This hike was well worth the struggle. Started my day off around 6am at the Mt. Wilson Trailhead Park in Sierra Madre, CA. The first part of my hike went better than I anticipated – slow and steady but reasonable pace, lots of fellow hikers and trail runners, the sun was just starting to rise so it wasn't hot yet. The general comradery made me smile. Then I hit about the halfway point up the hill and I started feeling the struggle. My pace slowed down significantly and every mile seemed longer and longer…but I was determined to push through. Finally I made it – several hours longer than I anticipated but I did it. I spent about 2-2 1/2 hours at the top resting and grabbing a bite to eat at the cafe before convincing myself to head back down. I finally completed my trek down around 7 pm-ish…hence the nickname: The Hike That Almost Killed Me.
After taking a day to rest and reflect on my adventure, I would conclude that I don't regret doing it and feel very accomplished in doing so. I do feel its worth noting that the hike actually ended up being closer to 15-15 1/4 miles than the 13-14 miles I was anticipating. Very much worth the struggle!
Responses
Good job!!! I feel your pain. Yesterday wasn’t my favorite day of hiking and I was thinking surely there had to be another way down ha!!! But you did it! So bragging rights to you!!!!