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| Starting our hike in the early morning light (what there was of it) |
Eleven Senior Trailblazers started our hike today at 8:30am, since the trailhead is only a short distance from the Senior Center. It was supposed to be cloudy all day (it was), with a possibility of showers early on. We only had a few minutes when it was wet, which was relief from last week's very wet hike. There wasn't great light for pictures, but I tried to capture the day.
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| Some of the local flora and fauna in the mist |
There are some spectacular views on this hike on days when it's clear. We saw only mist and whiteness when we got to the viewpoints. The first part of this hike starts out gently upward, but then when we reach the ridge itself, there are lots of roots and exposed spots to deal with.
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| Apologies to Al, but I had to use this one |
Here is our intrepid leader beginning the trek up the wet exposed roots, to a place where there is a sheer drop-off of a thousand feet, with only a tree to hold onto. We all made it around, but the first time I tried this I was completely intimidated by the exposure, so I crawled ignominiously across the rocks instead of stepping carefully out on the tiny ledge. Today I managed to hold onto the tree.
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| New guy Roger, Lisa, Rich, Chris, Al |
At Gates Overlook, we stopped for lunch. It was 11:45am and everybody was ready to stop, after having traveled for what seemed like ages to get here. We hadn't stopped since we started at 8:30. We occupied two of the three picnic tables and had a nice lunch, although we began to get chilly after a few minutes and decided to start back down before a half-hour had passed.
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| Still no views, but it was a nice temperature for hiking |
We began our return trip to the cars and had to keep moving to keep from getting cold. After you've had your lunch and stopped for any length of time, it seems your body temperature begins to drop and no matter how many clothes you put on, you need to get moving to warm up again. Before too long, we were warm again. We had many miles to cover before the cars would welcome us.
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| First skunk cabbage of the year |
Just before the long hike was over, I spied my first skunk cabbage of 2015. These will be prolific in subsequent posts, trust me, but this made me smile with the realization that the winter of 2014-15 is over when these guys show up. By the time we saw the cars, we had covered close to 11 miles (18 kilometers) and 2,800 feet (850 meters) of elevation gain and loss. No wonder I'm so tired as I write this!
In any event, it was a wonderful day, and I am proud to say I am still at my age able to do this sort of thing and still enjoy my evening repast without needing an ambulance. In fact, I'm feeling pretty good right now as I swig the last of my glass of wine.
:-)
your opening scenes of the mossy trees and the proliferation of ferns just made me gasp. then your description of skirting that tree at the edge of a drop-off...made me shudder. i'd join you with the glass of wine, though. :)
ReplyDeleteThat was a workout for sure!
ReplyDeleteWe saw skunk cabbage in a boggy area near the coast last weekend. They are always a welcome sign of spring for me too.
I look for Skunk Cabbage as the first plant of spring too! But not til much later! Always love your interesting hikes.
ReplyDeletewhew...that 1000 foot drop might have intimidated me as well...i just got a tingle thinking about it...ha...the forest looks almost prehistoric with all those ferns..
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being brave and climbing the roots, that was a long hike. Glad you are able to do it too.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great hike! I can't wait until I'm able to cover longer distances. Hopefully soon.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good junk of mountain to walk on. I gave up exposed areas a long time ago. I never crawled on them and was comfortable with the height. I just took it as a safety issue. Nice touch with the metric measurements.
ReplyDeleteI, too, would not have stepped on that tiny ledge. Here in Hawaii, sometimes the soil is so porous and loose that it could give way with any pressure from your feet and you could fall into the ravine.
ReplyDeleteWhat path? Climbing over tree roots! Goodness! You just amaze me--all of you! :)
ReplyDeleteI was so enjoying the trip that looked rather gentle till you came to the roots you all had to scramble over. Then you completely lost me at the drop off ledge. I'd have waited there for you all to return. Hats off to your group.
ReplyDeleteWow, that hill of roots would have stopped me. You are to be congratulated for scrambling over and continuing.
ReplyDeleteYou get cold after lunch because your body is using the energy to digest food instead of keeping you warm...at least that is what someone told me. Great hike:)
ReplyDeleteYou should be proud of your self! Hiking 11 miles in those conditions is a great accomplishment. Brava!
ReplyDeleteLOL...you needing an ambulance? VERY doubtful DJ!! You're one of the strongest, most agile, and adventuresome bloggers I know! You're healthier than most...and from what you do to keep active, that is the top reason!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hike. As always.
You'll never need an ambulance!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fantastic hike, but I'm mostly jealous of your skunk cabbage, which won't be out around here for ... well, at this point it seems like NEVER!
ReplyDeleteYae, DJan! You really are amazing! What a fantastic hike!
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