Training Log Archive: dlevineIn the 30 days ending Sep 30, 2019:
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Saturday Sep 28, 2019 #
3 PM
Watching A Play 2:06:14 [1] 2.37 mi (53:16 / mi) +111m 46:30 / mi
ahr:81 max:133
Watching a Play.
Yup! "Arts in the Open" was putting on a play - I forget the title, but it was a 'paranormal mystery' - at the Chattauqua Institute in Boulder, CO. We got to hike, sit and watch a scene or two, and then repeat the entire endeavor. In the model of a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, we got to vote on what scenes might or might not come next. I don't think that affected where we hiked, but I have certainly never covered 2+ miles while watching a play before!
Yup! "Arts in the Open" was putting on a play - I forget the title, but it was a 'paranormal mystery' - at the Chattauqua Institute in Boulder, CO. We got to hike, sit and watch a scene or two, and then repeat the entire endeavor. In the model of a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, we got to vote on what scenes might or might not come next. I don't think that affected where we hiked, but I have certainly never covered 2+ miles while watching a play before!
Friday Sep 27, 2019 #
10 AM
Biking 1:03:00 [2] 9.3 mi (6:46 / mi)
Biking with my brother-in-law through some of the Boulder bike paths. Absolutely beautiful. Only strange thing was being on my sister-in-law's bike...
Thursday Sep 26, 2019 #
Note
We didn't really "hike" as we went through the Tetons, but we did get a few nice shots of those mountains, too. This one (Mount Moran) is from the redundantly named "Oxbow Bend" viewing area.
...while this one (Grand Teton, I think) is from further down the highway...
We eventually made it back to Jenny Lake, but couldn't take the time for a hike as we had "miles to go before we [slept]"
...while this one (Grand Teton, I think) is from further down the highway...
We eventually made it back to Jenny Lake, but couldn't take the time for a hike as we had "miles to go before we [slept]"
Wednesday Sep 25, 2019 #
9 AM
Walking/Hiking 1:58:06 [1] 2.91 mi (40:35 / mi) +23m 39:37 / mi
ahr:79 max:117
For our last full day in Yellowstone, we began at Norris Geyser Basin. Always crowded, it was extra exciting by the time we left. We continued our good luck of walking in at the right time. We got to see the "after eruption" of Steamboat Geyser. Steamboat erupts about once a week (plus or minus two days) but is one of the tallest geysers in the world. We got there about 9:30, only to find out that it had gone off at 6:22. We got only the "after eruption" which is nonetheless impressive.
Normally, an after eruption is smaller than this and lasts only about twenty minutes, but this one continued for almost two hours. (We were told that's unheard of.) Word got out and the area was being swarmed with folks - mostly too late - as we were moving to the other basin.
The thermophilic bacteria-filled creeks here were chromatically impressive and we enjoyed them and the general view of Porcelain Basin.
As we drove off, we saw this guy from the road.
We continued off to Yellowstone Canyon to get the photo below from Artists Point so that Theresa would have a match to a quilting pattern she had picked up in town. Very easy hike (150 yarrds) and completely wheelchair accessible. Virtually everyone who goes here gets the same shot, but it is a beautiful one.
Normally, an after eruption is smaller than this and lasts only about twenty minutes, but this one continued for almost two hours. (We were told that's unheard of.) Word got out and the area was being swarmed with folks - mostly too late - as we were moving to the other basin.
The thermophilic bacteria-filled creeks here were chromatically impressive and we enjoyed them and the general view of Porcelain Basin.
As we drove off, we saw this guy from the road.
We continued off to Yellowstone Canyon to get the photo below from Artists Point so that Theresa would have a match to a quilting pattern she had picked up in town. Very easy hike (150 yarrds) and completely wheelchair accessible. Virtually everyone who goes here gets the same shot, but it is a beautiful one.
4 PM
Orienteering 40:47 [3] 1.1 mi (36:57 / mi) +31m 34:02 / mi
ahr:87 max:137
Tuesday Sep 24, 2019 #
10 AM
Walking/Hiking 1:05:00 [3] 1.6 mi (40:37 / mi) +260m 27:00 / mi
Lower Yellowstone Falls Trail
Down to the falls and then back up. Also drove along the northern rim and visited about four other lookouts. Great views, but no photos worth sharing...
