Training Log Archive: bl

Drove to Flat Creek trail head with Bruce & Beth. Part of the drive was holding-ones-breath & close one's eyes from the front seat passenger side. The NFS trail was up and down. I wasn’t the least bit interested in the ups being tired from the day before. We passed Flat Creek Ranch and accessed Flat Creek Lake. On the return, I opted for the “private” road’s flatness. A gorgeous valley and lake, the latter evidently made by a man-made dam.

No GPS signal at all which I find puzzling.

Return. The 315 never held a fix after 0.75 mi.
A range for all seasons.

C • Gorgeous! 3

Goodwin Lake hike in Gros Ventre range. I’d hoped to get to the ski cabin about a mile more and a bit higher with some easy bush wacking but events contrived and I did not. A heavy frost this morn but when I started around 9:45 it was quite nice in the sun. First issue was having to park a mile from the trail head due to road erosion. My little rental Kia wasn’t up to such ruts - the same with at least 4 other cars, a mile away and maybe 400’ below.

The hike, starting at 8100’ was about 3 miles each way with the unexpected mile added on. I’d budgeted 6 miles and 1400’ climb and was caught offguard. I still made good progress for me and made Goodwin Lake in about 2.5 hrs and 4 miles. The cabin was further on and then required leaving the trail. I walked the wrong way around the lake, dealing with some tiring scree and losing time finding the trail I needed. There were two fly fisherman there but they could not help with the cabin. But I just wasn’t thinking because I had the info on my phone, a small section of photographed USGS. I got on the correct trail and sat down for some food/drink for energy. My sitting there in the shade frightened a woman on her way to Jackson Peak. In retrospect, I wish I’d followed her for a boost to the point where I had to leave the trail. I was too low on energy, not inclined to climb nor bushwhack. I had 1pm as the time to be headed back and it was around 12:20.

Later, I thought to estimate distance to go by Goodwin Lake lengths - and there were about 5-6 to get to the cabin. I started descending and actually turned back once and went up. But something said I was headed into trouble. On the way down, I was kicking myself. I saw more hikers, the Bridger-Teton NF wasn’t as “lonely” and I’d pushed aside bears for the most part though I had repellent.

Lovely views, a good challenge but sad about the cabin. It was 50 years since I was first there. In the fall of ’69 (in my way to my Navy assignment in the Pacific), I stopped at JH and hiked to the cabin in October, just finding it as dark fell. It snowed that night and the cabin was a necessity. My college roommate Bruce and & passed thru Jackson Hole summer ’68 after graduation. He never left. Some 20 years ago, Beth and I hiked to the cabin and spent the night in the meadow in front. The cabin was dark and dingy and populated with mice. The meadow was buggy in high summer.

I so wanted to see it again. Next time.

Ferry across Jenny Lake, walk back with Beth, Bruce and Peggy. Some thunder/rain at Hidden Falls, the rest mostly in sun. I expected the trail to be at lake shore but it was much more interesting, up and down, great views. First did this 50 years ago.

Forgot the 315 and didn't trust the cell battery with Strava's depleting photo opportunity. Might come up with Bruce's app's gpx but not straightforward as I'd have liked.

Mission accomplished in roundabout fashion, ferry ride excluded. A simple gpx file was about impossible to find on MapMyRide.

Tiring given altitude change and lack of stamina.

Hike in Ditch Creek drainage to top of a small knoll for great views of Teton Valley & range. Hot, windy, dry. Paris and the three of us.