Yellowstone National Park has always been a favorite place for us. Mike has been going there since 1992, and I have been going since 1998. We did our honeymoon there in 2005 and last year went back to celebrate our 20th Anniversary.

During that trip (way back when I was 59), we decided to hike Mt. Washburn, Dunraven Pass Trail, a hike labeled as “difficult.” The difficulty comes from the elevation gain. I was excited about it and at the same time a little fearful. I knew I could handle the hike itself, but between the heat (direct sun affects me) and my pulmonary fibrosis, which affects my breathing sometimes, I knew it would be a challenge.

The rating was correct. Many hikers passed us as we made it to treeline and began the final ascent to the top. This was the point we were in full sun, and although I could see the top with the firewatch building, it felt SO far away. But we made. It wasn’t easy.

As we arrived back in Yellowstone this year, we had already decided that we would hike Mt. Washburn again and this time leave much earlier to avoid the sun.

At 6:09 a.m. on a gorgeous, chilly morning, we began our hiking adventure. I was now 60 and was, subconsciously, using this hike as a test of my overall health.

Hiking without heat and direct sun made a huge difference for me. I had to take a couple of breaks on the way up, but they were because I needed to take a breath as I made my way up.

The hike was exhilarating. Having done it the year prior, I knew what I was getting into, which was super helpful. Before I knew it, we were approaching the final climb to the fire lookout station, which last year almost killed me. This year, no problem.

Then we made it! I was ecstatic, and overall felt quite good. The way up was about 3.2 miles with an elevation gain of about 3,900 feet. It’s difficult to find exact data on the hike, but our watches said just over 3.2 miles going up. The switchbacks make it a little easier.

We had plenty of time to have some food and just relax at the top. We also chatted with other hikers and shared stories of our adventures around the park. It was wonderful being up there.

I did prepare for this hike and others we did while in Yellowstone National Park.

The stair climber at my gym is my best friend. A few times on that every week for at least half an hour help me a lot on the trail. And you don’t need to go fast on this to feel the benefits.

I am new to doing leg-specific workouts, and they definitely make a difference. Even adding just 15 minutes of leg exercises during your typical workout will strengthen you on the trail.

I walk every day. Even if it’s just for 20 minutes.

I try to incorporate stretches and sprints in my walks.

I hike at least twice a month, some months a lot more. A hike can be a quick, one-mile trail. It doesn’t have to be a planned-out intense hike.

I build community with others who love to hike and who see fitness as something important.

Since we returned from Yellowstone, I have done annual tests my pulmonologist has me do before our annual visit. For the first time since being diagnosed in 2023, my pulmonologist ended an email to me regarding the results with “This is great news”! This was the first time he has used those words for me. The tests summed up that there has been no progression of the fibrosis.

Hiking Mt. Washburn isn’t a cure for bad lungs, but it sure is a fun and exciting way to test them every year!

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