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, June 15, 2008

Henry Cowell State Park

Father's Day! Dan had to work. So when he got done at 4:00, what did I do for him?
Made him go on a 7 mile hike at Henry Cowell Park. Now tonight he gets to take a
muscle-relaxant and go to bed! The good thing about Dan's schedule is that he can
eat anything he wants and never gains weight!


The upper regions of Henry Cowell are full of pines, not Redwoods.

This This is the view from the Observation Deck at the highest point in the park.

This is one of the sandy trails leading to the observation deck. This area used to be an ocean floor. Like being at the beach.

Resting at the Observation Deck. Dan wanted to take a nap but no chance of that.

More views from the Observation Deck.

Redwoods on the way back to the car




This is actually some falls in Mt Hermon, about 1/4 mile from the house, on Bean Creek. We walked here first, before going to Henry Cowell.
Terri's first hike! Dan is pointing out that on one side of the trail is Bean Creek and the other side is Zayante Creek.


Back to Henry Cowell. The observation deck from below.

Obviously a map of the Park.

The Observation Deck. It could use some places to sit!


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1 comment:

Gail said...

I thought the same thing about the observation deck, they could sure use some seating. I think we have done this hike a couple of times, from a couple of different directions... I like this area, so majectic from the top.

Happy Fathers day Dan. A day well spent.
-g

June 16, 2008 at 2:59 AM

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