SAWTOOTH TRAIL - 5/16/09

Knowing that it was supposed to be well over 100 degrees in Sacramento today, we decided to find a cooler place to go hiking. Our first choice was Loch Leven, however, there was still 5 feet of snow there. Determined to hike in that area thinking it would be cooler, we searched the internet and came across Sawtooth Trail. This trail is located a little southeast of Truckee, is a nine mile hike and is rated moderate. A perfect hike for a hot day. We planned on leaving early enough to begin our hike by 9:00 so we could finish before it got hot. Karen and I met Polly and Bart at Raleys at 7:30 as scheduled. We got what we needed from the store, jumped into Polly's car and headed down the road. After driving what seemed like a very short distance, I reached in the back of the car to get something out of my backpack. I am sure you know where I am going with this, the backpack was not there. It was in the trunk of Karen’s car, which was parked at Raleys. OOPS! If it had been my lunch or my water, I would have gladly sacrificed and done without. However, I was wearing flip-flops and my hiking shoes were in my backpack. We immediately turned around and drove the short distance back to Raleys to get my shoes. Normally I would have pointed out that Karen knew that my stuff was in the trunk of her car and she didn't think about it or that Polly and Bart knew I needed to bring my hiking equipment and they didn’t notice that I didn’t have it either. However, since they were all such good sports about the whole thing, I will not mention any of that and will take full responsibility for the hour and forty minute late start we got this morning.

I was told that if I did not provide an accurate accounting of our morning, my co-author would. Therefore, I would like to point out that what seems like a short distance to one person, may seem like half-way there to another.







As I am sure you have noticed, we have a new guest hiker today. Karen isn't really a new. She has been hiking with us before. The first time she went with us, we got lost and made her eat her lunch as we walked so we could make sure we made it back to the car before dark. Karen isn't crazy about getting lost so it took quite a while to talk her into going with us again. Not really a good day for me to mess up but I am sure she will not hold it against me.














After the necessary preparation, we are finally ready to begin our hike.















I don't think I am even to ask.
















I didn't even make it on the trail before tripping. Is it possible I was pushed?


























The first thing we noticed was the lack of shade. We could see snow on the surrounding mountains, yet we were going to roast. Of course the others were quick to remind me that had we gotten started earlier, we could have been finished before it got hot.
















Oh no, he has Karen cornered.















I told you Karen didn't care which way the sun was setting.


















Look who joined us!


















There was a nice view of Truckee, but it seemed safer to take a picture of Bart looking at the view than to go out on the edge and take a picture of the view.















We found a great lunch spot that actually had some shade. Of course, I was forced to sit alone and think about all the trouble I had caused. It's ok, I deserved it.












This is not a must do hike for me again, however, I was the only one that didn't care for it. The terrain is very uneven and it was lacking in shade. There were a couple of times thought I would have to exclude this from the best day ever category. The first was the moment I realized I didn't have my backpack and the second was when I thought we ended up at the wrong parking lot. I had no intention of taking another step. Somehow we ended up on the wrong trail (I know, what a surprise) but ended up in the right parking lot. When we got to the car Polly and Bart pulled out an ice cold beer for Karen and I. It felt like we were in a beer commercial. You know good friends, good times. So when all was said in done, this did turn out to be another best day ever

MT. DIABLO - FALLS TRAIL 5/9/09

The Falls Trail is a must do every year. We usually try to do this one in the early Spring while there is still water to fall and the wild flowers are still in bloom. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it early enough for the falls, but there were still lots of wildflowers. We picked a hot day to hike this trail and there isn’t a lot of shade. Whatever were we thinking?













We immediately ran across some sort of strange, scary creatures. It turned out to be some actors filming a dream scene for an independent movie. How would you like to run into him alone in the forest?










Here is another scary looking guy. About five minutes after Polly and I explained to Bart why we didn’t like to go in the bushes on this hike, we ran across this little fella. Did I mention that it was hot?












This weary butterfly decided to hitch a ride on Bart’s backpack.














That butterfly may be on to something. If she can hitch a ride, so can I.













See Polly, if you look at your shadow, that will also help you know which direction the sun is going.














Does this look like the face of someone who cares which direction the sun is going? And if you are so smart, why doesn't the dog have a shadow?













Lunch anyone? This guy followed us all day waiting to see who would drop first.
















Ahh, shade at last.
















Back to the car and the end of another best day ever,