31 mile hike

I'm back from my 2-day solo adventure on the Knobstone Trail, Indiana's longest (link:  http://www.in.gov/dnr/outdoor/4224.htm).  I've read somewhere that hiking the trail in its entirety results in approximately 20,000 feet of elevation change between gains and losses, making it the best thing around for an endurance training.  Whoever mapped it out didn't understand the concept of a switchback.  If there's a ravine, you'll go straight down it, cross it, and then go straight up the other side...using 'steps' that at times are a good upper-knee height.

I hit the trail at 7:50 AM on a hot Memorial Day weekend.  Elk Creek Lake was nice in the morning sunshine, but I knew it was going to be a hot couple of days.  I drank a full liter of water on the car trip down.  My plan was to do about 18-20 miles the first day and the rest of the 31 mile trek the next day.  At mile ~9 and 11 AM I hit the south split of the upper 12-mile loop, and it was lunchtime.  Stopped for some jerky and assessed my water situation, I went east.

At 2:15PM (16.5 mi) I came upon Delaney Park Trailhead, where there's camping and running water.  It was a sight for sore eyes, as my supply was dwindling.  Took some time there to wash up and drink a full liter of water. Back on the trail at 3PM.  At this point I was feeling pretty good and thinking about where to call home for the night.  After a handful of hills, there was a pleasant couple of miles of flat terrain.  I motored  back to the south loop split (21 mi) and assessed.  My knee and ankle ached a little, but not enough to stop.  There weren't any good campsites where I was, so I slowed my pace down to conserve energy.  After another 3 miles, I was spent and found a nice place to call home for the night.  After 24 miles, I was in bed and asleep before dark.

Rise and shine at 6:30.  Wanted to get an early start and finish before the heat of the day arrived.  7 miles to go.  I was pretty sore, so I again didn't try to see how fast I could go, seeing if I could average 25 minute miles so I could be done before 11 AM.  Wasn't hungry but forced myself to eat, I knew I needed the fuel. Broke camp and headed out around 7:45AM.  Found a nice little creek to refill my water supply for the final push.  Good thing I did, or I might have had to resort to the jugs I saw at the trailhead where started!  Was in the truck and headed back home by 11.  Ready for a shower and a nap!

On the jug: Water.  25 cents a swallow.  Leave mony here.  Next water jug 10 miles <--   12 miles  -->

And no, not a typo for mony.  Funny enough I didn't see any quarters lying around.