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| - Excellent easy hike! Even with snow and ice on several areas of trail, provided you're wearing proper hiking boots, this is a nice family stroll.
While immediately feeling the difference in altitude, I really didn't think I would do much more than the designated blocked off parking lot for MJF. Maybe take a few pictures of snow at trailhead and leave..? Well maybe just a little further up..? These switchbacks are pretty easy and better photos with some height... Aside from watching my steps, my mind was clear and not serenaded with headphones. Listened to wind in trees, watched thin clouds pass overhead and the crunch of every footstep. I looked upwards for once and realized the falls were within reach. Other hikers on way down said "only about 15mins more... don't turn back now." Might as well finish it. I got no plans. Slow and go, 15mins and around the corner, there they were.
Two defrosting waterfalls, melting in a hurry. Warned by an experienced hiker, I didn't dare get too close. Snow and bits of ice had been falling from above since rounding the last corner. The dumb tourist in me did get a little closer and caught a dart of ice with my unguarded ear. Backing off, I did the "running man" on the slick ice runoff leading down into the gulley below, before catching a secured rock. That slide would have been long, fast and stopped by rocks to knees and shins. No thanks. Not Monkey anymore, but still clumsy.
A large lower section of ice did fall before I arrived. BOOMFF!!! echoed. Lucky to have seen it mostly intact, it may not be here after today. I do recommend this trail to all. Slow and go, pay attention and dress accordingly. Clip, zip, hang those car keys around your neck.
Bring water. If not for you, maybe for that gorgeous young lady in need, whose lips wrapped around my mouthpiece and sucked huge gulps of water from my camelback. Yeah, my pleasure, indeed. "Thanks, you're the best." Yeah, tell your friends...
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