Great hike today! One that lets your quads and calves scream. Well, Mine didn't

[JackOfAllTrades]

Trail head starts at 1,800'.  Ridge top is 5,600'. Beautiful up there. Trail sucked though. One water source half way up. Water if you use a filter at the lakes beyond the ridgetop. I glassed a bunch.. No critters, but I didn't stay past 5pm.

So green on the west side. Late snow melt. Late fly hatch. Berries are few and far between and won't ripen for another 2-3 weeks if at all. Wildflowers are in full bloom though.

(cell phone photos)

 -Steve

[firefighter4607]

Did I read that right? Cell Phone Pictures!!!! What type of cell phone do you have?

Great pictures!!!

[bobcat]

Very nice pictures, especially for a cell phone. You went up almost 4000 feet? 
 
I sure don't think I could do that in a day hike!

[JackOfAllTrades]

Envy-3. is the phone. I set the resolution to 1280x960 for this series using the white balance set to sunny. I was hoping for a bit more clarity for the last photo.

-Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

Very nice pictures, especially for a cell phone. You went up almost 4000 feet? 
 
I sure don't think I could do that in a day hike!

I almost dropped the 700' to canyon lake for more water! I did the round trip on 40 ounces.  -was a little parched by the time I got back to the truck. 80-85 degrees all day. But the breezes in shady areas were welcome moments at the top of the ridge.

Round trip was 10 miles.

-Steve

[bobcat]

You're obviously in WAY better shape than me. My hunting this year is going to be spent sitting in a tree stand. 
 
I've got the same phone but never tried it for scenery shots like that. I have been impressed with the pictures I have taken though. Don't really need to carry a camera now, most of the time. Unless I feel the need for the zoom.

[Kola16]

You definitely wanna bring a lot of water on hot days. I have trained myself to go without water through hiking trips, sports events that I was in etc.  I never am thirsty anymore, but I have passed out like 3 or 4 times from being dehydrated 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I'm about 8-9% body fat. I don't hold much water, but am pushing myself to go farther without getting to the 'pass out' point. Knowing my environment and where water sources are, while taking the minimal amount to get there comfortably is what I'm working on.

-Legs and back feel great. I feel like I could do that hike again tomorrow.   Sure wish I'd have seen an early bruin 'even at distance.

-Steve

[demontang]

Dang I just had my body fat check and was told im 20-24% I dont know where I could hide 40lbs of fat on me, Im 6' 183.
 I hunt in areas like that Ill go from 1300-4500+ in a matter of a few miles, I generaly use 3 liters in a day just walking but I drink a lot when I get out, I just try not to push to hard and sweat a lot.

[JackOfAllTrades]

There's a big difference between cramping muscles and dehydration. I had a calf tighten up on the way down, which is funny because on that route the quads take a beating. Staying hydrated just enough to keep any muscles from cramping is my goal.   I hoofed it down for the workout, passing four groups of hikers that were well ahead of me and just caught glimps of the horse trailer leaving the parking lot. She (solo rider), had a 20 minute head start on me.

-Steve

[Wea300mag]

Nice cell pics Steve, looks like some great country.

[JackOfAllTrades]

(Wea300mag) I might be down in the hills in your neck of the woods soon...I hear the Noisy Diobsud calling my name. I don't think I'm going to be able to get time off work for the high hunt so I'll spend the weekends closer to home.

-Steve

[dscubame]

Reminds me of Colonel Bob.  Nice hike.

[7.62Warbird]

Good ol Excelsior. Crazy how green it still is this late in the year. Good hike.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Good ol Excelsior. Crazy how green it still is this late in the year. Good hike.

I looked through some trip reports on WTA.org...  As best as I can tell, there was still a couple feet of snow up top just three weeks ago. It is amaizing how much has melted in the heat we've had for the last couple of weeks. I couldn't make it up Church Mt in mid July.

-Steve