Imp Face

Submitted by Pat

Stats
Mountain: Imp Face (3,165)
Date: November 4, 2017
Weather: 30s, mostly sunny
Miles: 6.2
Elevation Gain: 2,185
Trail: Imp Trail

  • hikers taking a selfie at the trailhead of Imp Trail
Up early to prep for today’s hike. It’s hard to know how to dress or what to pack. I’m not in winter hiking mode yet, but I’ll muddle through. I feel anxious about the water crossing(s) and can’t find any current trail conditions online after last Sunday/Monday’s storm. We’ll just take it one step at a time. My goal is not to go into this hike feeling afraid I will fail or have to work so hard that my mood plummets into depression.

Nancy and I haven’t hiked in the last two weeks and I haven’t done much walking or running for fitness either. I am experiencing so much stress at work that I’ve been unable to motivate myself after the huge tropical storm hit on Monday. What better way to pull myself out of the gutter than to hike the Imp Face loop? Folks online have said it’s a tough one. Am I ready?

Nancy and I eat breakfast at Bea’s Café in Conway Village. Not much in the way of atmosphere, but service is quick and the food is okay. I talk about my job situation, knowing that Nancy wants me to retire and have some fun before my body gets too old to do this and my passions are gone. I get that and would like to walk away from this job forever.

It’s cold at the trailhead…in the 30s cold and this is the first time since last winter that we’ve had to dress for and hike in the cold. Nancy is anxious about the cold. She’s always anxious. She may always be anxious as long as she chooses to hike in the cold. I hate that it’s so hard for her. She dresses very warmly to start the hike. I‘m wearing two light tech-wick shirts and some light gloves.

On this hike she is able to enjoy a honey crisp apple and the Imp Face summit views.

This trip report was never finished.