05/05/2026
Story time. The first time I did this hike was September 2025, just at the very end of a really intense couple weeks of health mishaps. ER visit for stomach ulcer, endometriosis flare, ebstein barr virus flare, dyshydrotic eczema flare, and then a staph infection. Yikes.
My first time doing this hike was, needless to say, beautiful, but also SO difficult because my body was insanely weak after these back to back health issues. I was still taking my steroid meds at the time to help my eczema and staph infection. But walking on these trails literally made me feel like I had never once done physically activity in my life. My heart was pounding, I had such a bad side ache, and I was absolutely exhausted. Soooo weak.
Last week, I did this hike for the second time. And this time, I couldn’t believe the difference of completing this hike vs my first time. My body is stronger, more in tact, and I haven’t been dealing with insane health flares that has been keeping me from staying active.
It’s moments like this that remind me how much my chronic health issues show up in my travels. It’s funny to notice your health progress through the lens of travel.
Anyways! This hike is unreal and so gorgeous and I’m grateful I got to do it twice in the last 6 months. 🤍