A Glorious Day for a Hike!

It was a glorious day for a hike! The spring-like weather, more than a month in advance of the calendar, presaged a great hike, decreed by Jackrabbit Slim as Mt. Sanitas, for the elevation gain! So we presented ourselves to the staff at North Boulder Cafe and were well served gastronomically and nutritionally for glorious day ahead.

We, Jackrabbit Slim, Ranger Glenn & I, reconvened on the County Courthouse lawn and wandered through alleys and backroads to the trailhead, a mere mile west of the courthouse, whereupon gazing on the beauty of the red rocks at the south end of Mt. Sanitas, I remembered that I had forgotten my recently procured hiking staff back at the car. As we began the ascent, 1500' in a little more than a mile, I recalled my profound respect and awe for this mount. It is a challenging stroll for almost everyone, save for those ultra-runners who will pass you three or four times on your ascent, but especially so for chronologically enhanced gentlemen who have neglected an at least annual visit hereto.

I had remembered my new heart rate monitor and iPhone antenna, so I was able to keep track of my exertion. Although I politely stepped aside for everyone I encountered on my way up to allow them to pass, my heart rate monitor accurately reflected how out of breath I was! But no matter surely! It was a glorious day! The sun was already shining on the west trail. It was warm with a cool-to-cold breeze wafting through occasionally. Everyone was "Hail fellow, well met!" Doggies were abundant on the trail, their tails creating small breezes on their own.

Some of the inspiring sights were 4 & 5 year olds, trudging their way up the mount, a father with 2 pre-six year old kids, a one year old in a baby backpack, and him with a prosthetic leg. We saw old friends finding each other for the first time this year, or in a year. We heard many accents.

The walk up was long, maybe almost 2 hours, but stopping afforded beautiful views! Near the top Jackrabbit Slim spied a large raptor in a tree. He peered down motionlessly, looking for plump morsels, as from time to time, we all do. The grade is relentless and for every 20'-30' stretch of low grade, is a slightly longer stretch of staircases of high steps or even worse, striated sedimentary rock thrust out of the ground 75-85 degrees off their original orientation, but canted like a funhouse floor, so that walking up is nearly an optical illusion and almost requires a third leg, like that hiking staff I left in the car. I mentioned this to Jackrabbit Slim, who immediately and graciously offered me his staff. I said, "No, if I suffer a little this time, I'll be more likely to remember it next time."

A gentleman with a German accent laughed and asked "Punishing yourself so you'll remember better?"

"Yep", I replied

"I do that all the time!", he continued laughing. I pondered the German nature of mi madre's parents surnames and rued the obvious connection: I came by this behavior honestly.

In spite of the beauty, my pace, my sometimes graceless ascent, I finally made it to the top! The cheery little souls who congratulated me with "You made it!" were slightly more irritating than their youth could excuse. I had just taken a picture of myself (Oh, Sacred iPhone, is there nothing you can't do?). I knew I didn't look that bad! At the top it was time to recharge batteries. I plugged in my new spare charger for my iPhone and watched it slowly regain its strength. I did the same by soaking in some incredible views. I was about 1500' above the Boulder Valley. I could see windmills standing still on the far southern plain, miles below Boulder. Working east, I saw the major egress points from Boulder, including the 40th parallel, aka Baseline. To the north, I saw Longmont and beyond. On a really clear day, I could have seen DIA with the naked eye, or as nekkid as mine ever get.

After 10 minutes near the top, I realized that the breeze had turned to a wind, the sun had been obscured by clouds and I was freezing in my t-shirt & long sleeve denim shirt. Being prepared with a jacket in my backpack, I quickly moved into the sun and eschewed further raiment. The sun recharged me as the battery juiced my iPhone. All too soon, it was time to descend. Although we had mostly trekked up in a solo manner, we three met at the summit and intended to head down together. We had gathered stories from those who had risen via the east trail and knew our (also recently acquired) ice cleats would be required later down the path. Ranger Glenn, prudent soul that he is, donned his snow-bound foot gear accessories at the start of the descent. We hiked a few hundred yards, with a reasonable loss of elevation when we encountered the ice covered trail. Mind you many had successfully traversed this 50 yard ice patch in sneakers or running shoes, there was nevertheless, a fairly precipitous decline just past the rocks along the edge of the trail. I watched a couple of ladies choose discretion over valor and slide down the steeper part of the trail on their bums. I watched a young man, probably a college kid scamper up the rocks on the side of the trail in his sneakers. Only after realizing he was missing a golden opportunity if not a critical moment in their potential relationship, did he retreat back down the rocks part way to extend his hand in support of his young lady friend who was not as quite as lithe and confident as he was upon the rocks at the edge of the cliff (well it seemed like a cliff to she & me!).

Knowing that a low center of gravity is not an inherent part of my physique and the inherent safety thereof, I crouched down and dug my new ice cleats into the ice and immediately ended up on my arse, sliding down the trail towards the rocks. Speed was not an issue, and my backpack helped to slow as well as guide me. With the help of not entirely unwanted verbal assistance from Ranger Glenn & Jackrabbit Slim, I was able to regain my footing, stature and composure and walk the last 20 yards of ice to safety.

Shortly thereafter, having relieved my boots of the no longer virginal ice cleats, calamity struck! Attempting to gain purchase with my boot sole on a very steep rock, my balance went behind me, driving my heels towards my butt at alarming speed. My massive thighs and finely-tuned calves sprang into action, quickly contracting, placing the entire burden of this 200 pound sack of sh-tuff on my knees. They, in turn, quickly responded with loud popping noises and a sharp stab of pain, likewise prompting my own response of "FTH" although actually taking the time to let folks around me know That Hurt!

I took more than a few minutes to regain my breath, lower my heart rate and assess what damage, if any had been done to my knees. Fortunately, both knees were weakened on both sides, so as long as I kept my weight centered on my knees, I was able to continue my descent.

Again with the funhouse rock staircases, again with the unending staircases of 12" diameter logs. But I carefully picked my way down, keeping a hand on nearby rocks for stability. Ranger Glenn offered to gather materials to construct a travois to help me down, but I quickly disabused him of the necessity of that offer. We caught up with Jackrabbit Slim, who of course called to see where we were just as I began crossing the last ice covered trail. When he learned of my misfortune, he insisted I use his hiking staff just before I did. He also provided a couple of Vitamin I pills to fight the inflammation. Gently chastising me all the while for not having a fully stocked first aid kit of my own. (The casual reader will take assurance knowing I have procured a suitable kit for $2!) The rest of the way was slow, uneventful and glorious. The sun struggled to shine through the clouds and keep the eastern side of the trail warm, and the temperature was perfect! Upon reaching the trailhead, we walked the final mile to our just rewards, a couple of pints, a plate of nachos at the Walnut Brewery in Boulder. My knees were sore, but they were not screaming at me as I walked the last few hundred yards to my vehicle. I was glad to arrive home, safe and mostly sound.

It had been a truly glorious day for a hike!