Down to the falls and then back up. Also drove along the northern rim and visited about four other lookouts. Great views, but no photos worth sharing...
12 PM
Walking/Hiking 34:11 [1] 0.84 mi (40:41 / mi) +52m 34:06 / mi
ahr:75 max:138
Walking the boardwalks around the Volcanic Mud Pots area. Nice place. Particularly like Dragon's Mouth Spring.
On the way out, we saw a bunch of photographers and were able to see what they saw, too...
On the way out, we saw a bunch of photographers and were able to see what they saw, too...
3 PM
Walking/Hiking 25:25 [1] 0.76 mi (33:27 / mi)
ahr:79 max:103
Hike around the Fountain Paint Pots area. Heavy wind and fog made vistas hard to come by, but it was beautiful. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn off the tracking until we were several miles up the road in the car....
Monday Sep 23, 2019 #
10 AM
Walking/Hiking 44:45 [1] 1.71 mi (26:10 / mi) +64m 23:26 / mi
ahr:85 max:118
Geyser Day.
We had driven in to see the Great Prismatic Spring. We had the expected crowds, but hadn't planned on the cold weather causing so much fog that we could barely appreciate the pools. From the side, however, we did see a cluster of folks on an opposing hillside who seemed to have a great view. We went back to the car, drove down the highway and took a very leisurely hike back to the area where a side trail led to a great lookout.
We had driven in to see the Great Prismatic Spring. We had the expected crowds, but hadn't planned on the cold weather causing so much fog that we could barely appreciate the pools. From the side, however, we did see a cluster of folks on an opposing hillside who seemed to have a great view. We went back to the car, drove down the highway and took a very leisurely hike back to the area where a side trail led to a great lookout.
12 PM
Walking/Hiking 45:56 [1] 2.37 mi (19:23 / mi) +16m 18:59 / mi
ahr:68 max:131
We stopped at the Old Faithful Visitor Center hoping to get directions to a trailhead that would take us from there to Lone Star Geyser. We were (incorrectly) told that no such trail exists, but that if we hurried, we could take the main trail (from a parking lot three miles south) in and we might just make it in time to catch the next eruption. The trail was an old road along Firehole river and was quite easy walking. We saw an otter crossing in front of us and stopped out of respect even as we felt the clock ticking. We got to the geyser area and thought we were seeing the end of the eruption, but we went down anyway. There were six other folks there and they explained that that was just a false alarm. Twelve minutes later, it went off!
2 PM
Walking/Hiking 1:00:07 [1] 2.45 mi (24:32 / mi)
ahr:81 max:113
Walking back from Lone Star Geyser to the car...
4 PM
Walking/Hiking 1:03:47 [1] 1.57 mi (40:37 / mi)
ahr:85 max:118
Drove back and got to see Old Faithful erupt after a wait of only ten minutes. Then we went out on a hike through the Upper Geyser basin. Lots of cool, mostly dormant geysers, but it does feel like you are walking on the moon a bit. You have to stay on boardwalks because the ground is unstable, but this bison doesn't understand the rules. He had us 'trapped', but we were able to sneak by (inside the prescribed closeness radius) while he scratched and itch.
We continued on the boardwalk and were getting ready to head back when we saw a crowd about sixty meters away sitting/staring at a mound of earth. We inquired and found that Grand Geyser was to go off soon. Sure enough, ten minutes later it went off, giving quite a show.
On the day, we saw four geysers go off with a total wait of less than forty minutes. With that kind of luck, we should have been buying lottery tickets...
We continued on the boardwalk and were getting ready to head back when we saw a crowd about sixty meters away sitting/staring at a mound of earth. We inquired and found that Grand Geyser was to go off soon. Sure enough, ten minutes later it went off, giving quite a show.
On the day, we saw four geysers go off with a total wait of less than forty minutes. With that kind of luck, we should have been buying lottery tickets...
