And his attempts to find variety in his walks, avoid Terreeeblay the treadmill, keep his doctor happy and himself alive and vibrant!
"The Blog Almost Too Boring To Be The Most Boring Blog in America ... for Over 5 Years!"
until it got too many red cards from Wounded Duck and the Boredom Enforcement Committee ... now the tortoise's goal is to get to 10 red cards so he can get Big Dog to drive down and take a good long walk with the tortoise
P. S. This blog listens to its readers. We have the Benjamin Category Override for 5+ mile walks and now, it humbles Tortoise to say he has been named "Lou", by Doug Jr, in memory of Mr. Consistency himself, Lou Gehrig. Tortoise can hardly type the words to think he is in any way comparable to the noble Iron Horse. Thank you!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
13-331
Walked 5.43 miles on the Hurricane Rim Trail from the Virgin Dam Trailhead to the Hurricane Hill Trailhead. Overall there is almost no elevation change, and if you look at the topographic map the trail looks deceivingly flat, but in between there are 3 HumanaFit category 5 climbs. One is 0.74 miles with a 2.2% grade, followed by one of 0.48 miles at a 2.8% grade, and ending with 0.46 miles at 3.0% grade. Total climbing over the full walk was 348 feet, which earns this path an overall Tortoise Rating of 5.3.
The reward for all of the up and down motion is some terrific views of what you would have to call the Upper Virgin River Gorge, along with views of the tops of mountains in Zion above closer ridges to the trail, the dramatic John Gubler view of La Verkin, and numerous panoramic views of the Hurricane Valley.
Please click below to continue reading. You'll get a map, pictures set to 31 seconds of music, an aerial video view, and several other pictures, not to mention the ever boring details of calories consumed and burned.
My excited drivers getting ready to return home in my muddy Impala turned Jeep
OK - Let's get started!
The Canal Trail splits from the Rim Trail in less than 0.2 miles from the
Virgin Dam Trailhead
View headed east with 5 miles to go (0.6 from today's starting point)
View headed west at milepost 5
Southwest view at milepost 4, after walking 1.6 miles
East view at milepost 4
Two views looking at the Virgin River canyon gorge after walking 1.8 miles
East view after walking 2.0 miles
West view at 2.0 miles
View ahead at milepost 3, after walking 2.6 miles
First view of Chinatown Wash
Coming up on the Chinatown Wash trail junction just past the halfway point
At the junction. Chinatown Wash Trail goes straight ahead.
I'm going to the right. The Rim Trail continues right across the Wash
Looking back after walking 3.0 miles total is this fun view of the top of
West Temple in Zion National Park peaking over the ridgeline
The views looking forward at 3.0 miles walked are nice too.
View forward at milepost 2 (3.6 miles walked)
And looking back from 2
Starting to get views of Hurricane ahead
Looking down at the Virgin River approaching the LaVerkin Bridge
The Canal Trail rejoins the Rim Trail at 3.8 miles walked, 1.8 to go
John Gubler Observation Point with a gorgeous view of La Verkin
as evening approaches. About 4.2 miles walked, 1.4 to go
Note: I walked 5.6 miles, the descriptions here all refer to that. The map shows 5.43 miles, which is what I had walked with just a short distance to go and my cell phone battery died, ending the recording of this walk.
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