Today we completed a Nordic Walk that we started last week.
Last Sunday, my husband and I set out to walk the Shanahan Ridge Trail Loop, but as I reported, we turned back when we reached a drop into a steep icy section. With five days of warm weather between then and now -- and a particularly balmy day today -- we returned to do the entire loop. This time, we brought our YakTrax (and used them) and (special note to eagle-eyed Ed Urbanski) I brought the correct type of poles (top).
This time we walked in a clockwise direction. The route starts as wide, level service road to a water tower before narrowing down to a trail that undulates through the Ponderosas with occasional dips and rises. Most of it was bone-dry, but we still encountered ice and slush on the trail and passed patches of snow on north-facing hillsides (bottom).
After the Shanahan South Trail joined the Mesa Trail,
we reached the steep, icy drop into one valley that deterred us last week. On went the YakTrax, so we negotiated the descent and the slightly less slick ascent without incident. Soon, we were at last week's turn-around spot.
The two most unusual things we saw today were two butterflies sitting on a patch of slush, and a seasonal pond that had been frozen solid a week ago but now was melting. Three or four dogs were frolicking in a part of the pond that had melted completely, not caring that they were playing in ice water, while three shirtless (though not shoeless) horsed around on the slush-covered but still-frozen part. Yes, it was that warm.
Today we walked just a bit less 4 miles with an elevation gain of 780 feet, plus additional ups and downs.
After the Shanahan South Trail joined the Mesa Trail,
we reached the steep, icy drop into one valley that deterred us last week. On went the YakTrax, so we negotiated the descent and the slightly less slick ascent without incident. Soon, we were at last week's turn-around spot.The two most unusual things we saw today were two butterflies sitting on a patch of slush, and a seasonal pond that had been frozen solid a week ago but now was melting. Three or four dogs were frolicking in a part of the pond that had melted completely, not caring that they were playing in ice water, while three shirtless (though not shoeless) horsed around on the slush-covered but still-frozen part. Yes, it was that warm.
Today we walked just a bit less 4 miles with an elevation gain of 780 feet, plus additional ups and downs.
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