I'd picked up some suspenders since the last hike and I'd used them a couple of times on walkabouts, but I'd yet to try them on a proper ascent. I can report that they did solve a lot of my stride issues that I'd experienced on the Big Slide attempt. I was able to step across and, more importanly, up ascents with much greater ease.
The wind was blowing off Edgecomb Pond, but it lightened up once we started hiking into the woods.
A clear furrow was worn into the snow by previous hikers, so the trail was super easy to follow. Also, DEC had been through recently, adding new markers and blazes through the entire hike. Presumably, there had been some vandalism which is unfortunate.
Unfortunately, someone had come through without snowshoes making lots of post-holes along the entire trail. I slid into them a few times. I suspect it was the same person who scattered beer cans and dog faeces throughout the trail. I did my best to clear things up and collect the trash which Sunny carried out.
The photogenic shot of the hike.
To be fair, he's always photogenic.
Sunny followed the trail and instructions very well. There was one moment when we came to a water crossing that he stopped, laid his ears back, and growled. I suspect an animal's scent was on the air, but we never saw anyone.
We made it to the summit in about an hour and 45 minutes which was way better than our pace up First Brother.
The views were very pretty. There was a bit of wind on the summit, but I didn't really need the puffy I brought with me in my pack. There was more poop on the summit and I did my best to fling it off with Sunny's shovel.
Pretty boy had a great birthday. I did bring my scissors, but I forgot to cut his toe fluff before we set off and I did have to twist off some ice balls from his feet during the descent.
I had to let him loose during the primary descent as usual, and he had a blast plowing and leaping through the snow. He caught the scent of something a few times, but always returned.
Leaves had been trapped in the trail, giving the sense of bredcrumbs laid by some friendly fairies.
This time I got the idea to bring along an old bathroom rug so I could switch footwear without getting my socks wet. I'll be keeping this in the car henceforth because I am not really built for dealing with that kind of nonsense while sitting in the car seat or the tailgate.
It seems like AllTrails is either improving its measurements or service was a bit better here, because the distance it tracked was pretty bang on with the maps. I was very pleased with our improved pace through the snow this time around; 1.5mph versus 1mph previously.
I do want to try improving our stamina, so I may take Sunny out to Moreau for an 8 mile loop in before my big vacation to Chicago later this month.
Afternoon hike at Cat Mountain via Red Trail.gpx (234.85 KB)