July 8th 2016

I spent three days back in DC, so I was excited to go on another hike. I decided to explore one of the other trails to Ben Lomond. The Ben Lomond trail is reviewed as a really easy going trail and after my last hike that sounded about the right speed. With the trailhead in the North Fork Park I needed to drive to the other side of the mountains. I got there at about 5:30, and to my dismay the gate was closed! Now what? From a previous ward campout I knew a little about the area and how to look up the maps. I decided to try the other entrances and test my luck. Fortunately the next gate was open, but now I didn't know how to get to the trailhead. I drove for a bit and decided to switch gears and go for the Cutler Flats trail. This trail is rated as too strenuous for most people to bother with- sounds perfect. With an unmarked trailhead and new signs that say Ben Lomond Trial instead of Cutler Flats it took me until after 6:00 to get on the trail. So I run through the checklist: Knee brace, check. Carb Breakfast, check. Ibuprofen, check. Bathroom, check. Now to just pace myself. Although frustrated by the late start I am able to keep myself in check, partly because I did not have other pressing plans for the day. The trail is fairly overgrown, with many large fields of wildflowers and butterflies; an enjoyable hike in a no nonsense type of way. With the steep conditions I push myself to about 3 mph and don't feel the need to push beyond that. As I get higher I am enticed with great views of Willard Peak. That is a mountain that I would purposely take the difficult, rocky route because it is so much more intriguing than the simple ridges. Just shy of the main ridge to Ben Lomond is a spring, pond, and trees for a hammock. I think I'll have to come back with the boys for an overnighter and push to finally summit Ben Lomond. On the way down I actually run the steep grades, and it felt good. Bested 5 mph. The disease must be contagious.

Willard Peak

The gentler side of Ben Lomond