I’d been dying to get back to Mount Townsend since around this time one year ago. The way the snow sparkled atop the mountain peaks made my soul sing louder than a yellow canary, and I’ve literally thought about my last trip once every month.
At least.
This time however, the snow was hard to spot. The hotter than normal summer we’ve been having must have melted it all away.
This was a perfect example of how change is constant, which is funny because I mention something similar in my last post about this hike. Despite hiking this mountain during the same time of year, the views were slightly different.
I did enjoy an apple in the sky though, just like last time.
My friend and I got an early start to beat the heat this past Sunday, but I still felt the affects of the 90 degree stagnant air at a few spots. I’m a wuss with the heat.
Quite the view at 6200 ft up.
Sundays have become my day for adventure. I always have them off of work, and try to take advantage of them in any way that I can. Hiking is always my favorite choice.
The trees are my happy place, even when I become so enraptured by them that I don’t see the large rocks in front of me. I took my first trail tumble, which was too close for comfort to a large ledge. It hurt like hell, but man was it comical.
I’ll spare you the close up photo, but I’ll just say as I type this post my knee continues to throb. The first thing I thought of as I was going down was how much I regretted not purchasing the mini first aid kit each and every time I stepped foot into REI.
I had it in my hand for purchase multiple times, yet always set it down. It’s now the first thing on my list for my next trip to REI. I rinsed as much as I could with the water I had, and continued the remaining 4 miles down the mountain.
Lesson learned.
Scraped knees aside this was a lovely way to spend the day. Four solid hours in the beauty of nature fills me with enough gusto to power through the week ahead.
Until next time mountain trails, I’ll be prepared with band aids, antiseptic wipes, and a tourniquet. Just kidding on that last one, let’s hope I never need one of those.
Q: Have you taken any trail tumbles?
Blissfulbritt 
61 thoughts on “Mount Townsend Tumble”
itsmejenlovett
Sorry your knee took the brunt of a bad spill on the trail.
I love your blog. I already had the spark to visit the Pacific Northwest from books I read about the Pacific Crest trail, and you blog is slowly sealing the deal for me. Love the pictures from when you hike. Keep up the great work!
Brittany
What a nice thing to say, thank you so much! I do hope you get to visit this beautiful area, I’ve lived here my entire life and still can’t get enough of it.
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy
I had a really bad fall in New Hampshire! We apparently went the “difficult” route by mistake, and we were not prepared. There were lots of large boulders and my short legs weren’t very agile on them. I slipped on the way down and my freaked out hubby and sis couldn’t see me since I fell about 5 feet down. Luckily I caught myself before I almost landed face first on a jagged rock, but my legs were really cut up. The rest of the walk down was not fun.
Brittany
That sounds terrifying!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Girl, 1/2 the reason why I don’t hike so much is because I am scared I am going to trip, fall and SMASH MYSELF into the ground. I have done that one too many times, or maybe 10 too many times, which is why I am who I am today, a little SLOWWWW. bahhh ha ha ha ah ah!!
Heather
So so beautiful. I really can’t get over how amazing your hikes are! No bueno on the fall! I’ve fallen a couple times running… its pretty hilarious looking back. Get that first aid kit missy!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
What a gorgeous setting!! It does look different than when you were there last year.
OUCH on that bruiser!! I’m so glad that you avoided a worse tumble than what you had and I hope the recovery is quick. And that if you are left with a scar, it’s a cool one. 🙂
Brittany
It’ll definitely leave a scar, which I plan to consider one of many battle wounds. Scars don’t bother me thankfully. 😉
runner1313
I fell right before running a marathon earlier this year. Wasn’t fun!
mikeytbull
Don’t push me I’m too-close-to-the-eeeedge, I’m trying not to -lose-my-head!
The Freckled Runner
awesome pictures!! Hope that knee heals up soon!
Amy
My first thought… Is that your new hat you bought??? You look super cute! So sorry to hear about your fall though. Those things hurt! My dad always carries a verrrrrry extensive first aid kit with him on his hikes, even when it’s just a couple of miles in the super safe hills behind our house. It has enough stuff in it that it’s actually become our house’s official first aid kit too! 😉 Hope your knee heals quickly!!
