It has been several years since I did a winter solstice hike of any length. I wasn’t going to tackle the much longer, tougher trail, version that Andy and his companions would take on. I couldn’t, I suspected, keep up the required speed throughout the day. I would be left to sally forth, solo, along the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail to find my way to the endpoint about 14.5 miles east of my starting point.
I was dropped off at Loveland Road at 7:30AM. Perhaps I could have started walking right away. It was alreay beginning to lighten as we moved towards sunrise. However, I elected to wait a little while - getting colder - for more light. At this time of day it is pretty quiet. The snow absorbs some sound but when it is 16°F not much is moving to quickly at this pre-dawn hour. At least not much that I heard. When I began my hike at 7:47AM I am confident I was making the most noise in the immediate vicinity. Over the next 10 hours I would work my way along trail, making mistakes here and there, towards Goodband Road. The video and photos will give you a glimpse of what my journey was like.
This visualization of my route will give you an idea where I was.
Photos
Starting my version of the Winter Solstice 2024 death march. My version starts at Loveland Road. The planned hike is about 14.5 miles long. Sunrise will be in a few minutes but there is enough light to start my hike.
--December 21, 2024 at 7:47 AM.
Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, OpenTopoMap map
Passing through the area of the Waterloo Recreation Area headquarters. The sun has been brightening the sky making it feel warmer. I’m actually a bit overdressed.
--December 21, 2024 at 9:31 AM.
Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, OpenTopoMap map
I’ve made a few mistakes along the way. I think I’ve trod about 9 miles by this point along the bike path that leads to the underpass below M-52. This would be an easy fast walk except for the black ice.
--December 21, 2024 at 1:07 PM.
Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, OpenTopoMap map
It’s been a lovely day so far. Temperature has been in the mid 20s with on and off sunshine. Now and then the honking of Canadian geese flying overhead can be heard, now and again sandhill cranes cut loose with their slightly unnerving calls, other things chitter about, and the ever present sound of my feet crunching against the snow.
--December 21, 2024 at 1:23 PM.
Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, OpenTopoMap map
Sunset is just a few minutes away. I believe I have hiked just over 15 miles and have a bit over a mile to go. I wonder if I will have to use my headlamp before I reach the end at Goodband Road.
--December 21, 2024 at 4:56 PM.
Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, OpenTopoMap map
The end. 16.5 miles of hiking, including 2 miles of detours, to complete my hike. Hurray. Now I have to wait for the others, doing a 25-mile hike, to arrive. I figure they will arrive in 45 to 60 minutes.
--December 21, 2024 at 5:36 PM.
Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, OpenTopoMap map
