Islip Saddle... I slipped…read more
So, I'm not sure how this trail is while in the spring, summer, or fall, but in the wintertime... boy, you better get shoes that grip.
I went to islip saddle to take the trail leading towards the campground little jimmy. It's an incline trail, leading you about 3 miles before reaching Little Jimmy. At 7000ft already, the air is thin and there was some wind chill mixed into that, so be sure to pack water and make it accessible to you.
That said, I started my journey towards Little Jimmy, and came across a trail of mixed dirt, gravel, small rocks, sleet, and ice. Wearing breathable running shoes was definitely not the right footwear, and I ended up slipping on the ice once. Now, slipping already sucks, but I was scared for my life. The trail is small, with a sharp angle going up and down next to you. Had my heavy pack not fell towards the mountain, the weight of it would have tumbled me off the trail and plummeting off the mountain, where there weren't many trees close enough to stop my descent. Given how fast and hard I would've fell, by the time I would catch myself or collide with something, it would've resulted in serious injury... or worse.
Islip Saddle, or any trail for that matter, is not something that you should take lightly. If you backpack overnight, like I did, be sure to take your essentials and have a emergency plan if ever should the situation arise.
Nonetheless, the whole journey really helped me learn about myself, appreciate the little things in life, and take in the beauty around me. It really is a beautiful place to go to, and I would seriously recommend it... but I recommend it, also, not to do it the way I did it-- alone. If this is your first time, bring someone with you.
And be sure to enjoy it! Your safety is the #1 priority, but take in the landscape and everything around you. And, as always, happy trails. :)