Oh, the pain…

Well, this hike to Mt. Wilson was just tough. It didn’t help matters that I was very dehydrated and started cramping in my calves and quads with about 2 miles to go to the summit. I usually prepare the night before a big hike by drinking plenty of electrolytes, but was preoccupied and completely forgot… and I paid the consequences. Luckily, there were plenty of great people on the trail to keep me motivated and moving.
I got to the parking lot around 6:30am and took what appeared to me to be the last parking space. I finally hit the trail a little before 7am. Temperatures were in the lower 40s and it felt great. Starting out the trail conditions were a little muddy from all the rain we’ve been getting, but got better as the hike when on. I took in the waterfall, the creek, and all the surroundings. How can I make my house smell like the moss? I love that smell. I brought a jacket, but quickly found out that my sweatshirt was going to be plenty of warmth. The first few miles were pretty easy, but once you start climbing, it’s a pretty steady and pretty steep climb until the top. I did not expect that. Cramping and huffing from being out of shape, I took frequent breaks and made it to the top, where a little bit of snow was waiting for me.
After a quick cup of coffee and a bar at the top, I took off back down the trail to try to make up some of the time I lost on the way up. Despite drinking a lot of water on the way up, I decided not to fill up. Another rookie mistake. I assumed that because of all the water on the way up that there would be plenty of places to fill up on the way down. I was wrong. There are signs saying that the trail is closed due to a rock slide. Once past the rock slide and the bench that everyone was talking about, it was a lonely, kind of boring hike down until the last few miles when I started bumping into people again. Did I mention, I failed to fill up water at the top? I ran out with about 2 miles to go and was really in need of some by the end.
All in all, I really enjoyed this hike and learned plenty of lessons that I will take with me for the next one.