2S2G* - Susans' Boot Camp (25K or 15.5 miles) - Day 9, Sat., June 21

*2S2G = Two Susans to Go

Today was an adventure, a challenge, and an accomplishment. I call it "Susans' Boot Camp," meaning that our boots and selves got quite a workout today. We did 25K (15.5 miles) in six hours (including 20 minutes for lunch, photo stops, "oohing" and "aahing" stops, and slowing down to walk very carefully along narrow cliff ledges with steel cables to hold on to. Keep reading. You'll get the picture shortly.

From our parking space, it was a 1/2 mile hike just to the Eagle Creek Trailhead. Today's walk took us way up into the Eagle Creek watershed. Awesome and amazing come to mind.

The Volksmarch description called it "the premiere hike in the Columbia River Gorge." They also warned people not to go on it if they were afraid of heights. Susan and I are both afraid of heights, but we decided to go.

In the 30 years we lived in Oregon, I had only hiked a couple of miles on Eagle Creek, just a little past Punchbowl Falls and have always wanted to see Tunnel Falls. The extra waterfall, Crossover Falls, we saw at the turn-around point was spectacular. Today was the day to push past former boundaries and perceived limitations. Susan joined right in on the fun adventure.

One good thing I have to say about this trail: it is never too steep. We followed a gradual grade up and up and up until we were hundreds of feet above the river. Heck, we were up as high as the tops of huge Douglas fir trees, looking straight down cliffs!

Here is your armchair guided tour. Come along with us on this amazing hike. (Pssst. I forgot my camera, so all photos were taken with my smartphone. They're not as high resolution as usual.)

Our trail sign at the start.

Punchbowl Falls

Wildflowers

Many wildflowers enhanced our hiking experience on this trail. Mid-June is a good time to walk here.

Metlako Falls

Did I emphasize strongly enough that you should not be afraid of heights to take on this trail?

Cliffside trail

You better have some rockin' hiking boots!

Susan M. on the rocky cliff trail.

High Bridge

Tunnel Falls

At Tunnel Falls, you pass through a blasted tunnel to get from one side of the falls to the other. Very unique. I've never seen anything like it.

The tunnel behind the falls.

Tunnel Falls is very high.

First view of Crossover Falls!

Crossover Falls is a fantastic area to eat lunch and change socks!

Our view while we ate lunch

Susan's gear and her leftover lobster pizza.

Susan M. has one wooden hiking pole and I use two black hiking poles. They provide support and stabilization on a rocky trail.

Happy hiker...just ate her lobster pizza.

Now it's time to head back down the trail. I just had to take more photos of the cliffs.

As you can see these cliff walls go straight down!

Lots of cliffs to traverse.

Steel cable bolted into rock for us sissies.

After the hike we drove to Cascade Locks to have our Volksmarch record books stamped and eat the lunch plate for $3.00.

We signed up for two more walks tomorrow: a 12K and a 10K. Status: pending. Our feet and legs may tell us differently. I have two blisters, one on each small toe. Ouch!

Again, we made use of the hot tub to soothe our aching muscles. I can tell you it really helps.

The reality of the road is setting in. Susan M. moved into her own hotel room today. She is a very light sleeper and doesn't like my snoring. She said she wasn't getting any sleep. Now we both have our own space which is very nice. I can blog until the wee hours and she can go to sleep at 9 p.m. Tomorrow morning she'll pick me up at 7:30 a.m. and we'll see how our feet feel and if we can do a 12K walk.

One more blog coming tonight because I have something else on my mind.

Travel Bug out.