Saturday, March 2, 2013
3/2/13 Snow is melting
A great day for a March hike. Headed east on Yellow from the Red Circle. The west-facing inclines were bare - no snow, just leaves, like hiking in autumn, but the east-facing downhills were still covered in a granular mush. Some of the descents became part hiking, part running and part skiing. It took an hour to go out to Chestnut and return to Hezekiah's Nob via the White trail. After a couple of photos, Sadie and I began a fairly rapid descent, again somewhat aided by the snow forcing a mad run/slip/ski controlled tumble. We arrived at the Red Square trailhead in 20 minutes. Back at home the round trip was an hour and a half.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
October snow hike
Amazing hike with the dog in the first snow of the season - 2 days before Halloween! So quiet and peaceful - not another soul around. The autumn leaves were beautiful, colors underneath and white on top as they hung down across the trail. No snow under some trees but an inch and a half where the sky was open above. Just a wall of white from the lookout.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Different kind of hike
Although I've been a hiking fool for months, I haven't kept up this blog. I hiked all the trails in April, twice in May, and once again in June and July. I'm over halfway through accomplishing the feat again in August.
I started out with a wild idea of which pieces I would pick up this afternoon with Sadie, but things took a different turn. I went up the Red Circle to Yellow and turned left. At the first lookout, there was an Asian couple enjoying the view and I just said "hello" and we passed on. As we neared the Yellow/Green crossover, I saw another couple ahead with a baby and decided we didn't want to be following them down the stairs. So we turned up the Yellow/Green to White where we turned left.
I sat on a rock and gave Sadie a drink. As we continued on, we met a man coming the other way. I asked where he was going and he said he intended to do the whole White today and had been up there almost every day. I said I was surprised I hadn't seen him before. He said he envied the fact that this was my back yard. He drives in from New Haven.
A little farther on we met a young couple who were the most prepared of any that we would meet today. They were intent on doing the whole White trail to Chestnut and back. They confided that their only prior experience had been the entire Blue trail. I told them they were knocking off the two toughest trails and suggested that if they wanted an easier route back that they should consider either the Orange or Yellow trails.
Then Sadie and I followed White down the rocks to the Red Triangle. When we got there , a large black man was seemingly deciding his next move. He said his intent was to follow White to "the Nob". He seemed to be fairly familiar with the Giant and I suggested alternatives but he said he was going for it.
We turned right up the Red Triangle and soon encountered a young couple in flip-flops. I asked where they were headed and they admitted they weren't sure but the woman said they'd like to go to the tower. I told them they had to turn around and that I would take them most of the way there. They followed us to the Blue and I explained that was the shortest route and the scramble up the rocks we were looking at would be the worst they would encounter. They thanked me and Sadie and I continued on the Red Triangle.
A group of 4 Asians came up from behind and seemed to be sure of where they were headed. Another group with at least one dog was approaching from the left on the Tower Path so we kept following the Red Triangle down to the Violet trail. There we turned right and passed a couple of guys who seemed to know where they were.
At the Red Circle there was enough water running that Sadie got a drink and I splashed some on my face and head. We turned right and headed for home. As we neared the Green trail, we approached another young couple in sandals and he had a young baby on his back. I asked if they knew where they were and they sheepishly admitted they didn't. So I questioned where they wanted to go and they first said "Whitney Ave" but then confessed they were on the street across from the college. I suggested the Green and showed them it was right behind them and that they should follow to the Red Triangle and then perhaps take the Yellow to the parking lot. They asked where the Red Circle would take them and I said that if they were short on time we could all go down it to my home and we could give them a ride to their car. The mom expressed concern that we wouldn't have a carseat and, after exploring the possibility of going to Mt Carmel Ave and walking down the road, I convinced them that their best route would be taking the Green to the Red Triangle and taking that down to the road.
Sadie and I continued on the Red Circle and as we neared the Orange trail crossing, a couple passed from left to right and I recognized them as the first Asian couple I had seen about an hour earlier. They were far enough ahead and moving along so we didn't exchange any words. A little farther and I saw another familiar face ahead. The large black man had made it that far on the White and was staring at the cliff ahead of him. He marvelled that we had walked around and I didn't want to tell him how far we had gone in the time since we parted company. He asked if that was "the Nob" and pulled out a trail map neatly marked in the colors of the trails. He thought we were at the Red Square and I showed him that we were on the Red Circle. I told him that although it was shorter to follow White, it would be quicker and easier to head to the Green and go around. I left him still contemplating his next move.
As we came to the Yellow trail, a woman had just crossed and was headed in the direction we had started. I called "hello" and she just waved without turning around.
