I settled on the Auxier Ridge, Courthouse Rock loop. It would be around 5 miles, take me back to where I started, and have some uphill climbing. I am not afraid. I can stop and take a break whenever I wanted.
It started out easily enough, a simple trail into a nice quiet forest. Some little descents, more pretty forest, some rocks, not a bundle. It's not until I began to approach the junction with Courthouse Rock Trail did I really get the sense of being out on a rock ridge. That's because the whole terrain changed from lush forest to desolate rocks. Beautiful rocks, wonderful views of the Gorge. Definitely one of my favorite loops to hike.
After taking the stairs down and walking a little bit around the Rock, I sat down with a nice group of Boy Scouts and their leaders for lunch. Or at least, I ate, the boys climbed the rocks, and the Leaders made me laugh telling the boys not to climb on the rocks.
After lunch, I continued down Courthouse Rock trail, into the valley beneath Auxier Ridge. There were some gentle rolling climbs, but it wasn't until the ascent back to the top of Auxier that things became interesting. To say there was a trail is a bit of an over-statement. There was more a drainage to follow that was covered with downed trees. The only way I knew that I was in the right place still was a random blaze on a dead tree at the next bend. It felt harrowing. Or that was my own in-experience talking, hiking alone. I felt awful when I got to the top. Horribly out of breath, I sat down on a rock. A couple of times, passers-by asked if I was ok. I was, I just needed to cool off and catch my breathe before my color and strength would return. I felt like I dragged my ass out of there, but victorious for the hardest I'd done yet. All by myself.