Originally, I was planning to run a 5k this morning, but a couple of days ago, I saw a posting that the Arabia Mountain Rangers were hosting a Championship Hike themed after the NFL's Superbowl, which takes place tomorrow. As I'm training for some very big hikes later this year, the appeal of hiking 20 miles instead of running just over 3 seems obvious.
I arrived at the designated meeting area, Wilburn Farm, to something a bit unexpected. In the field near where I parked my car, there were a number of middle-aged and some elderly people in a standing in a circle and sharing their memories of a man named Tyrone. As I would later learn, Tyrone had been a ranger at Arabia Mountain for many years and had been an inspiration to many of these individuals to start their interest in hiking. He passed away in December and the other rangers had organized this celebration of life just before the planned hike. I felt a little out of place, as I did not know the man, but from all of the stories, he seemed like a wonderful human being.
From there, we made our way across several granite slicks, which this entire area is known for. We had to be a little cautious as the morning dew makes this granite somewhat treacherous to walk on, but we made it without incident. After about a mile, we walked across the dam forming Arabia Lake and then north to another retired farmhouse now owned by the National Heritage Area. At this point, the rangers switched and the original organizer, an enthusiastic young man, took over the lead spot and we made our way first further north and then east across a large open field, finally hitting the paved paths alongside Klondike Road.
I had mentioned our slow pacing and the impossibility of hitting the 20-mile goal by the designated 4:00 pm end time. He was patient and suggested that we would move faster now that we're on the pavement. I wasn't trying to be a pain about it, but as I had changed my plans specifically to do what was advertised, I wanted to do my best to reach the goal.
We followed the path all the way to the Nature Center, where we took a short break and allowed hikers to use the restroom and refill their water. Though it was only supposed to be a five minute break, it turned into more like fifteen minutes, again adding to my frustration. Soon though were were once again moving and now headed the wooded northern end of Arabia Mountain itself. We kept a pretty good pace through the woods and soon ended up on the granite outcropping, where we had to be cautious with our steps so as not to crush the sprouting diamorpha smallii, an endangered small red plant that this area is known for.
Walking up to the shallow summit of the short mountain, we paused for a few minutes to take in the view, before heading further east to circle around Mountain Lake. Leaving the granite on our way to the lake, we encountered an abandoned community in the woods, with the foundations and chimneys of at least two long-forgotten homes remaining. There is also a well dug near one of the houses, which the rangers have covered with branches in an attempt to keep anyone from falling in. Though little is know about who and when these houses were built and occupied, it is assumed that this area was once cleared and that quarry workers and their families resided here back in the late 1800's. I do enjoy coming across things like this.
After circling the lake, we climbed up somewhat steep eastern slope to the top of Bradley Mountain, which is the highest point of the trip. Again, we took far too long four our break and I began to have substantial doubt that we would be able to finish the hike. Though the views were beautiful and I always enjoy the barren granite desert that is this area, I was ready to move. We pushed on and crossed back over the road and made our way towards Wilburn Farm, the starting area. The rangers plan was to crisscross the Heritage Area through a series of loops, returning to the area we parked every five or so miles. This would give those unable or uninterested in continuing a chance to depart.
Though, I really wanted to continue and finish the entire twenty miles it was already almost 3:00 pm and we had only hiked 11 miles. As I have other plans this evening and need to get cleaned up beforehand, I explained my situation to the ranger and thanked him for organizing. He suggested that he had misjudged a few things and that next year he may organize this as two sperate events, a challenging hike that holds to the pace and a more leisurely hike. I thought that was a great plan and with that too my leave.
