Snow Stomping: Part 2

Man, what a hike.  Duke and I hiked on-trail and off-trail from Thomas Springs at 5800 ft. to the Wasatch ridgeline at 8750 ft., then to the spot where I stopped the truck around yesterday at 7750 ft.  Then hiked back.  All told, we covered 10.8 miles, including some backtracking to pick up Duke’s pack after I left it hanging on a tree.  The terrain was rugged, unforgiving, and gorgeous.  Could see for miles.  Weather cold.  Snowstomping.  Great fun.

Man and dog are well.  The outside of my right knee started hurting on the descent, but I don’t think it’s serious.  Duke had no problems at all, with his paw or otherwise.  He spent much of the day running through the snow, sniffing deer trails.  I gave him jerky for lunch, though, which has upset his stomach.  He's thrown up a couple times tonight, but I gave him some nausea medicine and think he'll be okay.

Now I’m showered up and fed, tired and sore, and it’s too late for focused writing.  I’ll describe the trip in tomorrow’s entry.

 

Duke and I back at the truck.  Picking Duke up after each hike, I think, will be our tradition.

 

 My route in Google Earth, looking south.  I started hiking from the right.  That durn ridge is every bit as steep as it looks.

  

The Top.