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| Squires Lake |
In preparation for writing today's post, I went back and looked at previous years that we have done this particular hike. It's an easy one for us, just under six miles round trip and around 1,000 feet elevation gain and loss. Not our usual ten- or eleven-mile trudges. Probably for that reason, we get more people than usual; today it was thirteen.
Last year it was nineteen.
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| Chris and newcomer Sharon |
The temperature last year was also very similar to this year's, around freezing to start and warming up ten degrees or so as we ascended. I didn't get warm for awhile, but then I stayed warm, congratulating myself on having chosen the correct layering technique. Rain was expected before the hike would end, but although we felt a drop or two, we didn't get wet.
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| Carol and Linda gazing at the view |
This is the top of our hike, and I smiled when I noticed that I almost always take a picture from this vantage point, with different people in front. You can see the I-5 highway running left to right about a quarter of the way up. We could hear the traffic in the distance on this hike now and then, but as we stood here it was quite loud.
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| Looking down at the group |
I walked up to a small promontory behind us and got this picture before we decided to turn around and head back down. It was still early, too early to stop for lunch, so we thought we'd wait a bit before stopping. At this point we also felt a raindrop or two, and nobody wanted to hang out for long and get cold again.
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| Squires Lake again |
By the time we got back to Squires Lake where we started our hike, the sun was making appearances now and then, but we kept on going until we returned to the cars. This rare sunshine didn't stick around long, and nobody was all that excited about stopping. It wasn't even noon by this time.
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| Sign reminding people to clean up after their dogs |
This sign was new, and I hadn't noticed it on the way up. You'll notice also that someone found a pair of glasses, placing them on the sign, and hopefully the owner will find them. It's always nice when somebody takes care of lost items found on the trail.
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| A few of us stayed for lunch at the Senior Center |
Although several people decided to head home right away after we reached the Senior Center, some of us pulled out our lunches and enjoyed a nice warm leisurely lunch inside. The sunshine came and went outside, and by the time we left there was still no rain. But now, as I write this post, I see that it has come indeed, and we were very lucky to have had a wonderful day together, as well as staying dry the whole time. Another really fine day, exercised and content, as I finish the day's tasks. And it's still early!
:-)
really nice to make it through without rain! love the 2nd shot with the view. i think this might be one climb i could do with you! :)
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and peaceful...
ReplyDeleteYou know what I like about the people you hang around with? It seems as if you all have your natural hair color. Here, you would have to look long and hard to find a natural head of hair in addition to my own. It's a relief to me to see people comfortable in their own skin and hair!
haha...love the sign...and looks like you had a really beautiful day....def a nice view from up there....
ReplyDeleteNice view and so green! I was looking at the view toward the highway and noticed a few dead evergreens. Another good hike...six miles is a great hike perhaps you guys should hike slower:)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice hike to me, even if it is an easier one. And so green! Where is your snow?
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfectly wonderful day you had! You were really, really lucky to have missed the rain. Six miles uphill is still a bit much for me. You are so very fit!
ReplyDeleteYou're getting soft...six miles and beat it before the rain!!! One wonders if we should split groups as you find some people will attend the shorter hikes.
ReplyDeleteA mere six miles? In dry weather? No challenge at all. I am surprised you didn't do it blindfolded, carrying weights.
ReplyDeleteIt looks, as always, gorgeous and I am very happy that you have found so many kindred souls.
The photos of fellow hikers are really neat. Glad it didn't rain that much.
ReplyDeleteSix miles with a 1000 feet elevation gain is more my speed. So is having lunch with a table and chairs in a warm room!
ReplyDeleteThe rain hit here about 1:30. We got our 3.5 mile walk in this morning.
I could do this hike! Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSome hikes are like old friends. It's nice to revisit them every year, and there's always lots of memories. Glad you and your friends were able to beat the rain! It's absolutely pouring tonight.
ReplyDeleteWell done. You seem to be quite lucky with the weather, managing to do these wonderful hikes just before or in between the outbursts.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to read you have a 'new comer' in your group.
ReplyDeleteAnd staying warm and dry with the right layering is so important. Even if the hike was nothing compared to what you normally do, the views and companionship with the right exercise and timing is all worth while.
I love those shots of Squires Lake and I love to meet new people coming to hike with you. You seem to have some good luck with the rain staying back long enough to fit a hike in. Nice photos DJan :)
ReplyDeleteA nice hike through wonderful scenery. I laugh returning to an area and seeing the same angles I shot before.
ReplyDeleteGlad you weren't doused! Such a funny sign. Your senior center looks nice and clean and bright. :)
ReplyDeleteYour hiking photos are lovely, looked like a good hike, but my favorite picture is of the lunch bunch. That's where I would have been waiting for everyone to return. I am indeed a fair-weather hiker.
ReplyDeleteNow you are speaking my language. Relatively short hike (compared to the usual) and lunch in comfort and not sitting on a cold, hard patch of ground. I can see why this one gets more takers.
ReplyDeleteI always feel that I'm hiking with you when you go up and down the mountains D-Jan. This looks like a particularly interesting one so I have enjoyed it, thank you LOL The pictures came out really well and as often happens, I think how similar your weather is to ours, here in England.
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