Perfect time of year to be out on the trails. The weather is perfect, the hills are all green, wildflowers are coming out, what more could you want? It's a Saturday, a good day to leave Darby at home, so I chose a place where dogs are not allowed, Round Valley. The only other time I hiked there, last spring, I stayed mostly on the level valley floor, but this time I hiked up over a big hill.
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| Marsh Creek near park entrance |
I arrived at the parking lot around 11, and it was full of cars, so I knew that there would be lots of other people on the trails. The Hardy Canyon Trail branches left just across the bridge from the parking lot. The bridge crosses Marsh Creek, which was flowing pretty good. The other, smaller creeks that I would pass today would be all dry. Around the hillside a ways, the trail heads up a small canyon. The dry creek bed is filled with sandstone ledges and boulders and the steep banks are shaded by oaks, with lots of buttercups in the grass. It's a very pretty hike, climbing, but not too steep. After a mile or so, the canyon opens up into a big grassy bowl, and finally at the top there is suddenly a great view down into Round Valley to the west.
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| Hardy Canyon Trail |
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| Starting down toward Round Valley from the top |
I sat down for a few moments for some water and a granola bar and enjoyed the view. I was afraid that the descent would be painfully steep, but it wasn't bad at all. On the way there are some interesting sandstone cliffs with a few caves. After a long way down, I was on the valley floor and following Round Valley Creek back to the parking lot.
This was really a nice hike, one of my best in a long time. I thought that by choosing a trail that went up a big hill, maybe there would be fewer people, but I had plenty of company. I didn't really mind. In fact it was kind of interesting to evesdrop on bits of conversation as people walked past.
4.8 miles, 1100 ft. climb
