10-18-12 Redwood

Maureen was going to lunch with a friend, so Darby and I went out for a hike. It was a very warm day, so I picked a place where it would be at least partly shady -- Redwood Regional Park. I expected that on a Thursday, there wouldn't be many people there, but the Canyon Meadow parking lot was nearly full. I saw a bunch of kids, so I think there was a school group there. We started off up the Canyon Trail and left them behind. After passing a couple of bikes and runners, we had the trail to ourselves. It's a hard, steep climb, but it doesn't last too long, and soon we were up on the East Ridge Trail.

It was one of those days when all of the trees and grass and dry leaves and rocks just seem to stand out more clearly than usual. Everything was placed just as if it was meant to be that way. Maybe that sensitivity comes from looking at things as an artist or photographer. Maybe it was because I had neglected to bring my camera and was noticing all of the potential shots that I was missing. Or maybe it's simply that some days I'm more relaxed and in the present. Anyway, even though it was hot, and there is really nothing too special about the trail, I was really enjoying it.

After a couple of miles, we turned left on the Prince Trail defending steeply back into the canyon and then following the Stream Trail back to the start. I was feeling a bit nostalgic about the three stone huts that used to be along this section of trail. I remembered a couple of times in the late 50's when I camped with the scouts in one of the huts. One time it rained the whole weekend and we spent many hours with a bunch of us cramped into a small uncomfortable space. There is no sign of the huts now, but there are a couple of newer wooden structures of a similar size. Maybe some day I'll try to find out what happened.



 

4.3 mi. -- 1100 ft. up and down