Falling Rock Canyon
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 1:15 pmHowdy All 
The third time to attempt FRC was a charm. However, the day did have a surprise start.
I met Ania, Randy, Erica, Glenn and Aysel at Icehouse canyon at 7 AM. As soon as I parked, Randy and Ania pointed out that I had a completely flat left front tire. Well $hit
Glenn and Erica drove up and the two knights in hiking boots went to work saving the damsel in distress.
Glenn is very tall and muscular and applied himself to the bolts after Randy had jacked up my car. Suddenly there was a loud "snap"
When the guys saw that I had a mini spare (doughnut) and only three of four bolts, they opted to patch the tire and inflate it.
We started hiking at 7:30 AM, crossed the creek and started up Falling Rock canyon. Wow, what a difference when you're actually going the right way
As soon as we started up the canyon, I could quickly tell that my legs were tired from hiking Skyline on Saturday.
Even with fresh legs, I would have been the slowest person in this elite group. My friends kindly took turns dropping back to keep me company. Early on, we went up to the left around a dry waterfall. Then it's a matter of making one's way up the canyon. At the end of the canyon, we encountered a rocky wall. To reach the saddle above us, we needed to head up the rocks or scramble up a steep scree slope.
Aysel and I opted for the scree slope, while Randy, Glenn, Ania and Erica headed up the rocks. I think I spent as much time sliding back down as I did scrambling up. Plus, someone kept moving the damn saddle further up
I had to take short breaks to catch my breath and rest my cramping legs.
Finally reached the saddle and rejoined my friends. Headed left (Sugarloaf is to the right). I love the climb up the ridge -- it was a clear day with gorgeous views. We popped out on a plateau and made our way through the brush and deadfall. Once we gained the trail, it was a short climb to Ontario peak.
Aysel, Glenn and Ania scrambled up to top of the highest rock. I was content to kick back and enjoy the views. Before long, the wasps found us but fortunately no one got stung.
On the way back, we opted to take the use trail up to Big Horn peak, then dropped XC down to Icehouse saddle. I wore shorts and had sustained several good scrapes from f--kthorn, deadfall and rocks
so people were constantly asking if I was OK as we descended. We stopped at Columbine spring for drinking water and I tried to clean up.
As nice as Icehouse canyon is, it still seems to take forever to get back to the trailhead. My tire was still inflated -- thanks again guys
The only sad part of the day -- folks had to get home so we didn't have our customary post hike meal 
I stopped at the unique Buckhorn lodge for a burger at 4 PM but the kitchen had closed.
A fabulous day with great friends who were wonderful about waiting for the old blonde mare
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
The third time to attempt FRC was a charm. However, the day did have a surprise start.
I met Ania, Randy, Erica, Glenn and Aysel at Icehouse canyon at 7 AM. As soon as I parked, Randy and Ania pointed out that I had a completely flat left front tire. Well $hit
Glenn and Erica drove up and the two knights in hiking boots went to work saving the damsel in distress.
Glenn is very tall and muscular and applied himself to the bolts after Randy had jacked up my car. Suddenly there was a loud "snap"
When the guys saw that I had a mini spare (doughnut) and only three of four bolts, they opted to patch the tire and inflate it.
We started hiking at 7:30 AM, crossed the creek and started up Falling Rock canyon. Wow, what a difference when you're actually going the right way
As soon as we started up the canyon, I could quickly tell that my legs were tired from hiking Skyline on Saturday.
Even with fresh legs, I would have been the slowest person in this elite group. My friends kindly took turns dropping back to keep me company. Early on, we went up to the left around a dry waterfall. Then it's a matter of making one's way up the canyon. At the end of the canyon, we encountered a rocky wall. To reach the saddle above us, we needed to head up the rocks or scramble up a steep scree slope.
Aysel and I opted for the scree slope, while Randy, Glenn, Ania and Erica headed up the rocks. I think I spent as much time sliding back down as I did scrambling up. Plus, someone kept moving the damn saddle further up
I had to take short breaks to catch my breath and rest my cramping legs.
Finally reached the saddle and rejoined my friends. Headed left (Sugarloaf is to the right). I love the climb up the ridge -- it was a clear day with gorgeous views. We popped out on a plateau and made our way through the brush and deadfall. Once we gained the trail, it was a short climb to Ontario peak.
Aysel, Glenn and Ania scrambled up to top of the highest rock. I was content to kick back and enjoy the views. Before long, the wasps found us but fortunately no one got stung.
On the way back, we opted to take the use trail up to Big Horn peak, then dropped XC down to Icehouse saddle. I wore shorts and had sustained several good scrapes from f--kthorn, deadfall and rocks
so people were constantly asking if I was OK as we descended. We stopped at Columbine spring for drinking water and I tried to clean up.
As nice as Icehouse canyon is, it still seems to take forever to get back to the trailhead. My tire was still inflated -- thanks again guys
The only sad part of the day -- folks had to get home so we didn't have our customary post hike meal I stopped at the unique Buckhorn lodge for a burger at 4 PM but the kitchen had closed.
A fabulous day with great friends who were wonderful about waiting for the old blonde mare
Miles of smiles,
Ellen