Pemi Loop

I finally had a chance to make it back up to the Pemi Loop this past weekend.  I had been up there about four weeks ago, but bailed at Galehead as I needed to get home to let the dogs out, the Partial Pemi.

I ran the typical counter-clockwise direction, hitting Bondcliff (4265'), Bond (4698'), South Twin (4902'), Garfield (4500'), Lafayette (5260'), Lincoln (5089'), Liberty (4459'), and Flume (4328').  I ended up with 29.2 miles and 9,060' of gain over the span of the loop, with a total clock time of 8:40 and a moving time of 7:44 (too many stops?). 

Photos
Strava - Pemi Loop

The Lincoln Woods lot was pretty full when I pulled in around 6:30am.  Despite this, the trails were pretty empty for a Saturday.

I took it easy as I headed up the Wilderness Trail.  I have learned that running this 4.5 mile section fast will come back to haunt you.  I ended up arriving at the entrance to the Bondcliff Trail in a little over 45 minutes. This section marks the beginning of the 4'ish mile climb to Bondcliff.

I did not pass anyone on the way up Bondcliff and did not see my first hiker until I was almost at the top of Bond.  This would be the only person I would see until the top of South Twinway.

I arrived at the Gailhead hut about 20 minutes slower than four weeks ago.  This was fine as I was told there had been a lot of showers the day before, which had made the trails incredibly slippery.

The section to Garfield was about as bad as it gets.  There is a fair bit of angled slabs which I was not able to get any traction on.  I also nailed my left toe and took one good digger, which as luck would have it, threw me into a soft section of ground.

I regretted not topping my water bottles off at the Garfield spring, as I had downed more than I expected during my one plus hour trek from Gailhead to Garfield. I should have known better as I seem to always run out of water by the time I arrive at Flume.

As is typically the case, I got my second wind after I cleared the summit of Lafayette, which is always packed. There were a few large groups of hikers on the ridge line, but I was able to make really good time to Flume.  I was extremely hungry at this point, but was also out of water, so decided to forgo eating the nut butter I had brought along.

The trip down the Osseo Trail went by quickly. Shockingly, I did not pass a single person.

The 1.6'ish miles back on the Wilderness Trail to the start were as painful as ever.  It is a short distance, but is fairly straight and seems to take forever.

I hope to get back up one more time before fall, which hopefully more vertical under my belt.  I would love to break 8 hours, but am woefully out of shape for that kind of performance.