Daylight saving time started three weeks ago and with it came our Thursday night hikes. I missed the first couple of trips so I could do my duty as a dad, but all three of these early season hikes were pretty much warm ups for the rest of the season.
The best warm up hikes are ones that push your condition just enough, but also have enough mellow to let you recover. This trip was tailor made for warming up. There's a quick climb and then a flat section. There's another steep climb before the slope lessens. One last hard climb and then you're at the top. It's only a mile and a half from the trailhead to the summit.
A hike like this allows you to push hard if you want to with breaks to recover. Or you can take it easy and still get down before it's too late. Either way, it sets a great foundation for the harder hikes that will come later in the year. The ones that you really want to enjoy.
The best way to be ready for the big hikes later in the season is to start small and get out as much as you can. Fit them in after work and in the early mornings. Make sure you bring your headlamp and get going.