Brittany
YES, it’s my new hat. I love that you noticed. It’s been great for longer runs and hikes to keep the sun off my face. I figured better late than never to start avoiding the sun at times. Your dad is a real hiker, love it.
Amy
I need to take a page out of your book and start wearing a hat… I have the WORST tan lines, and I don’t want to risk having a sunburnt nose too! 😉
Angie
Love the hikes in Washington. I miss them so much — the fresh air, the high elevation, peacefulness and the smell of the trees! Living in SoCal and in Austin, the hikes does not compare; though I’ll be heading to Maui next, so I’m hopeful the hikes there will be superb… Enjoy your PNW nature time. I’ll live vicariously through your great pics!
Brittany
I anticipate Maui hikes being something in their own category. I would love to live there for a while.
Joe Newbold
Wow wow wow looks beautiful, I’d never want to leave, I can see why your soul was singing. Hope the knee heals up quick
Anthony
Sorry to hear that you fell (something I have accomplished on both my last Sunday rides) The bruises will heel and all of your readers are quite sure it won’t dissuade you from continuing to hike. As for the bruises, until they fade, they will be seen as badges of distinction.
Brittany
Amen. As I was coming down I got a couple comments on the knee (it was sorta scary looking) and I just assured my fellow hikers they were my battle wounds of honor!
P
I’ve fallen down while running a few times. Scrapped elbows are just as painful as scrapped knees!!
Change of Pace
Looks so gorgeous! And you look so good in a ball cap!
I really miss big hikes this year!
Yup- I’m a regular faller on the trails. Just fell about a month ago while trail running. I can finally kneel with a bit of weight on my left knee!
Brittany
Thank you! I’ve never really worn hats so this is new to me! It’s easier with shorter hair.
Ellie
Ouch what an epic fall! I call those “badges of courage” 😉 I’ve fallen a couple times on trails (three times on my first half marathon) and have gotten pretty lucky that I didn’t seriously injure myself…or anyone around me. What I love about trail running is that people will pick you up and help you out if you’re in a rough spot like that.
P.S. I love your hat!!!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness
Such gorgeous hiking photos as usual! Snow or no snow, this place looks beautiful. Oh yea, I’ve totally taken a tumble down a mountain more than once! It’s funny because if my dog is with me when I slip, she turns around and looks at me like, “Umm what the hell are you doing?” haha.
allisonfiorini
Gorgeous photos, as usual and what a beautiful hike! I hiked part of the AT the other day, but I didn’t have views quite as spectacular as yours!
Brittany
I’d love to conquer a solid chunk of the AT, if not all of it!! Did you hear or read about Scott Jurek’s recent record breaking of the time it took to run it?
allisonfiorini
YES and I’m SO BUMMED that I didn’t go and run a bunch of the PA miles with him- I had friends that went! Lucky!!!!
Angela
Ouch! Even without the close up that looks painful!! Hope it feels better soon! if I was a hiker you’d see lots of pics like that I’m so clumsy!! Xo
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I’ve actually been pretty lucky with managing to avoid any nasty tumbles, but I’m sure that I’m going to enjoy a lovely one now that I’ve mentioned that. Seriously gorgeous views, though. The mountains have my heart.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I fall over everything. I fall when I am just standing up and not moving anywhere.
Also, all those photos looks like screen savers. The sky is such a beautiful colour.
Brittany
Haha, touche my friend. Thank you! The photos turned out great, and you can imagine how much better the views were live!
harveylisam
Beautiful photos! Too bad about your knee. First aid kits are definitely super important!
Jess @hellotofit
Trail tumbles are a little fear of mine!! Amen to the notion that change is constant. Once again, beautiful pics!
Aja
When I was a kid I tumbled down hills and scraped up my knees almost every time I went on a hike with my grandma. It was kind of ridiculous.