Sunday Sep 22, 2019 #
12 PM
Walking/Hiking 3:34:48 [1] 7.31 mi (29:23 / mi) +483m 24:23 / mi
ahr:102 max:142
It had been snowing when we got to Yellowstone and part of the "upper loop" was closed. Fortunately, the next morning it was open and we decided to hike Mount Washburn which we had been told was both a good hike and a source of great views. We started in a bit of snow, but found more as we climbed. Interestingly, the temperature climbed even as we did. It was still cold and "winter like" even as it didn't feel like winter.
There was rime ice and lots of cold fog as we climbed. We also saw bear tracks heading down the mountain. (That means the bear is behind us and going in the other direction, right?)
The top of the mountain used to feature a fire lookout, complete with indoor protection. The building is still there even though the functionality is now that of a cell phone tower. After a fogged in stay at the summit, we descended. Views got better on the way down.
...including our first views of Yellowstone Canyon.
We saw only ten folks on the way up, but several dozen were heading up as we headed down. They got better views, but we got a "winter hike" in at the very beginning of fall.
There was rime ice and lots of cold fog as we climbed. We also saw bear tracks heading down the mountain. (That means the bear is behind us and going in the other direction, right?)
The top of the mountain used to feature a fire lookout, complete with indoor protection. The building is still there even though the functionality is now that of a cell phone tower. After a fogged in stay at the summit, we descended. Views got better on the way down.
...including our first views of Yellowstone Canyon.
We saw only ten folks on the way up, but several dozen were heading up as we headed down. They got better views, but we got a "winter hike" in at the very beginning of fall.
Walking/Hiking 7:01 [1] 0.21 mi (33:25 / mi) +21m 25:28 / mi
ahr:88 max:98
Not the most efficient route back, but a beautiful one took us to Tower Falls, a very easy walk from the parking lot (although we had to park in "outer Mongolia")
Saturday Sep 21, 2019 #
1 PM
Walking/Hiking 2:04:12 [1] 2.51 mi (49:29 / mi) +108m 43:40 / mi
ahr:77 max:110
Yellowstone Park
As is often the case in Yellowstone, parking was at a premium. We were lucky enough to get a good spot at the visitor center and decided not to risk the "full parking lots" further up. So, we grabbed our picnic lunches and hiked up to Mammoth Hot Springs. Crowded boardwalks and lots of tough angles from which to view things, but we did get good views of the terraces.
We went all the way to the upper parking lot and worked our way back down, only to find that a group of elk felt that the green in town was the place for an afternoon siesta. (Apparently, this is a common occurrence. The females will come here, but the bulls won't. Draw your own conclusions.)
Afterwards, we drove the upper springs loop and stopped at Orange Spring. Not really a geyser, but it certainly sends its water out in spurts.
(Fifty meter "hike", not tracked or logged.)
As is often the case in Yellowstone, parking was at a premium. We were lucky enough to get a good spot at the visitor center and decided not to risk the "full parking lots" further up. So, we grabbed our picnic lunches and hiked up to Mammoth Hot Springs. Crowded boardwalks and lots of tough angles from which to view things, but we did get good views of the terraces.
We went all the way to the upper parking lot and worked our way back down, only to find that a group of elk felt that the green in town was the place for an afternoon siesta. (Apparently, this is a common occurrence. The females will come here, but the bulls won't. Draw your own conclusions.)
Afterwards, we drove the upper springs loop and stopped at Orange Spring. Not really a geyser, but it certainly sends its water out in spurts.
(Fifty meter "hike", not tracked or logged.)
Friday Sep 20, 2019 #
12 PM
Walking/Hiking 1:13:40 [1] 2.15 mi (34:16 / mi) +76m 30:52 / mi
ahr:86 max:127
Hiking in and around Rocky Point at the low end of McDonald Lake... Beautiful day, but we could tell the snow was coming in and it was time for us to head south...
(Forgot to turn my watch off until after I started driving out... oops)
By the time we were half an hour out of the park, it started snowing...
(Forgot to turn my watch off until after I started driving out... oops)
By the time we were half an hour out of the park, it started snowing...
