After making the worst batch of hash browns in the history of the spud I decided to go do something I’m better at – hiking. Though it had been some time now since I’d just been on a “hike” and not hiking to access rock climbing areas.
Apex Park is nearby and I’ve never visited. The morning was full of beautiful blue sky, but the forecast promised snow later.
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After hiking part of the Apex trail, up the new Argos trail to the Pick N’ Sledge I reached the Grubstake for a loop that would have me on some snow in the shaded north aspects.
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Back on sunnier slopes and drier trail I decided not to drop down the Sluicebox trail to the Apex (which is a total misnomer as it runs through a valley). The Apex doesn’t get much sun this time of year and I could see more snow lying in wait on that path.
The decision to stick to the snow-free Pick N’ Sledge was rewarded with a herd of mule deer.
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At the junction with the Grubstake Loop I ran into another hiker who was out reliving his past days of mountain biking these trails. We chatted for a while before setting off in opposite directions.
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My two hour jaunt was only about 6 miles, but a nice way to work off the potatoes on a day too cold to rock climb.




