I’ve been looking forward to this hike since starting the blog. Chris and I signed up for the GREAT fundraiser Loon Echo puts on each year and got out our walking shoes; even though it was a busy day, Zoe got to come too. This time, the route traversed all the way across Pleasant’s 3-mile ridge-line, a route I’ve only done in its entirety once or twice and that was brand new to Chris and Zoe.
Loon Echo is a great, local land trust organization that has done a lot of important work conserving and maintaining Pleasant Mountain in the last decade. Personally, I’m incredibly thankful for their advocacy and proud to give back. Joining their annual trek– either a hike or a variety of bike rides– was a fun way to be involved. I was also so proud to call myself a Wyo girl yesterday; Wyonegonic superstars Chris and Ceidleigh provided van rides to hike starting points, allowing a great traverse hike without spotting our own vehicles.
The day itself was a nice one to ring out summer. It began cool and misty as we ascended Southwest Ridge trail. Since we began in a van-sized cluster of people, Chris and I were forced to speed along at the beginning to match Zoe’s must-be-in-front pace. By the top of the first headwall, we settled into a groove, and we were able to let Zoe off-leash most of the way. Southwest Ridge is probably my favorite trail up the mountain, so I’m glad Chris has made his first trip up this way now, even though there was nary a view to be seen.
When we reached the teepee just off the SW summit (55 minutes), it was great to see volunteers at the first checkpoint and a bunch of families enjoying their first snack break. Chris, Zoe, and I only paused for a photo before beginning across the ridge-line and toward the main summit. We reached the fire tower and the second checkpoint in about 90 minutes (cumulative), and this time graciously accepted some delicious snacks from the volunteers (who were insistent that they carry nothing back down the mountain).
Zoe was nervous about the rock tunnel
The second half of Pleasant’s ridgeline leads across to Bald Peak and then on to the ski area, and as we did this stretch, the weather got steadily nicer. It was sunny and beautiful by the time we reached the Bald Peak Trail cut-off, and we enjoyed some early fall foliage and glimpses down to good old Moose Pond. Finally, we popped out at the top of the ski slopes, collected a delicious whoopie pie from volunteers to share, and zipped down Jack Sprat and the Main Slope to the finish line and a yummy chicken barbecue. Total hiking time: 3 hours. What a great hike, and a great event from Loon Echo!
greenvibrations 