Tuesday, May 26, 2020

local

grasses already drying up

Staying local has led to exploring a few trails I haven’t seen in awhile. This time on foot! The only problem: all trails lead down the canyon. It was not too hard to hike down to Tamaroo Bar, following the path along the river, and I do this trail (when I can trailer out) with Major a few times a year.

maybe a geocache? Pokey thistle surrounded it!


that straight line/trail above the river ahead: one of the final Tevis miles

But what goes down must come up…and up! On my own two feet. Damn, the first climb (on a human-only trail) just keeps going and going. Good thing there were plenty of places to stop and catch my breath take pictures of wildflowers!

yellow flower on tough succulent

twining snakelily

Then it goes down again, and back up! What kind of hell is that? Halfway through a riverside picnic was in order, complete with books to read and a lovely breeze.

lovely lunch view

The last part was almost too much. The breeze had died down and how does 80 degrees feel like 95 in the beginning of the season? I was very glad I had started with a full camelbak bladder in the backpack as I slogged up the last of the hill. The regular uphill gradient felt like easy street compared to the steeper sections!

old train trestle supports

huge alligator lizards: mating or fighting, couldn't tell!

I must have done about 15 miles…damn, my GPS says only 6.5. It was the 1000+ feet of elevation that made it seem so much longer (and lack of recent hard hiking for sure!)

I really do need to start hiking up those steep hills I make Major carry me up! But for now I’ll catch my breath, take in the views, and enjoy the hike.

fiddleneck with a view

2 comments:

  1. It looks so dangerous there. You are savvy cuz you know the danger for so long.

    We hid a traditional geocache in our yard this week, an ammo can inside a wooden box my husband made out of scrap wood from the property 72 that we are buying. The box has a lock on it and the key hangs 8 meters high above the street, above my hedge, in the walnut tree. We've had only 4 visitors but 3 of them have given us a "favorite" point, which I pride myself on, for my idea. Apparently people like 1. large tradis and 2. clever unlocking ideas. Today an elderly couple arrived and were so happy to have us join them for support. I love it that retired age people are out here fishing for geocaches in trees 9 meters above their heads.

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  2. dangerous, like from the cliffs? There are few injuries here, mostly its the water that gets people (They see a quiet river, it is cold and fast, 2 water rescues already this week, sigh…)

    I've never been into geocaching, but have seen some while out exploring, seems like a great way to get out. Your new cache sounds great and clever!

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