As the year comes to a close, it's a good time to post a collection of all the bike rides I completed in 2009. I rode 750 miles on seventeen rides, which is down from 1,300 miles on thirty rides in 2008. Within these fewer rides, I did manage to achieve a few far-flung milestones, namely Exton Square, Maryland, and Trenton.
Full Screen Version
The ride to Maryland was the longest at just over 100 miles, my only century of the year. I have to add a few extra miles in Fairmount Park to reach that threshold. The ride to Trenton was my last major ride of the year. I didn't so much seek out that city itself, but wanted to ride along the Jersey side of the Delaware River until I reached the first available bridge beyond Philadelphia to cross back into Pennsylvania. My last ride of the year was a short out-and-back through Fairmount Park on Halloween (not shown on the map as is completely overlaps over rides). There is one other ride not on the map, a nine mile ride through the Great Dismal Swamp near Norfolk, Virginia, my only non-local ride of the year.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Amphitheater Lake Trail
I finished my Yellowstone trip and my 2009 travels with a fantastic hike in Grand Teton National Park, north of Jackson, Wyoming. Purple Mountain and Mount Washburn Trails were warm-ups for this eleven-mile climb up the foothills of the Teton Range to a splendid alpine lake right near the treeline.
Notwithstanding a late arrival at my hotel the previous night, I started early in the morning, picking-up breakfast and some sports drinks while driving the Lupine Meadows trailhead. I intended to drive straight there, but couldn't resist stopping for several views of the mountains especially one at Cottonwood Creek Turnout with the golden aspens in the foreground, which I actually backtracked to snap a picture.
Despite the stops, I reached the trailhead in time to start the hike around 9:00 AM. After only a few hundred flat yards, the trail began it's relentless 3,000 ft climb up the mountainside. To the right, I could catch only a few glimpses of the imposing mountains through breaks in the forest. After about a half mile running south—parallel to the face of the mountain—the trail bent right and started running along a 'toe' of the foothills, a ridge with dropoffs on either side. I tried to catch a peek of the mountains ahead, but the trees and hills limited commanded the view.
Full Screen Version
Two miles in to the hike, I reached the first trail junction. Beyond this point, the serious climbing started. Several switchbacks angled up the steep face of the hill alternating between open and forested hillside. After mile-plus of this scenery, I reached a second trail junction and sat down for a couple minutes to rest. Again, beyond this junction, the landscape changed. The climb remained steep, but white, moss-covered boulders gradually took over. The air also smelled of a pleasant pine forest as the lodgepoles gave way to more gnarly conifers.
I took more frequent breaks as I trudged up the last few miles of trail. At 11:49 AM, I reached Surprise Lake (elev. 9,540 ft.) just a short distance downhill from the end of the trail at Amphitheater Lake. Leaving the trail, I walked along the shore of the lake to find its outlet. Here, the views of Garnet Canyon and Jackson Hole encouraged me to stop, rest and snack for a spell, which I did even though I couldn't find a comfortable boulder—out of the hundreds piled about—to sit.
At 12:15 PM, I left Surprise Lake and completed the last ten minutes of the trail to Amphitheater Lake (elev. 9,698). True to its name, the lake resides in a natural amphitheater with Disappointment Peak rising in the back, and Jackson Hole opening out in front. Very scenic to be sure, but I wanted to see the majestic Teton Peaks from up close, or at least as close as a bumbler like me is apt to get so I continued passed the end of the official trail.
My extra efforts were amply rewarded. A rough trail disappeared halfway up a ridge to the north of the lake. Scrambling of the rocky terrain, I reached a precipice overlooking Glacier Gulch. I had gone as far as I could prudently go, but straight ahead was Mount Owen. I mistook this the second tallest peak for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain the range—only after returning and sorting through pictures did a realize the error. No matter, the view was truly grand and a satisfying conclusion to the hike.
Well, I did still have to hike down the mountain, but that was a breeze compared to the ascent. On the climb, I had been so preoccupied the route and mountains ahead that I didn't consider the vast valley stretching out behind me. On the down hike, most evident in the breaks in the forest halfway down, Jackson Hole filled my field of vision. Making good time, I reached the car at 3:20 PM and promptly began the drive back to Salt Lake City.
Trip Statistics
Length: 11.4 miles
Time: 6 hours 18 minutes
Elev. Change: 3,327 ft.
Max Elev.: 10,048 ft.
