Acclimation Day #2

My plan today was to drive up to the Winsor Trailhead and hike both Deception and Lake Peaks. My second peaks of the NM SPOP Challenge. Since Deception and Lake Peaks were only about 6.4 miles and had an elevation gain of just over 2,400 feet, I figured I could easily head over to Cerro Grande and knock out the 4.4-mile hike for my 3rd peak of the NM SPOP Challenge.

Well, things didn’t quite go as planned. I began my hike up to Deception and Lake Peaks just after 9am. The Winsor Trailhead starts at 10,264 feet and the hike itself climbed up to just over 12,400 feet. Those who know, know that I have spent the better part of the past two months at sea level. Acclimating to this elevation, other than Mount Taylor at just over 11,000 feet yesterday, had been non-existent. That said, I had a rough day today. I was sucking wind and was really slow.

Once up at the summit of Deception Peak, the class 2/3 exposed climbs to Lake Peak, were a challenge. I made it up as close to the summit as I could but ended up turning back just a little shy. I did find myself in a few precarious positions and had to alter my route a little. This changed my miles and elevation gain for the hike.

As I began my descent (following another hiker) I found a charging cord. Thinking it may be his, I followed as quickly as I could to catch him. When I was with a few hundred feet of him, I noticed a few signposts that I did not recall seeing on my way up. So, I checked my map and realized I had gone about a 1/3 of a mile down in the wrong direction. So, I turn back following the slope (not the trail) back to where it would meet my trail.

My descent was uneventful and I ran into several hikers making their way up. I managed 7.3 miles today and a total elevation gain of 2,769 feet. This effort took me over 5 hours. So, I opted not to attempt Cerro Grande. I’ll wait until tomorrow.

All in all, it was still a great day on trail.