Hiking Hints (Learned the Hard Way)

*Always tell someone where you will be hiking, in case you don't come back!
*Always carry a cell phone. Most areas get cell coverage because many trails go along mountain tops.
*Always have a trail map of the hiking area. Many trails are very poorly marked.
*Don't wander off the trail. There is likely to be poison oak in the brush. Learn to recognize it, but remember it is still active in the winter when all it is a stick.
*Use a walking stick for steep trails. It saves strain on the knees and can double as a weapon if you encounter mountain lions or wild boar. (Which you most likely won't)
*Always take water with you.
*Use sunblock or you will end up looking like a piece of rawhide.
*Keep granola bars or other non-perishable snacks in your pocket or backpack.
*Have a jacket with you that can be tied around your waist in case of chilly weather.
*Ibuprofen is an essential item for your pocket also.
*In cold weather kleenex comes in handy for your nose. It's an essential for women too on long hikes with small bladders.
*A pedometer is a fun item to use so you can brag to your friends about how far you walked!
*Leave enough time so that you will not be caught with the sun setting and you're still out on the trail.
*Avoid walking through tall grass. Ticks love to wait on a stalk of grass and jump on your leg as you pass. Ticks infected with Lyme disease have been found in the Santa Cruz Mountains and other areas of California. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. (A tick remover is a handy device for your backpack.)
*If you do encounter a Mountain Lion, calmly repeat "nice kitty, kitty" while backing away slowly.
*Be careful where you sit and put your hands, especially around sunny rocks. Rattlesnakes like to sunbathe there and will resent your intrusion. (A snake bite kit is another handy item to carry.) By the way, you probably won't die if you get bit by a rattlesnake.
*One of the most important items to carry is Chapstick. Huffing and puffing uphill can really dry out your lips.
*Sucking on hard candy can help with a dry mouth from all that huffing and puffing too.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Big Basin Water Falls Hike

33 years living in Boulder Creek and I had never seen the beautiful falls at Big Basin. No wonder. It takes 8 hours of strenuous hiking to get there and back! 14 miles! By the way, 8 hours of strenuous hiking burns about 1000 calories. We started out at noon on a warm day, without eating lunch first and by the time we got to the falls we were STARVING and running out of energy. We ate but we didn't bring enough water and became quite dehydrated. Dan drank out of the creek but the rest of us weren't that daring. So far, he's not sick. It was an incredible hike though and very satisfying. We got back to park headquarters at dark. We were all gratified that our feet held out and we lived to tell the story.

A rare "white" Redwood. (Covered in Lichen)

Happy Hikers starting out.

One of the beautiful Giants along the trail


This poor Giant was uprooted some time ago.

Golden Cascade Falls

More Golden Cascade Falls

Silver Falls

The trail to Silver Falls



Berry Creek Falls

Turkey Tail Fungus


Tired Hikers taking a break


Hiking up to Silver Falls


Golden Cascade Falls again


Dan at the base of Golden Cascade Falls

Poor Redwoods burned in a fire


The view from Sunset Trail on the way back


Ferns along Berry Creek

A lizard guarding the path


More black Redwoods


Even more tired hikers
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1 comment:

Gail said...

you guys look totally and completely SPENT!!!

I havent made it to Berry falls yet. Only biked up the trail from Waddell Beach, and came within a mile or so... alas.

Love the pix.
-g

April 16, 2008 at 4:27 PM

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