Thursday Sep 19, 2019 #
9 AM
Walking/Hiking 7:32:20 [1] 11.65 mi (38:50 / mi) +939m 31:03 / mi
ahr:100 max:140
Having successfully survived the ranger-led hike to Avalanche Lake, we showed up for a similar one heading up to Grinnell Glacier. There were about a dozen people on this hike; we probably saw only three dozen folks all day as this is marked as a "strenuous" hike on all of the maps. We disagreed a bit with that assessment, but given the weather, the trail grade, and the distance, it's probably in the Park Services' best interest to keep that label.
We hiked past a few lower lakes and then began the climb to the glacier. As we climbed, we got many views of the glacial valley and of Grinnell Lake. The glacier calves into Upper Grinnell Lake which has a ribbon-like outflow that tumbles down to Grinnell Lake.
You can reach Grinnell Lake with very little elevation gain, but you don't get views like the one above. After even more ascent from the photoshoot location, we crested a rise and were treated with awesome views of the glaciers. (Grinnell Glacier and Salamander Glacier were one mass two decades ago, but climate change has melted the snow so that they are now two distinct floes; actually, there is some debate about whether Salamander will soon lose "glacier status" as it may not be moving and may also be shrinking too much.)
About three years ago, Grinnell Glacier lost about 20% of its volume in a single calving (which created local "havoc") but it's dropping smaller formations now. It's pretty rare to see fresh water icebergs, but we treated them like clouds and tried to name what we saw. Here's "Seahorse Iceberg".
As seems typical for this region at this time of year, the weather got better later in the day, but we couldn't stay to enjoy it as our beds were 120 miles from the parking lot over some roads that we would rather traverse in daylight. But, yet another great day for a hike...
We hiked past a few lower lakes and then began the climb to the glacier. As we climbed, we got many views of the glacial valley and of Grinnell Lake. The glacier calves into Upper Grinnell Lake which has a ribbon-like outflow that tumbles down to Grinnell Lake.
You can reach Grinnell Lake with very little elevation gain, but you don't get views like the one above. After even more ascent from the photoshoot location, we crested a rise and were treated with awesome views of the glaciers. (Grinnell Glacier and Salamander Glacier were one mass two decades ago, but climate change has melted the snow so that they are now two distinct floes; actually, there is some debate about whether Salamander will soon lose "glacier status" as it may not be moving and may also be shrinking too much.)
About three years ago, Grinnell Glacier lost about 20% of its volume in a single calving (which created local "havoc") but it's dropping smaller formations now. It's pretty rare to see fresh water icebergs, but we treated them like clouds and tried to name what we saw. Here's "Seahorse Iceberg".
As seems typical for this region at this time of year, the weather got better later in the day, but we couldn't stay to enjoy it as our beds were 120 miles from the parking lot over some roads that we would rather traverse in daylight. But, yet another great day for a hike...
Wednesday Sep 18, 2019 #
8 AM
Walking/Hiking 4:28:42 [1] 6.83 mi (39:20 / mi) +210m 35:54 / mi
ahr:83 max:113
Took the ranger-led hike to Avalanche Lake. Ranger-led hikes are much slower, but you get so much more info about the area. For instance, we learned that this root stock is thirteen years old; I can't imagine one lasting like this on the east coast.
Later on, we came across a swath of downed trees, all pointing uphill. It turns out that they all fell uphill due to the shock wave from an avalanche (on the other side of a steep canyon) in 2013. I was stunned by the formation, but also adjusting clothing and forgot to take a photo.
Avalanche Lake itself was beautiful and we did get to see the views as the clouds were just lifting when we got there.
This is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier, but there was still a good sense of isolation while we were there.
Later on, we came across a swath of downed trees, all pointing uphill. It turns out that they all fell uphill due to the shock wave from an avalanche (on the other side of a steep canyon) in 2013. I was stunned by the formation, but also adjusting clothing and forgot to take a photo.
Avalanche Lake itself was beautiful and we did get to see the views as the clouds were just lifting when we got there.
