Thursday, February 16, 2012

Another soggy Thursday hike

Ten of us hardy Trailblazers headed out to Cub Creek (on the south side of Stewart Mountain) in a light rain. At first it wasn't too bad, but it was already raining when we started our hike at 400 feet elevation. As we ascended another 2,200 feet, there were times when we were in the forest canopy and stayed pretty dry. We even thought maybe it wasn't raining all that much.
We only spent perhaps a mile or so on these roads, the rest of the time we were on trails. We spent some time on the roads traveling under huge power lines, which were singing so loudly from the humidity they sounded like running water. Sometimes they hum, but today they were just... loud. Everything is very green from all the rain we've been having, but once we hit the road higher up, the rain changed character, to snow.
This picture is what our upward trajectory looked like, once we had passed the power lines. By this time, since we had been traveling upward pretty steadily, we were all warm and toasty, but the wind had picked up and when we stopped for any time at all, we began to get chilled. It just didn't seem to make much sense to continue upwards, because any place we would stop for lunch would be cold and uncomfortable. So we had a conference.
We determined that we would descend into the trees and then decide whether or not we wanted to find a fairly dry spot to stop for lunch, or head back to the Senior Center, where it would be warm and dry. Just stopping for a few minutes we began to get cold, so without delay, we descended into the trees. Hiking downhill makes it harder to stay warm, and by this time we all wanted to get moving. Here you can see the power lines, and our trusty leader who had forgotten his raincoat. Al is wearing a plastic poncho he brings along in case of an emergency. This seemed to be an appropriate time to put it on.
We are actually heading downhill in this picture, although it's hard to tell, and we stayed in the snow until we reached the trees. At this point the wind was pretty strong and kept us moving until we were out of its range. One nice thing about trees on the trails is that they block not only the rain but also the wind.
 I may have taken a picture of this interesting tree before, but I was struck by it again today. There was, at one time, a "nurse log" under this still healthy tree, causing it to send its roots down into the ground around it. However, now the log or stump is gone, having done its job, and the tree now looks a little like it could just walk away.

By the time we reached the cars, we had covered somewhere around seven miles up and down in almost four hours, with very little time standing around, and managed a 2,200 feet elevation gain and loss. It was a, yes, wet day, with no views, but I still had a good time and sure enjoyed my warm and dry lunch at the Senior Center! Hoping for better weather next week.
:-)

25 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos. I loved that interesting tree, though it could form the basis of a fairly creepy nightmare.
    You are such a stalwart hiking in those conditions - and your warm and dry lunch was certainly well deserved.

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  2. That tree is awesome. It looks like it's still living. It's been cold, rainy, and miserable here today.

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  3. You can send some of your wet this way. We're really dry. How's the footing on trails like this? Our trails get pretty muddy in the summer.

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  4. Bummer sorry I missed you at the Senior center. Looks like you had quite the burly hike today. I loved your tree also, it does look like it's trying to join you all in your hike! I'm so glad I'm back hiking again.

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  5. It looks so beautiful but I sure wouldn't want to be out there in that snow and wind. No way Jose!

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  6. wow that tree pic is awesome...what a neat find...and so odd...perhaps that is why i like it...smiles....you are the trail trooper djan

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  7. My grandson is trying to take me away from the computer, but not til I write AWESOME TREE!!!

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  8. I love when I come across something crazy in nature like your walk away tree! The green in your photos is so rich; the one thing we can thank the ever present rain for, right?

    Sometime this spring I'm coming up to visit Jess and we hope to hike. I'll have to find out if there are any hikes you know about that aren't too strenuous for me! I can do gradual elevation, but nothing too steep.

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  9. Brrr. I am glad you turned around. I was getting cold thinking about your hike. I love that tree. I always learn new things from you.

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  10. What a great time you are having with the new camera.
    What an interesting tree.
    I do envy you wonderful hikes and comrades. PK

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  11. The tree looks like something out of a Dr Seuss book. Love it!
    I managed to get in a 3.5 mile walk in the dismal, but not wet afternoon here. They say moisture is good for the complexion, right?

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  12. That is a really cool tree! I saw the rain forecast on the Today Show this morning..and thought of you and your group. You are a great bunch to hike in the rain..how is your new rain coat working? :)

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  13. Very unique tree, DJan...seeing it alone was worth the uncomfortable elements. Last week I walked in 16 degree temps and thought of you!

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  14. Extraordinary images. But, I'd much prefer the 'soggy' instead of the white. Any ol' day.

    LOL

    in regards to the friends connect on our sidebars, it's my understanding that as long as you have a Blogger Blog, you won't be affected...it's going away for those that utilize the script in Type Pad and Wordpress, etc.

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  15. It's an interesting tree, but a long hike for the view. The warm, dry lunch at the senior center is more my style. I wouldn't mind hiking, but I would want to have too many creature comforts and great weather. You're brave to take on the elements.

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  16. Your first snow photo is really gorgeous.
    xo jj

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  17. that tree is amazing
    and I could picture it walking away

    when the wind is very loud my granddaughter will ask - "are the trees walking around?"

    I love how the snow decorates the greenery

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  18. That tree is so cool!! I've never seen anything like it. What a hike. I think I'd be ready for the nice, warm. dry Senior Center for lunch, too. :):) I love your pictures! The more the better!

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  19. That is indeed an interesting tree. I would have taken a photo of it also. Seeing all that snow sent a shiver down my back.

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  20. Dear DJan,
    I so enjoy these virtual hikes I take with you. I learn so much and your photographs make me want to be out in the woods and state parks again in Minnesota.

    Thank you for your enthusiasm for hiking. It is one of your most endearing traits.

    Peace.

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  21. wow! such pretty trekking area! and that is a very cool tree!

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  22. The tree looks as though it might join you on the hike. I have never seen a tree where the nurse log was completely gone. The roots almost form a heart shape.

    This has been such a mild winter maybe we are getting the spring rains now and the sunny days will come sooner.

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  23. I think it's wonderful that the weather never deters you and your group. You're amazing.

    As is that tree in the last image. Isn't it just incredible how nature keeps on like that? Fabulous tree.

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  24. That tree reminds me so much of an Ent, I can easily imagine it going "warrrooom" and picking itself up and slowly walking away with some hobbits hiding up in its branches! :o)

    I'm not sure I'd be one to hit the trail if it's already raining and promises to get worse... but then I'd miss out on seeing that snow and it was beautiful!

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