Backpack Training: Week 4 - Patterns & Eagles
We were bad and missed one of our five mile hikes during week 4 of our training. However, we did carry 20 pounds for both of the hikes we did make this week. Life happens, but we will be back on the bandwagon next week.
The five mile hike was a local hike from our house, up to Stratford Lakes via Metzger Farm and Big Dry Creek Trail. We were trying to add a little more elevation change. In addition to the normal wildlife of geese and prairie dogs, we saw a red-tailed hawk and and a coyote. However, what we found the most interesting that day were the patterns along the edge of the pond at Metzger Farm. It looked like the ice had cracked in interesting patterns and then a layer of slush formed on top which really made the patterns more pronounced.
We also tried out our new Yaktrax Diamond Grip All-Surface Traction Cleats for Walking on Ice and Snow (paid link). We wanted to find something that kept us from slipping and injuring ourselves during our winter hikes when snowshoes were not appropriate. We initially thought that we wanted microspikes, but the helpful staff at REI recommended these Yaktrax as being more versatile, since they can be left on over hard surfaces without slipping like microspikes. We really didn’t need them for this hike as most of the trail was dry, but there were patches of snow and ice. Right Buddy had slushy snow ball up under her foot a couple of times, but we’re not sure if that was due to the Yaktrax or the cord of her gaiters that goes under her heels. We’ll keep our eye on that and report back to you as we get more experience with them.
The ten mile hike this week was on Marshall Mesa in Superior. We started at Coalton Trailhead and followed Meadowlark Trail and Mayhoffer Singletree Trail for about five miles before turning back the way we came. The first half of the hike was into very gusty wind. We should not have been surprised since we were very exposed on the mesa and not very far from the National Wind Technology Center. There’s a reason they test windmills there. The trail had a lot of patches of mud, snow and ice where the Yaktrax might have been an advantage, but we did not bother putting them on. The wind was not as annoying after we turned around and started heading back, partly because the wind was then at our backs and partly because it started to die down.
An immature bald eagle seemed to be enjoying the wind. Yes, we saw yet another bald eagle! He flew right over our heads and looked down at us to check us out. Right Buddy frantically pulled out her camera and managed to snap a few decent pictures. According to "National Geographic Complete Birds of North America" (2006), bald eagles don't get their adult plumage until their fifth year. We're guessing that this is a fourth year juvenile since its beak is yellow but there is a dark band at the end of the tail. We didn’t see a lot of other wildlife, but the panoramic views all the way up and down the front range of mountains were fantastic.
(RB)