[Backpacker Joe]

I'm interested in BOTH! Miss. Bar, you know we RARELY have good weather on the 4th weekends... Michael, when do you want to do this? We'd have to leave early in the morning. Mason to Melakwa. Do you want to run much of it? TB

[sarbar]

Eh, what's a little rain? Hey I didn't get to tempt the weather gods on Memorial Day Weekend, so I have to tempt them on the 4th Now if you guys weren't running (AGH!!!! The last time I did a 10K, lastt summer, I told myself I'd never run another trail!) But with very light packs, 17 miles isn't that bad to hike fast-it'd still take less than a days work time (meaning less than 9 hours

[Backpacker Joe]

What's your plan Sar? Hike to Thompsoni and spend the night? If not it would make for a long day going to Thompson and over Defience and spend the night at Mason. Where's the second night? TB

[sarbar]

Well, see, lazy butt Sarbar has to get her maps out and start planning But the stupid laundry piles and Costco shopping trip I kept ignoring are demanding my time, which if I wanna go hiking tommorow morning I better get done I plan on stopping in and talking to the nice rangerette at the North Bend RS tommorow hopefully and getting some ideas

[Dayhike Mike]

Nah, I'm not a trail runner...I just start on the earlier side, and consistently, persistently make my way to the other end. I enjoy myself when I hike...no frantic paces, unless it's getting dark and I'm really behind schedule. I think the key is taking lots of *short* photo/snack breaks on the way to my various destinations. Once I get to a view or site worthy of a longer break, I take it...soak in the views...take time to go for a swim. I know that I'll get out on the other end at 6-8pm, but we have plenty of daylight and plenty of energy if you just keep going. As far as *when*, I'd be up for it this Sunday if the Foss River trip's on Saturday. I'm still trying to decide on that one...

[Backpacker Joe]

What's up with Sat. and the Foss MB? If you really want to do this in a day, I suggest starting EARLY via headlamp. Get rid of most of that road in the dark! When you hit the trail the light should just be coming up! Sar, what are you doing tomorrow? I'd be up for something!!!!!! TB

[sarbar]

If it isn't raining hard (crossing fingers) I am going to retry Snow lake, as I read a report on WTA from yesterday that the trail is more melted out. Darn it, but when I get turned back on a trail, I always go back and try to finish it I will probably start as early as I can pull myself out of bed and get to the trailhead. Mmmmm...and I made homemade pasta salad with mesquite chicken in it for my lunch~not lightweight but oh so tasty Now this weekend (fri-sunday) we are playing tourists and using up our City Passes in Seattle~an excuse to go places I haven't been since I was a wee kid