The biggest challenge yet - completed!

Ever since I started hiking with the "Likin' Hikin' Ladies," I've been hearing about, planning for and preparing to hike to the top of the Wellsvilles.  This is the mountain range that I see from my kitchen window.  These mountains aren't any taller than some of the others that I've hiked, but because they are narrow at the base, they are some of the steepest mountains in North America.  I missed this hike last year because I had a bad cold and couldn't breathe.  But this time I made it.  It was hot, it was really hard, but I DID IT!   We were taken by surprise at the heat.  Most of us had used up all of our water before we even reached the top.  I brought an extra 16.9 oz bottle (is that a half liter?) and that's what I drank on the way down after draining my two liter camel back. 

The great bonus of hiking the Wellsvilles is that when you reach the top, you can see Cache Valley on one side and down into the Brigham City area just be turning around.  It's breathtaking.

This moose was nibbling leaves near "Cold Water Lake" about a mile after the beginning of the hike.

Here's one view of Cache Valley.  I was able to find our house with my binoculars, but it was really far away.

And here we are with the other side of the mountain behind us - this is the Brigham City area.  One of the ladies said that these hikes are better than therapy - and less expensive.  I totally agree.  What could be better than accomplishing a really great physical challenge and doing it with a bunch of wonderful ladies?

The view down into Honeyville/Dewyville area with just me.

This picture shows what the trail was like.  The ladies above are on the switchback.  I'm on the switchback below taking the picture.