here too long on this day due to the wind.  Continued on with the dogs and got back in the trees for the little protection they provide during the winter months.

Ice Age Trail - Milwaukee River Segment

Again, not much elevation gain - maybe about 200 ft from the lowest point to the highest point, but still a good area to snowshoe in.  And again, finding peace and solitude in the woods.  

Training Continues

Those are just some of the favorite spots so far this winter where I've gone snowshoeing for training, though are not the only ones.  I hope this makes you want to go out and hike or snowshoe some of these areas.  They really are a great way to explore nature and some of the natural surroundings of the Kettle Moraine areas of Wisconsin.  Our state park system does a great job of maintaining and providing this for us to use, so get out there and use it.  And if you ever need someone to explore it with - just let me know.