I lean on my hiking poles, doubled over once again as I stretch out my hamstrings and gasp for air. I knew I was biting off more than I could chew today, attempting to hike two remote peaks in the Badger Peak - UT quadrangle. The plan had been simple, in my mind and on paper, park the truck near the old homestead, ride my quad up Third Canyon to the end of the trail. Then, hike along the path through the gully to the springs marked on the map and verify if the water is hot and is accessible for a swim on the return trip.
The spring had been a bust as the pond marked on the map was a small dry retention pond. However, I wasn't delusional in my wish, as hot springs are standard in the area with a geothermal power plant less than three miles away. I immediately climbed the ridge to my left and gazed at the stunning view of Twin Peaks, North.
A rocky climb up the eastern slope, Twin Peaks, North, is the smaller of the two peaks I have come to climb today and non-ranked due to a rise of less than 300'. I plan on making short work of the smaller peak on my return trip; however, as I look up at the incline before me now, doubled over on my poles, I realize the futility of that thought. I'm still trying to get back into hiking shape from my knee surgery this past March. March 28th, so closer to late spring than early. The months of atrophy leading up to the surgery have been difficult for me to return to muscle. However, I'm making progress, and I have continued pushing the lengths of my hikes from one week to the next. Unfortunately, today I went too far.
I lean on my hiking poles a dozen times before reaching my quad, knowing that if the engine doesn't start for some reason, I'll be in big trouble. Linda and Sean are out of town, and while I have text-enabled GPS getting ahold of someone local who could track me down and give me a lift home would take hours—hiking back to my truck, while not impossible, would be difficult given my weak condition.
I cheer as the engine starts and begin driving the long but fun trail along Third Canyon's ravine. The ravine is full of small pebble sand with twists and turns to allow the quad to fishtail at will. I enjoyed the trip up the canyon, but now I'm exhausted, and holding on feels like work.
I load the quad and begin the drive home. Rain splatters the windshield as the storm that has been growing behind me begins to let its presence be known. I hardly notice. The endorphins have numbed everything, and my only thoughts are pizza, shower, and bed. It would probably be vital that I perform them in the proper order.
I text Linda in the early evening to tell her I'm home. She asks how the hike went, and I smile, eating pizza and watching Netflix. Excellent honey, just great. I'm going to bed early; I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow. Love you.
Full tummy, showered, and the clock reading about 9:45 pm, I climb between the sheets. Of course, everything hurts; however, pain is temporary, and chicks dig scars or whatever the saying is from the movie The Replacements; endorphins must still be active, I think as I quickly fall asleep.
Written October 4, 2022