The Vegan 8
Omg a big ouch on your knee!! Those hurt so bad. I had a really bad one on my ankle when I was a kid and I still have a major scar to this day from it. On a positive note, your photos are absolutely stunning!! I’m always taken back by the beauty of where you live.
karla @ finding my fit
heights don’t freak me out but that photo of your knee by the ledge/cliff gave me a weird feeling. take care of it and keep it clean ❤
50statecanuck
2 years ago I tripped (over nothing) while running (on flat pavement) and broke my hand. lol
Brittany
NOOOOO. That is horrific.
stateeats
Three years ago I tripped over nothing and broke my ankle. – Kat
An Unrefined Vegan
OUCH!! Take care, my friend! But easy to see how you could get distracted with scenery like that!
therfpscribe
I fell too (twice!) on my trail race in the Rhône-Alpes last weekend and my cuts are scabbing and itching. The worst injury was on my right palm (dominant hand), which has rendered me semi handicap for the last few days.
I hope you are better and those photos are amazing!
Nicole Marie Story
an apple in the sky!! after the LONGEST day on earth, i’m now sitting with martini in-hand with snow white on the big screen because my sister thinks that if i existed as any disney character, it would be snow white because of our mutual love of animals. i mean, i love sleeping beauty because of the divine forrest dance with animals and prince charming, but let’s give snow white a CHANCE because of my sister and because of your apple commentary. 🙂 you’re so adorable, smart, and inspiring. we heart you. xo
Brittany
I totally see you as Snow White!! One of the beauties of Disney. I always longed to be Belle. HAHA.
di @ life of di.
Another beautiful hiking day! I’ve not taken any trail tumbles but I feel like I take some kind of tumble every week. I’m so clumsy! I’m one of those who trips going up the stairs…
Deepta S
Love this post! The pictures are beautiful- and snow or not, those mountains are stunning! My calves feel way more toned just reading this 😉
kathy
gorgeous pics of course! my friends and i are so clumsy so we always hike together because if one of us falls, the other can call for help! we’ve face-planted so many times it’s unreal. hope your knee heals fast!
Josh dV
Oh come on! Everyone knows a torn shirt and a stick can turn into a tourniquet.
I just realized that tourniquet looks an awful lot like “turn it quiet”.
runningwitherasers
Gorgeous pictures! Ouch that knee injury looks so painful! I was hiking in the smokies and took a mini tumble, but nothing too major!
Shawna
ouchhhhh, girl. but those pictures are breathtaking, as always from you! gah you make me want to live close to mountains again. can’t say i’m good with humidity either, and i’d happily join you for an apple in the sky.
Rand Runs
Great report and fantastic pics!
Rach @ This Italian Family
Oh man! I’m glad you are okay! That knee looks rough even from that angle. I imagine it hurt something fierce!
Those photos are gorgeous, though. As always. I’m coming to visit you one of these days and we’re going hiking!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
Ouch!!! I hope your knee heals up quickly! That one looks painful!
Those mountains look beautiful though! It’s a good reminder than I need to plan a hiking trip this fall 🙂
Kayse
Ouch! looks like it was a good tumble. I stepped in a hole while hiking the other day and if I hadn’t caught myself when I did, I would’ve hurt my ankle pretty darn bad. It’s hard to look out at the beautiful landscape and keep an eye on your footing all the time, isn’t it?! 🙂
BabetaRuns
Beautiful, amazing and lovely!!
(Except the knee, of course!)
Can I come next time??! 🙂
Brittany
YES! 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Ouch, that knee. I hope it’s already on the mend so you can do so more hiking. We have hundreds of trails here in Ohio but none with gorgeous mountain views, although there’s at least one with some cool falls. It’s a different topography here but I suspect you’ll love it.
Brittany
I think I will too…I’m excited.
David Ferland
Loved the post! I once fell into a silty stream in the South Dakota badlands. My backpack and clothes were coated with this gray crust for two days! No scraped knees, though.
Sophie33
Your knee must have heart a lot! But what a beautiful countryside! Waw! The mountains look huge & the landscape is just wonderful too! 🙂
darwinontherocks
I had a bad fall in Iceland. And I landed on my bum because I wanted to protect my camera and hold it in the air 😀
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