Lookout Mountain One More Time

I made another hike up Lookout Mountain today. 

Heedless of the baking sun and temperatures in the 80s, I set out on my hike.  Within a quarter mile I was sweating profusely. 

My delusions of having increased my stamina in response to the past month's hikes were quickly dashed.  I commenced panting for air from the very bottom of the mountain and didn't stop until I reached the gates of the Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve at the very top.  In the trail-side weeds and bushes small animals ran in instinctive terror from the monster that gasped and wheezed.  Their ears told them that a mastodon had returned from extinction, a mastodon with acute bronchitis.

Lookout Mountain Again

I made my third hike up (and down) Lookout Mountain today.

It was a fine day for a hike.  The fluffy clouds were propitious and my feet were rested and ready.  I powered up the steep section at the start.  My legs were like iron but my lungs were like stiff rubber.  Stopping at the Windy Saddle overlook to catch my breath, I sat and took a picture of the view up the mountain.

I was sitting on a wood bench for this photo shoot.  Now, my townhouse furniture is made of wood but none of it can compare to this bench for sheer woodiness.

I did fairly well walking the rest of the way up the mountain -- lots of huffing and puffing but few episodes of doubling over and gasping for breath.  Very near the mountain's top I was treated to the sight of six deer grazing.  Here are the two most photogenic.

Three Mile Creek Trail

My younger son and I hiked the splendid Three Mile Creek Trail last weekend.  The trail frequently crossed Three Mile Creek on log bridges.  We counted ten bridges before we had to turn back because of hip-deep snow.  The trail is on my list for a summer hike.

From: www.wildernet.com:
"This popular hiking trail provides access into the heart of the southern half of the Mt. Evans Wilderness Area. The trailhead is along Geneva Creek Road and its terminus is the junction with the Rosalie Trail. The 6.5 mile hike is rated as moderately difficult due to its length and elevation gain. The trail offers spectacular high mountain scenery and vistas. The last mile of the trail is above tree line. Allow 3.5-4 hours to reach the junction with Rosalie Trail walking a moderate and steady pace. Because of its location in a designated wilderness area mountain bikes and other motorized/mechanized vehicles are prohibited.

The first 3 miles of the trail follow Three Mile Creek in a northeasterly direction. The stream and trail are in a narrow canyon with the trail crossing the stream at a dozen or so log bridges. At approximately mile 3 (l.5 hours of walking from the trailhead), you come upon a small open meadow with a rock cairn and signpost saying 'Trail'..."