Date: July 30, 2011
Total Distance: 5.67 miles
Time: 3:30 (hr:min)
Elevation Gain: 702 feet
Configuration: Balloon
Difficulty: Moderate to Most
There were no ankle sprains. No need for headlamps. No anxious hyperventilating (just hyperventilating from the strenuousness). We returned to Hawk Mountain, and left with more dignity and grace then the last time (read: we didn't run from the place crying with the flashlight guiding our way out!)
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Hawk Mountain Office |
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When you first arrive at Hawk Mountain, you have to stop at the office to pay a trail fee. Totally worth it - these trails are well-blazed and well-kept, and the staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. We actually purchased a family membership today to show our support! Otherwise, the trail fee is $5.
Based on our previous experience, we had decided on our path a week ago - and had decided to put off the Skyline Trail to another day. Don't be disappointed! We took the Lookout Trail to the South Lookout first.
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View from South Lookout |
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So far, so good! We then continued along the Lookout Trail for about a mile. Our hiking poles came in very handy during this hike, as balance was quite important throughout the trip. While the Lookout Trail was nice to walk along, the number of people milling around and screaming at either each other or their children harshed my hiking buzz quite a bit! When we were here at the beginning of May, we went on a Friday, and there was barely another soul around. I would've loved if that were the case again, but sadly it wasn't.
Staying to the left of the Lookout Trail, we hit a good stride, maintaining our balance as we walked over the small rocks while avoiding small bursts of people along the way. After about 1.25 miles, we found ourselves at the North Lookout, which was on the other side of the 8-foot high rock climb that deterred us during Hike #4.
The view was...
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Breathtaking view from the North Lookout - pictures cannot do this justice |
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We spent some time here taking in the panorama. If you are truly a beginner hiker, I would do your best to make it up this trail to the North Lookout. It is well worth the effort!
We took the Express Trail out from the North Lookout and then picked up the River of Rocks loop. Everything was just as I remembered, although this time Francesca ventured into the valley of rocks to get this impressive picture for you all:
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Francesca hiked directly into the "River of Rocks" |
It was much more peaceful as we hiked along the River of Rocks trail, with scarcely another person in sight. When we did meet up with other people hiking, they were thoughtful and friendly as any hiker should be. However, the heat index was at least in the mid-to-high 90s, and it was very worrisome to see so many people out hiking without any means of hydration. The River of Rocks trail will take a beginner at least 4 hours to complete; an experienced hiker may only need 3 hours. Either way, that is too long of a time to go without any means or substantially inadequate means of hydration (see this REI article about hydration: Why Hydrate?) We had 3 liter hydration bladders filled with 1/2 liter of gatorade (the green kind!) and 2 1/2 liters of water. You need to balance the water with some electrolyte and carbohydrate containing fluids. I cannot stress this enough - stay well hydrated (of course, without overdoing it).
Over the course of over 3 1/2 hours, we trekked through a good portion of Hawk Mountain, and it was amazing! And, other than muscle fatigue, we suffered no physical trauma along the way. After 18 hikes spanning over 70 miles, we are in better shape to deal with a strenuous hike - or at least good enough shape so as not to completely embarrass ourselves in front of our friend, Anna, who also hiked with us today.
I leave you with one last picture. In the middle of the River of Rocks, there is a small island of trees - persevering and thriving - defying all expectations....
.... and it was simply amazing.