June 12, 2021 - A walk in the park, Day 2

We aren't in a huge rush to get going this morning. We did 15km in five hours yesterday, and that included some of the biggest climbs and descents. We figure we have the same amount of ground to cover today, and should be able to complete it in about the same amount of time. By 9am we are all full of caffeine and oatmeal, bags packed and ready to start our biggest climb of the day right off the bat.

Unlike the switchbacks of yesterdays last climb, this one follows the side of the hill for the most part with switchbacks at the top. Its not quite as steep, but much longer, or at least it feels that way. Just when we think we have gotten to the top, it begins to go up again. It takes over thirty minutes to make our way to some semi flat trails along the crest of this mountain.

Most of the trail yesterday was inland, but todays trail darts in and out frequently to the cliffs. There are several lookoffs along this section offering spectacular views of the ocean below and the cliff faces we will be approaching as we travel.

One thing I forgot about this section of trail from last time is how many muddy spots are on the trail. It is never a lot all at once, maybe twenty feet at a time, but each one requires precision foot placement to ensure a dry passage. For the most part, we are all successful at navigating these hazards... for the most part. By the end of the day, we would all have made at least one misstep which would result in a wet foot.

By 1pm we have reached Little Bauld Rock, the first section of trail that takes you out into a wide open cliff face with a panoramic view. This looks like a good spot for a break, and by this time, we all need it. We are on hour four of our expected five hour hike today, however after consulting the map, it is clear we are not making the same time we did on the first section. We are just over half way now, and our joints are starting to feel the strain.

Yesterdays voyage did contain the largest climbs and falls of the whole trip, of that there is no doubt, however it also contained some long gentle, relatively flat sections too. We made really good time on those flat sections. Todays trail seems to be none stop up and down. While the elevation changes are not great, they are not small either. In one kilometer of trail I expect we climb and fall about the same amount ten or twenty meters at a time. It is constant and unrelenting. Some climbs are gradual, and others are like going up a ladder.

A little after 2pm we reach Big Bauld Rock. This is probably my favorite section of the trail. It comes out onto a rock cropping that feels like another world. The trail crosses the barren land in complete contrast with the twisted spruce and pine forests we just came from. The trail only follows this section for a few minutes, but it is a wonderful time while we are here.

Heading back into the thicket we are all eager to reach our campsite. The next two hours or so are spent urging our bodies to go just a little farther, until finally seven and a half hours after starting our five hour journey this morning, we arrive at our destination, Keyhole Brook.

There is not much energy at camp tonight. Melanie and I string up our hammocks while Zabrina pitches her tent. We are forced to hang a little bit off the site as there are not really any good places for the hammocks. Tomorrow should be an easier day with a few less kilometers to travel to night three at Eatonville.