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.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Hiking the Wilder Backcountry--March 16, 2007

Dan and I parked one car at Wilder Ranch on the coast, then drove another car up to Empire Grade and started hiking back down to the car. It was about 5 1/2 miles. We had lunch at the Eucalyptus Grove and then took the Eucalyptus Loop Trail down to Wilder Ridge Trail.
This area is a former marine shelf, which means it used to be part of the ocean. It has flat shelves instead of steep mountainsides like the rest of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
The meadows and hills were covered with poppies blooming. Everything was green and only one cloud in the sky. (See picture below). It was a very clear sunny day and the views were spectacular. There are several ways to get from the top to the bottom and next time we'll try some other trails.


The only cloud in the sky.



Eucalyptus Grove



Eucalyptus Loop Trail.


More of the Eucalyptus Loop Trail


Meadow along Eucalyptus Loop Trail.


Looking toward Monterey from Wilder Ridge Trail.


Field of Poppies.


Fallen Tree


View of Wilder Beach


Reservoir at Wilder Ranch
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