Driving into the park, I’m debating about my hat and gloves. Do I stuff them into my jacket pocket in case I need them later?
But what if I decide to take off the jacket as I climb? Then it’s impossible to pack it into itself. I’ll have to tie it around my waist, which I find enormously irritating.
Two minutes out of the truck and the decision is made. I toss gloves, hat, and the jacket back into the passenger seat in already warm December sun.
The trail begins with a short wooden flight of stairs.
then it winds at a fairly gentle incline up the hill.
A cheerful Christmas surprise brightens the side of the trail. There’s nothing to say who did it or what it’s for; park rangers? some kids playing around? It’s a bit of unexpected fun either way.
There was a little distant machinery roar at the beginning of the trail. It’s hushed to silence now, muffled by the hills and the carpet of leaves.
Through the skeletal trees, the views of the rolling hills extend for miles.
Near the top of the hill, a bench invites a quiet rest and a short cut trail branches off, leading back down to the trailhead.
There are a handful of other solo hikers today, and the occassional distant chatter of what sounds like a children’s school trip.
The trail levels out along the ridge for awhile, then begins it’s descent back into the valley,
where tumbled boulders and craggy rock formations,
tease at a mysterious little cave.
The trail ends at the road and wanders alongside it to the visitors center parking lot to form a two mile loop.
It’s only one of many trails in park. I’ll definitely be back to check out the others.
Rambling ... 