Self Doubts...

are running rampant in my head, but I still forced myself to do a hike that was a close simulation of the incline of the mountain without snow. :)

I hate I had to feel  like I forced myself but I did.  But I did it anyway.  I was glad I was doing it even though I was feeling uncertain along the way, but felt great once I was done.

I was in the Detroit, Oregon area this weekend, where it is beautful country.  I had done part of this hike three years ago, the last time I was there.  When I did it this time, I found out that previously we had not gone as far as we thought we had nor did we have the incline that we thought we were doing.  I did it this time and whoa! 

The first part of the hike (Spotted Owl Trail) is extremely easy with some slopes and some footbridges to cross over waterways so plenty of scenery right there on the lower elevation of around 2,200 feet above sea level.  The trail then split into two, a continuation of Spotted Owl and the Cliff Trail.  The Spotted Owl was more of a gradual climb to another connection of trails, where the Cliff Trail was more direct and had a steep part leading me in the direction I was trying to go (plus it was the trail we had done before), so of course that is the direction I opted. :)  This was a good climb and much easier to do this time, even though I have put some weight back on I still am smaller than the last time there, and my pack was about 35-40lb instead of the 5-10 three years ago. :)  I was struggling at first but it didn't take long to get my rhythm again.  That I was surprised about honestly.

I made it pretty comfortably to the Cliff overview, but I didn't go there because I wanted to make it to the Devil's Lookout off the Devil's Ridge Trail and ultimately to the Devil's Peak. (6.6 miles roundtrip and 4,625 elevation at the top) 

The weather was intermittent at best, some sun breaks, some sprinkling of rain, along with some winds, but I was prepared so I troded along, trekking poles helping me keep my pace and of course steadying me on those steps that were as tall as my legs are long. :)

There wasn't a soul on the trail anywhere, any how.  Not coming back, not going out, nothing...it was all mine.

As I started the more obvious 25% grade incline, I felt it in my legs a bit but the pack didn't even seem like it was there.  A nice change up from a bit earlier in the hike...my tummy wasn't happy so it was making hiking uncomfy too.  I did stop to take off my rainjacket since it appeared that the sun breaks were becoming more frequent and drink some water, but as I progressed I was wrong about the weather, fortunately, I was working hard enough that I was pretty comfortable without it on as long as I was moving.  So, I kept moving. :) 

The trail was amazing in its climb up the hill or whatever you want to call it, but you could see it wasn't as well traveled as the lower trail so it did become more work not only because of the incline but it wasn't as "packed" down or as wide a trail.  Devil's Ridge Trail is a good name for it because when I hit the Devil's Lookout area it was literally a ridge the trail was on a very narrow area on top of the hill.  It wasn't like I had one foot on each side of the ridge but it was narrow enough I could see down both sides of it enough. :) 

I just kept going, because I was so close...as I ascended further up the trail the weather was continually changing since now I was approaching the level of some of the clouds that were coming in.  The hills that were across the valley had snow on them, I was lucky I didn't have to trek through snow, but it was gorgeous to see it straight across on the other hills.  Obviously, this meant it was getting cooler the higher I was going, since the sun was not really out at that point. 

As I was at the Lookout heading to the Peak I started feeling something pelting me.  It wasn't hail, but it was was sleat/snow, all I could do was chuckle at the point and starting watching the weather even moreso now, but again, I kept going.

It was the most spectacular spot the top.  Whether I was actually at the Devil's Peak or within in .1 mile of it, it didn't matter because I was absolutely at the top of the hill (I think the Peak was down and a ledge area that overlooked the valley)...I wanted to be at the top of the hill and I was. :)

I took a series of panoramic photographs, which I will share once they are downloaded, but I was pleased to be at the top.  I put my jacket back on obviously and I ate my protein bar to make sure I had the energy to get back down....remember a 25% grade is just as dangerous if not more so going down. :)

The weather was starting to pick up and I paid attention.  I finished my bar, had my jacket and gloves on, put the pack back on, grabbed my poles and headed out.  Of course going down is a quicker pace than climbing but I still had to watch my step.

The winds even got to mess with me a bit.  As I was moving along, I suddenly heard what sounded like a deep low growl.  I froze and listened.  A second, softer but low growl came again.  I very slowly turned in the direction I heard this...oddly it was down hill.  I watched and listened barely breathing, another growl...but this time the growl was when two trees were slightly moving, my eyes traveled upwards to see the trees were sort of wrapping around each other, the wind blew again...the trees growled against each other as the wind blew.  I swallowed my heart and started down the trail again, of course, taking one complete look around to make sure there were only trees and me. :)

The rest of the hike was pretty uneventful other than enjoying the view in reverse, and making sure of every downward step.  My legs were starting to feel the hike in how tired they were becoming but not so tired I had to stop.  It was a wonderful hike and a good push for me.

I still have some personal self doubts but I think my head is just in a weird place right now and I have to find a way to get it back on track. :)

I did conquer that mountain, now to still working on conquering my head.  I couldn't be more pleased about the hike...I did it. :)