Over 50 Outside 2023 Hike #38/52

Table Rock Rooster Rock (in the Table Rock Wilderness BLM)

This was a hike I did on July 20, 2023. It was a Mazama hike rated 2-2.5 pace. 
I have respect for the Mazamas and all the amazing training courses and climb activities that they accomplish. Every Tuesday and Thursday they have Ramble walks in NW Portland.  

In the latter half of 2022 and 2023 I have done some difficult hikes in between keeping to a rigorous volkswalking schedule. It was interesting that I struggled on this hike and decided to stop at a viewpoint and not do the last stretch up to Rooster Rock. 
I concluded that the Mazamas have a different attitude towards hiking than I find with the Meetup Groups I hike with and the volkswalking clubs I walk with. 
Mazama hikers are very driven, they see these hikes as training hikes for upcoming climbs. Or they have been hiking at these faster paces and are in much better physical conditioning than I am right now.

We began the hike at an elevation of 3186 feet. The peak I achieved (STRAVA) was 4878 feet thus I climbed 1692 feet in 7.15 miles. From the beginning I had trouble catching my breath. That by itself isn't normally an issue because the groups I usually hike with will stop for a few minutes thus I am able to catch my breath and get my heart rate lowered. This group kept to a rigorous schedule with a couple of stops-just as I started to breath comfortably the group would take off again at their same pace. 

Always trying to keep their pace did impact my hike. It soon became an endurance hike, which was not as enjoyable for me. I also found myself stumbling more which created a dangerous situation for myself and for the group, if I were to fall and injure myself. And I could feel it in my legs that they felt very heavy and the uphills became more and more difficult. We stopped at Table Rock for about 10 minutes and then headed towards Rooster Rock. 
By then I realized it would not be safe for me to continue down and up to Rooster Rock. I stayed at a great viewpoint, enjoying the cliffs and the view around me. There were butterflies flitting. I was able to eat my wrap and drink 8 oz of electrolytes thus I felt much better.
​As much as I felt like a failure I also realized that was a wise decision that I made for myself. It took the group over 2 hours to do the trail up to Rooster Rock which is a long time to go about 2 miles. They told me it was difficult but they thought of it as training. On the hike back to our vehicles I did fall twice on loose sandy pebbly downslopes. Luckily, able to get up and keep walking.
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It was wonderful to finally get out and do Table Rock, as I had heard about this hike for many years. I enjoyed the company of the 5 hikers and the hike leader. Before I do another Mazama hike I need to be mentally prepared and physically prepared to handle the faster pace and fewer stops to rest. 
If you are looking for training and building endurance, these hikes are awesome. The Mazamas are an excellent organization to be a part of. 
This particular hike was a great learning experience for me. I will say that I had purchased a new women's Osprey Sirrus 24 daypack and it is an amazing pack. The fit was so good my back did not hurt at all. Very comfortable fit. So glad I invested in a new daypack.
​#over50outside