Sunday, Stephanie and I set out for a 17 mile jaunt on Dog & Augsperger Mountains in the Gorge. The plan was to go up the "less steep" side of Dog Mountain (2400' of climbing in 2.8 miles). After 2.8 miles we'd hook up with the out and back 10-mile Augsperger Mountain Trail then finish our run with a climb up to Dog Mountain and back down the "steep side". Plans changed when we hit the Augsperger trail and quickly had a "dude, where's my trail" moment. It was some serious bushwhacking. We tried to ascend down the trail a bit and it seemed to just get worse. How long would this go on? 5 miles? 400 more feet? It was likely most of the trail so we opted out and turned around. We made our way up to Dog Mountain with vistas and trails each more beautiful than the previous. It was one of those rare runs where things just keep getting better. We were treated with an amazing wildflower rainbow covering the hillsides, views of Mt. Hood & Mt. St. Helens, panoramic vistas of the Columbia River Gorge, and trails practically cut into the cliff-side at places as we traversed meadows and ridges. No wonder this was a popular hike/run!
After our summit of Dog Mountain, I put my camera away and we made our way down the "Steep side". Steep indeed! A brutal climb I'm sure with 20% grades. Hello Horsethief & Joplin! It was one of those descents where you constantly had to hold back and couldn't just let loose and sail. If you did, you would likely loose your footing on the loose, dry dirt and rocks, or be unable to stop and collide into a tree or one of the many hikers making their ascent. It was quad pounding, knee aching and toe hurting - and it was awesome. As we "enjoyed" our descent and said hello to the many eager hikers I was thinking - "how am I going to get my 17 miles in today?" At the end of it all we turned out about 8 miles (with 3200' gain) with our side treks. I had to run 9 more and planned to take that in once I got home. When I did get home I was mapping out routes and decided that I needed to go to Sephora for a few things so why not run there? I'm not sure when I became the kind of person who says "I need eyeliner. Oh it's 9 miles round trip and 85 degrees outside? Why not run there?"
The 9 mile road trip was a blast and running in the heat was refreshing (yes I love a good sweat and heat). Very different from the gorgeous scenery of earlier in the day but I still enjoyed every step, soaked up the sun - and got in my 17 miles to end up with 100 for the month of May - my first 100 mile month in about a year. June is shaping up to be many more before I taper in July for Tahoe.
Here is a pictorial journey of the Dog Mountain Run because words can't do it justice (neither can these pictures, really).
Going up (.01 miles into the run)
Dude where's my Trail? Machete Required.
Heading up the "less steep" side
GORGEous Trail Running
Wildflowers
Mt. Hood
Mt. St. Helens
Going down from the summit
Looking back up toward the summit
Happy Running & Dirty Feet,
Jessica
Wow! I am awed by those pictures! Great run!
Posted by: tom | 01 June 2009 at 07:46 PM