This is a very, very rough approximation of the route Amphitheater Lake Trail takes up the face of the Grand Tetons. The arrow points to the approximate location of Amphitheater Lake and partially covers Grand Teton. Mount Owen is the peak immediately
Elevation Profile
Notwithstanding a late arrival at my hotel the previous night, I started early in the morning, picking-up breakfast and some sports drinks while driving the Lupine Meadows trailhead. I intended to drive straight there, but couldn't resist stopping for several views of the mountains especially one at Cottonwood Creek Turnout with the golden aspens in the foreground, which I actually backtracked to snap a picture.
Despite the stops, I reached the trailhead in time to start the hike around 9:00 AM. After only a few hundred flat yards, the trail began it's relentless 3,000 ft climb up the mountainside. To the right, I could catch only a few glimpses of the imposing mountains through breaks in the forest. After about a half mile running south—parallel to the face of the mountain—the trail bent right and started running along a 'toe' of the foothills, a ridge with dropoffs on either side. I tried to catch a peek of the mountains ahead, but the trees and hills limited commanded the view.
Full Screen Version
Two miles in to the hike, I reached the first trail junction. Beyond this point, the serious climbing started. Several switchbacks angled up the steep face of the hill alternating between open and forested hillside. After mile-plus of this scenery, I reached a second trail junction and sat down for a couple minutes to rest. Again, beyond this junction, the landscape changed. The climb remained steep, but white, moss-covered boulders gradually took over. The air also smelled of a pleasant pine forest as the lodgepoles gave way to more gnarly conifers.
I took more frequent breaks as I trudged up the last few miles of trail. At 11:49 AM, I reached Surprise Lake (elev. 9,540 ft.) just a short distance downhill from the end of the trail at Amphitheater Lake. Leaving the trail, I walked along the shore of the lake to find its outlet. Here, the views of Garnet Canyon and Jackson Hole encouraged me to stop, rest and snack for a spell, which I did even though I couldn't find a comfortable boulder—out of the hundreds piled about—to sit.
At 12:15 PM, I left Surprise Lake and completed the last ten minutes of the trail to Amphitheater Lake (elev. 9,698). True to its name, the lake resides in a natural amphitheater with Disappointment Peak rising in the back, and Jackson Hole opening out in front. Very scenic to be sure, but I wanted to see the majestic Teton Peaks from up close, or at least as close as a bumbler like me is apt to get so I continued passed the end of the official trail.
My extra efforts were amply rewarded. A rough trail disappeared halfway up a ridge to the north of the lake. Scrambling of the rocky terrain, I reached a precipice overlooking Glacier Gulch. I had gone as far as I could prudently go, but straight ahead was Mount Owen. I mistook this the second tallest peak for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain the range—only after returning and sorting through pictures did a realize the error. No matter, the view was truly grand and a satisfying conclusion to the hike.
Well, I did still have to hike down the mountain, but that was a breeze compared to the ascent. On the climb, I had been so preoccupied the route and mountains ahead that I didn't consider the vast valley stretching out behind me. On the down hike, most evident in the breaks in the forest halfway down, Jackson Hole filled my field of vision. Making good time, I reached the car at 3:20 PM and promptly began the drive back to Salt Lake City.
Trip Statistics
Length: 11.4 miles
Time: 6 hours 18 minutes
Elev. Change: 3,327 ft.
Max Elev.: 10,048 ft.
This is a very, very rough approximation of the route Amphitheater Lake Trail takes up the face of the Grand Tetons. The arrow points to the approximate location of Amphitheater Lake and partially covers Grand Teton. Mount Owen is the peak immediately Elevation Profile
Monday, December 28, 2009
Detour
Risk assessment is a big part of life. Sometimes, we assess the risks, determine the logical course, and elect to act in opposition to that acuity. This story is one such episode. I knew the risks, took a chance, and it it didn't pan out. I submit it for your potential amusement.
On this, my second, trip to Yellowstone, I had two 'must-see' places to visit, Mount Washburn and Artist Paint Pots, both on the north side of the park. Having entered into the southern half of the park, two factors conspired to complicate my efforts: road construction and a forest fire. A loop road connects the two halves of the park. Road construction closed the western leg of this loop for the season; a forest fire intermittently closed the eastern leg.
I managed to depart early in the morning on my second day in the park, hike Mount Washburn and return to the critical junction to find the road still open. There, I considered taking satisfaction in a partial success and returning to the southern part of the park. This option would bypass Artist Paint Pots, but it would also leave me closer to Jackson, Wyoming, and my bunkhouse for the night. I opted for against it and spent the afternoon exploring Artist Paint Pots and nearby Norris Geyser Basin.
Hours later upon leaving Norris Geyser Basin, I spotted a ranger set-up in the road ahead, and had a pretty good idea the news she would deliver: the road to Jackson was closed. So instead of a 127 mile, three-hour drive, I had a 324 mile seven-and-a-half hour drive, an extra 200 miles and four-and-a-half hours, ahead of me.
