Starvation Ridge: Switchbacks, Views & Waterfalls

To the left of the parking lot is a little picnic area with a great view of the autumn foliage and Starvation Creek Falls.

Me! One of the perks of hiking with a friend.

The Starvation Ridge Loop hike is a short one but not without challenges. The first half mile is spent doing some pretty serious switchbacks up to the overlook. My calf muscles did not appreciate me climbing almost entirely on my tiptoes and I had to stop to do some stretching. It was a good reminder that this needs to be a part of my daily routine to take care of my body while on the trail, or I'm going to run into problems.

I went hiking with a friend, which is a bit unusual for me, but I really enjoyed it. Having Jenn along made me take time to enjoy being on a mountain and in the woods, instead of concentrating on mileage or getting too absorbed in my thoughts. We stopped at the overlook point to have a snack of candy, apples, cheese and crackers. Jenn brought the candy...I'm not sure I'll ever really develop the sweet tooth some hikers have. A couple of Malted Milkballs and a piece of dark chocolate with sea salt were plenty for me. I don't know how some people live on candy some days on the trail. But who knows, I may end up devouring candy with the best of them by the time I've gotten into my hike.

Praying Mantis joined us for snacktime

The oak trees were one of my favorite things on the hike. The wind in the dry leaves sounded like grasshopper wings, and they were twisted and mossy and beautiful.

Once we were done soaking up the views we headed back down to get back on the loop trail. This descent is through a meadow reminiscent of the Alpine views from The Sound of Music. I hummed a few lines from the musical’s main theme as I hopped down the switchbacks that take you back down to the forest floor. There are several waterfalls along this trail, most of which can be seen most clearly after the descent. One of my favorites was the apply named Hole-in-the-Wall Falls. 

Another waterfall takes a little scrambling up a boulder to get a clear view, which made it even more fun, in my opinion.

We finished the day with a cold pint at Thunder Island Brewing Co. We even got a close up view of  the barge we saw earlier that day from the overlook while it passed the island the brewery is named after.

Hiker Hunger

Written September 11, 2013

I'm putting all of my English student skills to use researching everything PCT. Gear, food, when to start, to resupply or not to resupply. I'm reading stories, looking for answers.

I'm not going to bring a stove with me. If I finish the desert and decide I want one, I'll see what the resupply boxes or stores have, but I don't think cooking is that important to me. A lot of hassle when I can just add water and eat cold food as soon as I get to camp for the night.

I'm also going to give up being a vegetarian on the trail. I've been a vegetarian/occasional pescitarian for more than half my life. Sixteen years without mammal or avian protein. On the trail, I'm already concerned about getting enough calories. My first hike I averaged 1200-1500 calories a day, not because I didn't have enough with me, but because I didn't want to stop and eat. I'd get into a rhythm and just go. I had an eating disorder as a teenager. I would restrict my caloric intake to as few calories as possible. This is an all too tempting game on the trail, one too dangerous to not be wary of. I'm going to need all the trail magic I can get, and I want to stay healthy. I've worked hard to love my body and to be healthy in so many ways.

I have mixed feelings about junk food on the trail. It's so common, but I so want to take care of myself. How do you get enough calories but have healthy and low weight, high caloric density food options? Will I suddenly start eating things I haven't had in years and years, like candy bars and Cheetos and fast food? Can I eat well without spending an exorbitant amount of money?

I've got more questions than answers right now. I'm so grateful to the hikers and gear reps who have let me talk their ear off so far, and to everyone who's offered support. Y'all are amazing!