After a four-month summer hiatus, with the weather coming down to hospitable hiking temperatures, I was pumped to get back out there (and up there) on Mount Baden Powell. You'd think 40 switchbacks would get boring, but I have to say I really quite enjoyed the trail at every moment. The weather was perfect – chilly enough to wear a long sleeve and be comfortable climbing 3000 feet, but not too chilly at the top that I needed to break out my down coat. I brought my microspikes but didn't end up needing them — overall little teeny patches of snow were scattered about but no ice. I took a late start today in favor of getting some good sleep, eating loads of calories, and letting the temps heat up a bit before embarking at ~11:30 AM. It took me about 4 hours to finish the hike, including my meandering, snack breaks, and chilling out at Lamel Spring for ~20 minutes.

The highlight of this hike would have to be the time I spent at Lamel Spring. The little trail off to the side is awesome — super narrow but never back-against-the-ridge narrow and short enough to be worth the jaunt. If you sit there still enough, the birds might just let you hang out with them. I saw some chickadees bathe in the spring, loads of western bluebirds, a cardinal, robins, sparrows, and more! I highly recommend trekking over that way if you can.

Overall, a fantastic hike.