I felt like I was going to end up like this:
I started on Raider Ridge from the north side, and ran towards town and the Telegraph system. The view north towards Silverton on a mostly overcast day:
Telegraph Hill:
On the summit of Telegraph, which was an interesting summit of rock slopes, obtained via a steep ramp of rock from the nearby saddle:
My water ran out at the junction near where the Jeep road meets the big meadow below Telegraph. I tried to find what I thought would be a quick way back over Raider Ridge but never found the Down 'N Out trail :\ I was parched at this point and here I was wasting time on a road of unknown length. I gave up and went back to the junction and the trail I had come down on the outbound leg.
I was reduced to walking by then, because dehydration was causing my legs to cramp and my dry throat to constrict if I ran. Crap.
Skies were overcast and it was spitting rain now and then, or else I would have cut it short sooner.
Frustration and cursing ensued. It was a long, slow slog with creeping stretches of slow running on the flats and downs. I was starting to feel sluggish, and then the sun was peeking out now and then, making things worse.
I stuck right along the ridge because there was a slight breeze.
On the final couple of miles downhill, I traded places with a couple that talked so continuously that there was not a single break in their conversation, ever. I'm thinking "Let me out of here please" but I couldn't run. Lol. And they were cutting trails (which I dislike), so I'd get ahead of them and all of a sudden they'd be ahead of me.
Well, I finally made it back without passing out and becoming buzzard bait.
Distance was 20.11 miles, time 5:19 (moving 4:26), elevation gain/loss 3,673 feet, avg. pace 15:53 (moving 13:16).
At least it was some good mileage.
And damn, that ice water was great when I got back.
