Exiting the valley
I spend a good half-hour climbing the switchbacks beyond the talus field. At last the trail tops the ridge and curls west between two imposing peaks of bare rock. Just at the edge of the valley I sit atop a ledge in the dry streambed. I dangle my feet in the cool stream of air and eat a simple lunch. The autumn colors of the deciduous forest are now below me. Above me is broken limestone rock. I know the climb will get more difficult from here. But the day is still young, and my legs and ankles are doing quite well. I stretch, make sure I've picked up all the wrappers from my food, then take a last drink. I turn west and leave Aspen Grove valley behind.