My day started at 5:02 am, at the waterfall north of the Parfrey's Glen State Park parking lot. The scramble down the creek bed and trail proved productive. I considered stopping at my car to grab something I’d forgotten, but recalled my day was planned unsupported. Thankful for a little bit of trail magic, I marched right past the parking lot without stopping and continued on the IAT.
The rather technical roll out to Devil’s Lake State Park greeted me with rocks and roots. This was where I started working on my initial injury -- two would be in full bloom by mile 10.
I’d hoped to make it up the West Bluff for sunrise but was pretty sure that with my 5:02 start, this wasn’t likely for my early fall trip. Spirit Lake was fog covered to the ridges as I came in, a remarkable sight. I filled water here at the public drinking fountains, before heading up the West Bluff. The sun had already risen according to my weather app, but with fog and clouds on the horizon, the sun’s rays had yet to break. To my luck, they broke through as I was crossing the West Bluff.
I caught some impressive light reflections on the lake through the fog , as I was rounding the south shore. I filled water again and headed up the East Bluff, on towards the descent out of the park and into the prairie. The run across the prairie was a bit of a slog. The best views of the route were staring at my back, the big toe on my left foot was starting to ache from kicking rocks and roots, and a muscle strain on my right leg was making itself known.
I marched out to the Merrimac Ferry, arriving within eyesight of the ferry as it departed for the south shore. I dused the public restroom and drinking fountain, and took care to re-organize my pack and fuel up while I waited for the ferry. I hit the south shore, filled water bottles again, and pressed on to Gibraltar.
Gibraltar is a jewel of South Central, and I wish I could have stayed longer and run loops…however that was not the focus of my day. Instead, I vomited here. Why not have GI issues at the furthest bail out location of the day?
The route back carries more of the ascending gains, sincetrail runners seem to find an ever-escalating level of effort fun.
I caught about a 50/50 ferry on the return trip. It was leaving the north shore as I was approaching. After filling waters at the public drinking fountains, I met the ferry and sat down on the yellow curb to relax. On the north shore, it felt worthwhile to recognize that I had passed the famous Merrimac ice cream stands without stopping.
The prairie was remarkable for all the views the welcome you back to Devils Lake State Park. The East Bluff Basin Buster that brings you back into the park is one my favorite Wisconsin climbs, and it was at this point that recognition and tears started to take root in the experience . I approached the East Bluff decent, with its steep and slick quartzite rock steps, it would both exaggerat physical pains and nag at internal frustrations. The only reprieve I enjoyed were the few remaining blank spaces in my mind. At the base, I utilized public filtered water fountains to refill again.
Getting through the park felt good. As I reached the upland section of the trail, I started to become emotional, thinking about all of the planning I had done since early spring; and for the way I was showing up now and seeing those plans manifest and become real. It was hard not to cry here. My lower extremities were blown out, which forced me to slow down and take my time in enjoying the final miles of the route. I hit Parfrey's Glen and continued up the trail towards the start/finish, taking in the calming sound of rolling and falling water along the way.