The Book said this was an easy Trail. Ya right!

This is an easy trail?

Now you tell me, does this look like an easy trail to you?  Who is this easy for, a trained climber with lots of experience?  Yes, I am sure it is but for this mature lady, my 3 year old grand daughter and the puppy I think not.  The kids were fine with it.  But getting the dog and my grand daughter safely up and down this mountain was a chore all in itself.

We headed out for a leisurely walk knowing that I am recovering from all that blood loss.  We checked the book : 'The Best Fort Collins Hikes'.  The trail we picked is called 'Black Powder Trail'.  I know why it is called that.  The ground is covered in black, loose sand or powdery dirt.  It is slippery and the trail is narrow with steep sides.  A roll down the mountain at certain points would probably mean the end, at the very least one would be all tore up.

The book describes the trail this way (of course my daughter picked the trail and I only read the info when I returned home):

"The expression 'all over the board' springs to mind as efforts are made to assess the difficulty of the Black Powder Trail.  The consensus of a CMC focus group was 'easy' because it is a short distance and 'moderate' because of the elevation gaining switchbacks.  The city's website lists the trail as 'moderate to difficult''.  So, if you've been looking for an 'easy-moderate-difficult' hike, you've arrived.  Lace up you tennies and start chugging along."

The view as I walked or puffed up was beautiful

 

 

 

 

The switchbacks were narrow and stoney.  We all had to keep our wits about ourselves.  It isn't real long, about 1.5 miles up but it was steep.  Being my first hike in Colorado I was a huffin and a puffin.  Definately a good work out.  I am very glad I did it.

After quite a long haul and lots of stops I saw the top - yea

I stepped up over the top, or so I thought and look there is more.

Just when I thought I was done I discovered their was a lot more to do, albeit not as difficult.  If you look close the kids are off in the distance.  I turned around and got this great shot.

Looking back from about half way up the mountain.  What a view.

I headed across the fruited plains (isn't that the words to a song?) and finally climbed the last part of the hill.
We all made it safe and sound, but there was still the trip back down.

The family 

 

Here is a shot of the view at the top on the back side of the mountain:

I have a bit of a height thing and this picture was difficult for me to get as my body was stiffening up and my fear factor was live and screaming.  I can feel it now just looking at the picture.  Whoooo is me, a mountain climber I will never be.  But hills are just fine, as long as I stay away from the edge.  I must have been a sacrifice in a past life.

Refreshments came next - my granddaughter Ceanna age 3

Then the eventual trip back down.  We had some discussion about getting Ceanna and the dog back down safely as the trail is steep, slippery and narrow with cliff like sides.  Over you go and you won't stop for a long way.  We set up a safe way to flow down and off we went, teaching Ceanna about going down slippery hills.  It was a long trip to the bottom but here we are.

Safe and sound at the bottom and Ceanna is all tired out.

We all headed for the river to cool our feet.  I had my first experience of walking down a very steep hill.  My toes kept trying to come right through my shoes.  I kept splaying them to keep them from hurting so much.  Luckily I wore my toe socks and this helped to keep blisters at bay.

AWWWW  Mema this is great come on in.

Nothing like a cold river to revitalize the feet after a tough climb.  I think I will pick the trail next time.

All in all it was a good day and a good work out.  Even with all the things going on I have lost another 5 lbs since I have been here.  I have been out walking around town and in the neighborhood trying to get back all the strength I had before the blood letting.  This week end we are going to bike the Poudre River.  It is a 9 mile long trail, one way, so 18 miles for this Saturday.  I will put the chariot behind my bike.  Ceanna will ride her trike until she gets tired and then she can get into the chariot.  Mom, Dad and Mema will ride along.

One last thing.  I do want to be honest here.  It has been tough and I have lots of aches and pains but it is all worth it.  After, I always feel better and I love the new body I am creating.  We went to a movie this week and I loved how comfortable it was to sit there.  I also love how loose my clothes are getting and the size changes.  So even though it is difficult it is worth it.

Buen Camino
b