This is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier, but there was still a good sense of isolation while we were there.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019 #
1 PM
Walking/Hiking 1:35:45 [1] 2.32 mi (41:16 / mi) +69m 37:47 / mi
ahr:88 max:130
Johns Lake Loop Trail. We were hoping to get more variety, but they were repairing the bridge across McDonald Creek so we had to return without seeing the other side of the stream. Of the three choices - road, horse trail, or complete double-back, we chose the middle option.
3 PM
Walking/Hiking 48:13 [1] 2.01 mi (23:59 / mi) +20m 23:17 / mi
ahr:87 max:122
Trail of the Cedars
This is a short, very accessible trail that we recommend to anyone visiting the west side of Glacier. We've never seen such a variety of eco-zones in such a short walk. The only problem is that parking is limited late in the day.
The scale of the old growth forest is amazing.
This is a short, very accessible trail that we recommend to anyone visiting the west side of Glacier. We've never seen such a variety of eco-zones in such a short walk. The only problem is that parking is limited late in the day.
The scale of the old growth forest is amazing.
Monday Sep 16, 2019 #
2 PM
Walking/Hiking 3:36:58 [1] 5.68 mi (38:12 / mi) +462m 30:29 / mi
ahr:111 max:170
Started at Logan Pass and headed up Hidden Lakes Trail. The first half of this trail goes only to the Hidden Lakes Overlook and is largely boardwalk and stone steps. The treadway was nice and there were TONS of people. The (boardwalk supported) overlook was great, but it became immediately clear that 95% of the people turn around here. [Later confirmed by a ranger who said that about 2000 people visit the overlook in a day at this time of year, but less than 100 will descend to the lake.] As we started off to the lake, a gentleman coming from the other direction, said, "If you go another 200 feet up the trail, you'll see a mountain goat." Sure enough, he was right. A crowd of about a dozen watched as the goat nibbled, tried to climb a small tree, and generally tried to look cute.
After I took this photo, I turned around and saw a marmot running from some scrub pine. A moment later, a small black shape bounded after it, and a moment later, the marmot's new name was, "Lunch". While the goat was 3-4 meters away from me, this was more like 60 meters away, so there is a good bit of zoom here.
After all of the animal excitement, we hiked down to Hidden Lake. We were the only visitors the entire time we were there, but we did see some folks on the trail both ways.
Couldn't beat the day for hiking, though.
After I took this photo, I turned around and saw a marmot running from some scrub pine. A moment later, a small black shape bounded after it, and a moment later, the marmot's new name was, "Lunch". While the goat was 3-4 meters away from me, this was more like 60 meters away, so there is a good bit of zoom here.
After all of the animal excitement, we hiked down to Hidden Lake. We were the only visitors the entire time we were there, but we did see some folks on the trail both ways.
Couldn't beat the day for hiking, though.
Saturday Sep 14, 2019 #
3 PM
Walking/Hiking 1:58:00 [1] 2.9 mi (40:41 / mi)
Hiking around Devils Tower on Red Beds Trail.
We got many good views, but not surprisingly, the better views were from the trail that wasn't so close to the base of the tower...
We got many good views, but not surprisingly, the better views were from the trail that wasn't so close to the base of the tower...
6 PM
Walking/Hiking 55:30 [1] 1.56 mi (35:34 / mi) +73m 31:04 / mi
ahr:105 max:166
Walking around the (paved) Tower Trail at the base of Devils Tower. Very different than Red Beds Trail - many more people, much smoother path, and strikingly different perspectives.
Wednesday Sep 11, 2019 #
8 AM
Watercize 45:00 [1]
Had to swim fourth lengths to get the time up to snuff...
4 PM
Weights 25:00 [3]
Tuesday Sep 10, 2019 #
9 AM
Cardio (Bike (Video)) 32:38 [3]
Outlaw Rock
Was at first concerned about merely beating the season-low time, but then I noticed that my ghost was suddenly a full second behind me and this only seemed to grow. The legs felt good and at one point, the margin was 49 seconds. I pushed through to the end and beat the ghost by a full 38 seconds (2%)! Top 15% overall; top 10% age group. Third all-time (out of 1205) at the Y. P: 230; C:57. Best ride of the year.