Full Screen Version
Two months later, I recognize my losses were minor: a few hours (most of it in the dark when you can't do much else but sleep), added driving fatigue, and some gas money. In return, I achieved my two 'must sees' for the trip, spent a wonderful few hours in Norris Geyser Basin, drove through Montana's picturesque Paradise Valley in the waning hours of the day, and stopped along the road to hear the some nighttime geyser eruptions and elk bugle calls. All that considered, maybe it wasn't such a bad risk to take. Not that I wouldn't decide differently if I had it to do over again.
On this, my second, trip to Yellowstone, I had two 'must-see' places to visit, Mount Washburn and Artist Paint Pots, both on the north side of the park. Having entered into the southern half of the park, two factors conspired to complicate my efforts: road construction and a forest fire. A loop road connects the two halves of the park. Road construction closed the western leg of this loop for the season; a forest fire intermittently closed the eastern leg.
I managed to depart early in the morning on my second day in the park, hike Mount Washburn and return to the critical junction to find the road still open. There, I considered taking satisfaction in a partial success and returning to the southern part of the park. This option would bypass Artist Paint Pots, but it would also leave me closer to Jackson, Wyoming, and my bunkhouse for the night. I opted for against it and spent the afternoon exploring Artist Paint Pots and nearby Norris Geyser Basin.
Hours later upon leaving Norris Geyser Basin, I spotted a ranger set-up in the road ahead, and had a pretty good idea the news she would deliver: the road to Jackson was closed. So instead of a 127 mile, three-hour drive, I had a 324 mile seven-and-a-half hour drive, an extra 200 miles and four-and-a-half hours, ahead of me.
Full Screen Version
Two months later, I recognize my losses were minor: a few hours (most of it in the dark when you can't do much else but sleep), added driving fatigue, and some gas money. In return, I achieved my two 'must sees' for the trip, spent a wonderful few hours in Norris Geyser Basin, drove through Montana's picturesque Paradise Valley in the waning hours of the day, and stopped along the road to hear the some nighttime geyser eruptions and elk bugle calls. All that considered, maybe it wasn't such a bad risk to take. Not that I wouldn't decide differently if I had it to do over again.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Philadelphia City Hall
Earlier in December, I took a day off to do a little exploring in town. I've lived in Philadelphia for six years and hadn't yet toured city hall. It's located a prominent square in the center of two just two blocks north of where I work, and just a few more blocks away from my apartment building. Tours run two hours and are only available on weekdays so there is no convenient time outside of work to visit.
Full Screen Version
Our tour group consisted of three people: the guide, a gentleman from Boston, and myself. We started with about 40 minutes on the outside of the building. The guide pointed out a few sculptures and reliefs, I'd walked by numerous times but never appreciated. He showed the special door where the paddy wagon would deposit prisoners for their court date in courtrooms up above. A bystander appeared interested as we stood over a tiled abstractions of William Penn's plan for the city, but an alternate agenda, angrily chastising the guide for not mentioning that William Penn owned slaves.
The building has over 700+ rooms. We visited a few of the major ones including the Mayor's Meeting Room, now used for Press Conferences; the council caucus room, where they conducted business when they didn't want the pesky citizens listening in; and Main Council Chamber. We also went to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber. Reportedly, Pennsylvania has the only remaining traveling Supreme Court in the nation. The rotate between Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. This is where they meet when they're in town. The tour ended with a trip to the top of the 550' tower, a ride I've taken a few times before, but not in a few years, for great views over the city.
Full Screen Version
Our tour group consisted of three people: the guide, a gentleman from Boston, and myself. We started with about 40 minutes on the outside of the building. The guide pointed out a few sculptures and reliefs, I'd walked by numerous times but never appreciated. He showed the special door where the paddy wagon would deposit prisoners for their court date in courtrooms up above. A bystander appeared interested as we stood over a tiled abstractions of William Penn's plan for the city, but an alternate agenda, angrily chastising the guide for not mentioning that William Penn owned slaves.
The building has over 700+ rooms. We visited a few of the major ones including the Mayor's Meeting Room, now used for Press Conferences; the council caucus room, where they conducted business when they didn't want the pesky citizens listening in; and Main Council Chamber. We also went to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chamber. Reportedly, Pennsylvania has the only remaining traveling Supreme Court in the nation. The rotate between Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. This is where they meet when they're in town. The tour ended with a trip to the top of the 550' tower, a ride I've taken a few times before, but not in a few years, for great views over the city.
Council Chamber
Ben Franklin Parkway from City Hall Tower
South Broad Street. I work in the third tall building on the right.
Northern Liberties (A neighborhood in Philadelphia) and Beyond.
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