Exploring Las Trampas

If you were on this hike in Las Trampas Regional Wilderness on May 22, I am sure you would agree this was a butt "kicker" of a hike! I added up the mileage for all the trails we did and it came to 6.38 miles. Only 6.38 miles? How can it be? It certainly seemed like 10 miles or more. When you go up and down and up and down and up and down -- well you get the idea..... I don't think I remember a flat section.

Luckily, all of our hikers, 13 in all, were seasoned veterans; all in great condition. We had blue skies and cool temperatures. Thank our lucky stars for the cool temperatures or the hike would have been gruesome. As soon as we left the trail head, the trail headed up a relentlessly steep, seemingly endless ascent of the Rocky Ridge View Trail. I do believe this is the steepest start to any hikes that we do all year long. We were all huffing and puffing.

We stopped on Rocky Ridge to explore the unusual "wind caves" carved in sandstone; taking great care to avoid the abundant poison oak. As we passed over the ridge, we paused for a lunch stop and were amused by humming birds darting around a blooming California Bayleaf tree. After passing over Rocky Ridge, we descended the "Sycamore" trail. The Sycamore trail was bordered by Pennyroyal and Sticky Monkey flower shrubs in full bloom. It was truly beautiful but steep and sometimes treacherous.

Finally, at the end of the Sycamore trail we reached "Devil's Hole" which actually seemed more like a little bit of "heaven on earth" in a forest of oaks and Bayleaf trees just made for climbing. We paused for a break and a few of our number did some tree climbing. In the trip photos you can see the smiling faces of those "monkeys" in the trees.

And at last we found out why it is known as "Devils Hole". The trail that
ascends back to Rocky Ridge is aptly named Devil's Hole Trail, and it is
steep and steeper on sometimes loose footings. A definite challenge even
for seasoned hikers. All in all, a great day on the mountain.

Great day at Sunol

On Saturday, May 8, twelve hikers enjoyed the creeks and trails and wildlife in Sunol Regional Wilderness in near perfect weather. As we entered the park a deer crossed the road in front of us and a male wild turkey was strutting his beautiful fan of tail feathers. Of course, ground squirrels abounded at every twist and turn of the trail, sometimes peeking out at us and at other times boldly approaching as if they expected us to feed them. Perhaps other hikers have been feeding them in violation of park regulations.

We took the lovely Canyon View trail through pastures and rolling hills to a rock formation that overlooks Sunol Creek and "Little Yosemite". Wildflowers abounded; poppies, lupines and fields of Ithuriel's Spears. Due to the extended rainy season, the waterfalls and cascades in Sunol Creek were spectacular. Many of us went down to the creek, took off our shoes and socks and cooled our heels in the clear water.

From Little Yosemite we ascended a series of steep fire roads climbing over 1000 feet of elevation gain in about two miles. The cool breezes eased our ascent. What fun it was, like an outdoor stair-stepper. After going over a high pass we stopped near a bench for snacking and napping in the wild oats. The leader actually fell asleep for a few minutes, as did several hikers. How good life can be sometimes!

From the high point we quickly lost most of the elevation gain and came to Indian Joe's Creek trail which led us to Indian Joe's Rocks and Caves. These are not true caves but caves formed under and around the huge boulders. A few of the more adventurous hikers followed the leader, creeping, crawling, climbing and squeezing in and around the boulders and caves. Thus a great day in the wilderness was enjoyed by all.