Was at first concerned about merely beating the season-low time, but then I noticed that my ghost was suddenly a full second behind me and this only seemed to grow. The legs felt good and at one point, the margin was 49 seconds. I pushed through to the end and beat the ghost by a full 38 seconds (2%)! Top 15% overall; top 10% age group. Third all-time (out of 1205) at the Y. P: 230; C:57. Best ride of the year.
Cardio warm up/down (Bike (Video)) 10:00 [1]
Walking/Hiking warm up/down 16:00 [1] 1.0 mi (16:00 / mi)
Sunday Sep 8, 2019 #
9 AM
Cardio (Bike (Video)) 34:18 [3]
Camel Country
Legs felt a bit dead at the beginning, perhaps a bit tired from yesterday.
Top 20% overall and age group. Still second all-time at the Y (out of thirteen) but this ride would have been fourth. P:206; C:55.
Legs felt a bit dead at the beginning, perhaps a bit tired from yesterday.
Top 20% overall and age group. Still second all-time at the Y (out of thirteen) but this ride would have been fourth. P:206; C:55.
Cardio warm up/down (Bike (Video)) 10:00 [1]
Walking/Hiking warm up/down 18:00 1.2 mi (15:00 / mi)
Ran a bit at the end to test the knee/legs. Probably not the right way to test, but...
Saturday Sep 7, 2019 #
10 AM
Orienteering 2:09:53 [2] 4.15 mi (31:18 / mi) +166m 27:50 / mi
ahr:102 max:132
Waypoints are a bit off as I forgot to hit the watch at certain points, but otherwise, this was a nice map hike at Hunter's Creek with my friend Phil.
We hit 18, 19, 22, 1, 2, 3, and 1 again as we forgot to record it before he had to head back...
We hit 18, 19, 22, 1, 2, 3, and 1 again as we forgot to record it before he had to head back...
Orienteering 1:37:36 [2] 3.54 mi (27:34 / mi) +95m 25:27 / mi
ahr:108 max:141
Second (solo) map hike at Hunter's Creek
Started by going to #13 to pick up a credential that I forgot to record, then to #5 as it had been rehung. Spiked #14, but blew #15 when I stopped short and then went right through the area without seeing the marker. (I found it on my 'careful' return.) Spiked #8 and picked up #24 after a small bobble - the marker was MUCH closer to the trail that I anticipated. Grabbed #22 (missed the credential on the previous trip and was much shakier to #17 than the track would imply. All in all, a pretty good day...
Started by going to #13 to pick up a credential that I forgot to record, then to #5 as it had been rehung. Spiked #14, but blew #15 when I stopped short and then went right through the area without seeing the marker. (I found it on my 'careful' return.) Spiked #8 and picked up #24 after a small bobble - the marker was MUCH closer to the trail that I anticipated. Grabbed #22 (missed the credential on the previous trip and was much shakier to #17 than the track would imply. All in all, a pretty good day...
Friday Sep 6, 2019 #
8 AM
Watercize 45:00 [1]
Tuesday Sep 3, 2019 #
9 AM
Cardio (Bike (Video)) 33:55 [3]
Drifter's Peak
Was trying for the seasonal record - which felt out of reach at first, but there is a long downhill at the end of this ride... Got the seasonal record by 54 seconds which is slightly more than the amount by which I missed my PR. Top 20% overall; top 15% age group. Still second all-time at the Y (out of fifteen) but this ride would only have been good for fourth. P:219; C:58.
Was trying for the seasonal record - which felt out of reach at first, but there is a long downhill at the end of this ride... Got the seasonal record by 54 seconds which is slightly more than the amount by which I missed my PR. Top 20% overall; top 15% age group. Still second all-time at the Y (out of fifteen) but this ride would only have been good for fourth. P:219; C:58.
Cardio warm up/down (Bike (Video)) 10:00 [1]
Walking/Hiking warm up/down 16:00 [1] 1.0 mi (16:00 / mi)