Iron Mountain via Heaton Flats Trail(11/26/21, 6:38:21AM)
Solo hiking today. Hike date: 11/26/2021
Trail: Started from Heaton Flats trailhead at 6:38 am. Finished at 5:10 pm, just as the sun was going down. Trail in excellent condition, despite the Yuca that did it its best to poke me here & there, especially on the way down, when I was too tired to fight it.
Weather: it was 43 F at start of hike. Got into 60’s but darn it felt hotter on this beast of a hike. Crystal clear skies with sun shining beautifully. Almost no wind.
Water Source: none! Please keep in mind wether, length of the hike. You will need plenty of fluids. I had 5 L & run out of it 2 miles to the parking lot. Also...I could have used a lot more. It felt hot! The steepness drys one soul..
Wildlife Sightings: lizards, birds & fresh bear poop...actually several of them. Almost wanted to turn around, fearing a tete a tete😜
Parking Lot: there were 6-7 cars when I got there. I assumed, wrongly, that these must have been hikers who woke up early & started way before me. I was wrong! Not even one hiker on the trail! But..,about a little after two miles, as I was trying to get a photo of the huge bear poop... someone was just behind me, I got startelled...And it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. A blessing to me.
We introduced ourselves & met this amazing soul, Jason. I let him passed me, I knew he was fast & by the time we reached Allison Saddled he took off, like a mountain goat.
We met again about 300 ft to the summit. He was descending & I was still working my way to the summit.
Honestly, I wanted to turn around & the only think that kept me going, was knowing that there was another hiker ahead of me. So at the point that our paths crossed again...I felt that the only safest way for me to summit & return safely down was to know that someone was around knowing that I was up on the mountain...in case I had an injury or accident...so I did the unthinkable & asked Jason to wait for me at the saddle. About 3 miles down the mountain.
And...he agreed & even offered me one of his trekking poles, to help me finish my summit goal easier. I had only one with me. The the other one broke.
The last 300 feet to the summit was a super hard stretch. I was tired & mentally exhauseted. Hiking solo, it is very challenging. I always have this thing of a false sense of security when I hike with my dog...I wished Lark was with me. I made it to the summit, took photos, wrote on the register, thanked god for another blessed day & proceeded to descend. My goal was 2 miles per hour. It is steep & one has to be careful. I used microspikes from Allyson Saddle up & all way down.
Jason was waiting for me in the shade. You have no idea how thankful I was. What a blessing! The right person & at the right time. He is 1 year younger than my son Alex.
He let me lead the way down at my pace. I know he could have finished a lot faster than me. He could have left at that point, knowing that I was already done with the summit & past the steep beastly portion of the hike. But he didn't...and for that I am for ever greatful. So, we slowly continued the descent. It seemed so much longer than when we went up. I was tired & didn't care to rush anymore. We talked & talked some more.
We were back at the car at 5:10 pm. Safe but super sore feet & toes. Took our end of the hike photo, exchange contacts & went our way.
Learning Points:
1) Please do not hike this hike alone. It can be a challenge physically & mentally.
2) Bring plenty of fluids & I advise you to stash them along the way. I’ve done it before. Maybe label the bottle with you name & date just in case you don’t need it, someone could use it.
3) Pre hydrate starting the day before.
4) Eat carbs! Day before & during hike
5) Trekking poles a must!
6) Microspikes very helpful
7) Headlamp - is a long hike! Depending on the month that you do it, you will hike in the dark at same point.
8) If you see a solo hiker, ask them if they need help. Keep an eye on them. Sometimes people feel embarresed to ask for help. Do the humane thing..be a good soul & spread positivity.
9) Have a GPS. I use Gaia.
10) Reaching the summit is optional, returning to your car is mandatory.
11) Leave trail better than you found it.