Mountain TUESDAY- Vernal & Nevada Falls

Mountain Monday, but on a TUESDAY?!? I know...I know...what am I thinking?! But I knew you were waiting in suspense for what I would choose for my Mountain Monday topic and even though I've been crazy busy, I couldn't leave you hanging! So today is a DOUBLE POST! That's right, two for the price of one day. So make sure to check back tonight to get some great tips for how to get out the door for your run when its freezing out. 

I wanted to share with you about my hike to Vernal & Nevada Falls that we did in Fall 2016 in Yosemite National Park. First off, everything about this national park is absolutely stunning and this hike did NOT disappoint. It was definitely a bummer that they do not allow pets on this trail (but most of the park is really very dog-friendly), so make sure to keep that in mind as you're planning your hike. It is also a part of  both the PCT and John Muir Trail, which I think is really amazing! It is 5.4 miles round-trip to the top of Nevada Falls and while we didn't get to see it when the water was rushing, there was still a small stream coming down. 

I know I've said it before, but I love to repeat myself so...if you haven't visited Yosemite you MUST do it! It is so stunning and magical there. Anytime I am feeling stressed, I just imagine myself inside the park and a total *zen* moment comes to me. 

The hike itself is definitely a bit strenuous and it can get really busy, as it is the gateway to hiking to the top of Half Dome, so I'd recommend getting up extra early to do it. There are also a few slightly steep stairway sections so if you are afraid of heights or hanging onto ropes, then this might not be the best hike for you. The views from both the top and bottom of the waterfalls are absolutely stunning tough!!

Ever been to Yosemite? Ever done this hike?

Favorite National Park?

Mountain Monday-Mt.Washington via Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

Happy Monday! Does anyone else feel like this weekend went by way too quickly? We spent Saturday at the Nutcracker (it was amazing and the little candy canes were our favorite..) and then later decorated a gingerbread house and watched The Santa Clause : ) I hope your weekend was just as great! 

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite photos of my hike up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to the top of Mt. Washington in the White Mountains in NH. This article by Outside Magazine is a great introduction to the mountain if you've never heard of it before or just like to read about those things...

The hike along this route is less busy than the typical Tuckermans Ravine trail, however it is a bit steeper and longer. It is a total of 9 miles roundtrip and takes you by the Lake of The Clouds Hut (my favorite hut and so beautiful/historic inside).

The weather atop Mt. Washington and above tree line is extremely unpredictable. It can also get extremely dangerous when the sun starts to set and you have not begun your decent down or made camp at a hut for a night. I got to the top of Mt. Washington around 2pm and decided that the weather was starting to look unpredictable and took the Cog Railway down!

One-way tickets for the Cog are definitely not cheap (around $50), so make sure you budget wisely if you plan on taking it as part of your hike. There is nothing more rewarding (I think) than taking a train down and being able to see all that you just hiked up. When you arrive back at the train station, it is around a 0.5 mile hike on the roadway back to the parking lot (if you hiked from the trailhead).

If the weather is good and you're feeling up to tackling a challenging (and long) hike, then this is definitely one I would recommend. 

Favorite hike in the White Mountains?

Ever ridden the Cog Railway or hiked Mt. Washington?

Anyone race this weekend?!? Hope it went great!!

Mountain Monday- Sarvis Creek

Happy Happy Monday my friends! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. We finally got our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and went out to eat for Chinese food! I also did a 10 mile run around the lake on Sunday (with wind gusts over 20 mph!), which went ok- definitely a bit run-down and sluggish from the chinese food the night before ; )

This trail is one of our favorites because it is less than a 10 minute drive from our house to the trailhead! It's located in Sarvis Creek Wilderness and we normally hike out for roughly 1.5 miles until we hit a fantastic little creek that pools and some spots are deep enough for you to swim in!

You can definitely also use it as a great trail run (I haven't YET). The trail continues on for about 5 miles (one way, I believe) and it's also a great backpacking option (we've always wanted to camp along the creek). 

Ever hiked in the Sarvis Creek Wilderness?

Favorite thing you did this weekend?

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree- Yay or Nay?

Mountain Monday- Mt. Willard Crawford Notch State Park

Sharing one of my absolute favorite hikes up on the blog today! Mt. Willard is a 3.2 mile hike located in Crawford Notch State Park in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and gains 977 feet. It's a great introductory hike with fantastic views and is pretty heavily used.

You begin this hike by parking at the Crawford Notch Railroad Station and cross the tracks and stay left to follow Mount Willard Trail.

You also cross by Centennial Pool, which offers great photos and a nice cool-off spot if you're hiking this in the summer. I've done this hike a few times and this past summer we brought Stella and she did great this entire hike. It was still a little early in the season (late June), so it was muddy.

At the end of the trail, you come to a fantastic viewpoint of the open ledges and all of the surrounding peaks of Crawford Notch. This is definitely a great hike to do if you're in the White Mountains for just a few days, but want to also feel like you've hiked a "mountain". 

Have you ever hiked in the White Mountains of NH? Favorite trail?

Have a favorite hike? Where is it?!

I hope you had a fantastic long weekend- I was sick most of the weekend, but we had our hands full with our newly adopted kittens! I got out for a few easy-paced runs and began my Runners' World Run Streak for 40 days until New Years Day. Sharing more info on this on Wednesday!

Mountain Monday- Rabbit Ears Peak

Rabbit Ears Peak is a must-do hike in Routt National Forest (20 minutes outside of Steamboat Springs, CO). It gains ~1,046 feet over 2.7 miles to the top and can get really busy come summertime! It also has some of the best wildflowers on any of the hiking trails in Routt County. I'd recommend doing this hike in either mid-July or August and start early (to beat the crowds) or later in the afternoon, if it isn't too hot out. It's also a pretty decent hike, so maybe not the best 'first of the season' hike. I'd recommend on planning to do this hike over 4 hours, leaving 2 hours to go out and maybe an hour and a half to get back (30 minutes up at the top). The last hike to the ears (made of volcanic rock), is really steep so don't get discouraged and know that there is loose gravel, so not the best for older/ unfit/ young children (directly before the final ascent there is a great viewpoint and I'd recommend stopping there if you're struggling). The views up at the top are incredible! This could also be a great trail running option (challenging).