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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
34 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2012 : 9:22 PM
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So, I've been out with a back injury since mid Novemeber and living vicariously through everyones trip reports through the winter. So, thanks to all for keeping me entertained!
In the past few weeks I've been getting out now that I'm all mended up. Slowly but surely I'll build myself back up to what I was last fall. Right now I'm carrying a few extra pounds and I'm not used to it.
I decided on Upper Shannon falls after having Diez Vistas kick my ass last week. I think that I have hikers amnesia because I don't remember any of these hikes feeling that steep...
Anyway, hauled my but slowly up the stupid stairs on the first part of the Cheif trail to the turn off to upper Shannon falls. I remember a day when it was just rock and rickety one step log ladders.... those were the days.
I had to cross this bridge:
Takes a little sense of adventure as it's missing a few boards and looks as though it'll collapse with the weight of a butterfly.
The trail from there was a bit flatter to give me some reprive from my burning lungs. But not for long. A little hand over foot action through an old boulder patch, up a few rotting slippery, old log ladders, and through some mud and then I was on flatter ground again. The trail could use a little love and maintenance, but I also like the "rustic" and "quaintness" of it. Such a difference from the revamped Cheif trail.
I have very few pictures because I put my camera away and I was just too lazy and out of breath to bother taking off my pack and getting it out again. There is a spot on the trail with quite a few visible scratch marks on the trees, as well as newly busted open stumps... Made me a little uneasy so I made a bit more noise than usual to alert any large critters.
The grouse were out and about making their usual "whooomp whooomp whooomp" sound they make at this time of year.
The falls were booming, as is the norm at this time of year and quite a hynotizing sight. In no time I was at the look out:
 
I took a nice 20 minutes break and then gathered my self up and headed back down. Easier said than done, shakey legs and all. Great hike, short but sweet. |
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 Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3052 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2012 : 9:49 PM
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| That's a great little early season leg stretcher. Always a nice quiet alternative to the Chief. |
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
908 Posts |
Posted - 04/24/2012 : 10:14 PM
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| I love that it is so much less busy on this trail even on really wonderful days! |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2012 : 7:37 PM
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I feel your former pain. Taking lots of short breaks and I am amazed at how soon my energy
levels reboot. So, for me, lots of very short breaks which makes for very little down time at the end. Then, I ice down every time I work out doing anything.
My favorite is a gallon bag filled with ice that I put under the brake pedal. I take my shoes and socks off and let them glide on the icy bag....ahhhh all the way home hehe
Way to get out there and enjoy what we all love to do. One foot in front of the other.
I find when I solo hike, I am less apprehensive and don't push myself over the limit.
I love people, but solo hiking is fun, too.
So, what is Fireweed? I ran or swam into (fire coral) in the bahamas once and found out
first hand hehe as it felt like hot taco sauce was poured into an open wound....
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
34 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 02:27 AM
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Fireweed is a pretty purple flower that grows in forest fire burn patches.... but I'm also a "ginger"  so Think fire -insertsomethingelse- |
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Fast hikin, carrot chompin, always grinnin, gear scatterin recipient of the Theta Lake manouver
Burnaby
2039 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 08:29 AM
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| I went there for the first time a few weeks ago. A nice difference from the Chief trail in way less people and a little rougher around the edges. Nice little hike! |
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Coffee swillin', wine lovin', Owl fearin' Andie McDowell stunt double, who sports retro gear
Vancouver, BC
5464 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 09:52 AM
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I did that hike last year for the first time with a couple of beginner hikers (I was under the impression that it was "easy" hahaha, but it was about the limit of their physical capacity).
I thought it was a surprisingly nice little hike, and a great alternative to the busy Chief trail. Too bad it's about to be ruined by that gondola development.
(And welcome back, Rented Mule!!!) |
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Upper Shannon Falls
