January 30, 2011.

10.4 mi | 3200’ ele. gain | 3.75 hrs.

It was a dark and stormy…day. I drove out towards the coast with the sole intention of getting some exercise today. My choice: Saddle Mountain.

I started up the trail at 8:40 am. It was gloomy, but not actively raining. As I approached the summit and broke out into open territory, I could feel the low clouds hanging the air all aroun me. In an hour and three minutes, I reached the summit. Visibility was zero percent.

I retreated cautiously, not sure if the wire mesh holding the trail in place was helpful or not today. It was very slippery. I was back at my car at 10:30. The whole day was still ahead of me. So…

I started up the trail again. Exercise, curses! Trudge, trudge, trudge. All the way to the top. It took me an hour minus three minutes to get there, so I improved my time by six minutes. Maybe I just wanted to get this over with.

Not a peace sign. An actual “2.”

Visibility again was zero. I raced back down. Done by 12:17 pm.

It was an efficient, albeit more functional than enjoyable day. Fresh air, check. Leg conditioning, check. Nature time, check. Hopefully the weather will play nice on my next hike.