We got home in a little less than an hour and a half. For all my big plans, we had only finished the one White section that we had started 2 days ago and the entire Violet section between the Red Triangle and the Red Circle. We had met or seen 10 groups or individuals and only one had another dog. One couple and one man we had seen twice. It was an interesting study in the meanderings of hikers on one afternoon on the Giant.
I started out with a wild idea of which pieces I would pick up this afternoon with Sadie, but things took a different turn. I went up the Red Circle to Yellow and turned left. At the first lookout, there was an Asian couple enjoying the view and I just said "hello" and we passed on. As we neared the Yellow/Green crossover, I saw another couple ahead with a baby and decided we didn't want to be following them down the stairs. So we turned up the Yellow/Green to White where we turned left.
I sat on a rock and gave Sadie a drink. As we continued on, we met a man coming the other way. I asked where he was going and he said he intended to do the whole White today and had been up there almost every day. I said I was surprised I hadn't seen him before. He said he envied the fact that this was my back yard. He drives in from New Haven.
A little farther on we met a young couple who were the most prepared of any that we would meet today. They were intent on doing the whole White trail to Chestnut and back. They confided that their only prior experience had been the entire Blue trail. I told them they were knocking off the two toughest trails and suggested that if they wanted an easier route back that they should consider either the Orange or Yellow trails.
Then Sadie and I followed White down the rocks to the Red Triangle. When we got there , a large black man was seemingly deciding his next move. He said his intent was to follow White to "the Nob". He seemed to be fairly familiar with the Giant and I suggested alternatives but he said he was going for it.
We turned right up the Red Triangle and soon encountered a young couple in flip-flops. I asked where they were headed and they admitted they weren't sure but the woman said they'd like to go to the tower. I told them they had to turn around and that I would take them most of the way there. They followed us to the Blue and I explained that was the shortest route and the scramble up the rocks we were looking at would be the worst they would encounter. They thanked me and Sadie and I continued on the Red Triangle.
A group of 4 Asians came up from behind and seemed to be sure of where they were headed. Another group with at least one dog was approaching from the left on the Tower Path so we kept following the Red Triangle down to the Violet trail. There we turned right and passed a couple of guys who seemed to know where they were.
At the Red Circle there was enough water running that Sadie got a drink and I splashed some on my face and head. We turned right and headed for home. As we neared the Green trail, we approached another young couple in sandals and he had a young baby on his back. I asked if they knew where they were and they sheepishly admitted they didn't. So I questioned where they wanted to go and they first said "Whitney Ave" but then confessed they were on the street across from the college. I suggested the Green and showed them it was right behind them and that they should follow to the Red Triangle and then perhaps take the Yellow to the parking lot. They asked where the Red Circle would take them and I said that if they were short on time we could all go down it to my home and we could give them a ride to their car. The mom expressed concern that we wouldn't have a carseat and, after exploring the possibility of going to Mt Carmel Ave and walking down the road, I convinced them that their best route would be taking the Green to the Red Triangle and taking that down to the road.
Sadie and I continued on the Red Circle and as we neared the Orange trail crossing, a couple passed from left to right and I recognized them as the first Asian couple I had seen about an hour earlier. They were far enough ahead and moving along so we didn't exchange any words. A little farther and I saw another familiar face ahead. The large black man had made it that far on the White and was staring at the cliff ahead of him. He marvelled that we had walked around and I didn't want to tell him how far we had gone in the time since we parted company. He asked if that was "the Nob" and pulled out a trail map neatly marked in the colors of the trails. He thought we were at the Red Square and I showed him that we were on the Red Circle. I told him that although it was shorter to follow White, it would be quicker and easier to head to the Green and go around. I left him still contemplating his next move.
As we came to the Yellow trail, a woman had just crossed and was headed in the direction we had started. I called "hello" and she just waved without turning around.
We got home in a little less than an hour and a half. For all my big plans, we had only finished the one White section that we had started 2 days ago and the entire Violet section between the Red Triangle and the Red Circle. We had met or seen 10 groups or individuals and only one had another dog. One couple and one man we had seen twice. It was an interesting study in the meanderings of hikers on one afternoon on the Giant.
Monday, June 6, 2011
June knew I'd have to do it
Hiked every day of June so far. On the first, Sadie & I just went up the Red Circle to Yellow and out to Chestnut to be picked up. On the second, we again went up the Red Circle to Green and headed West to the end on White. We took the Blue/White crossover and right on Blue to the Red Triangle and down to Mt Carmel Ave to be picked up.
June third we got a little adventurous. OK, don't blame Sadie. I don't think I'll take her over the head again OR that steep drop off Blue just before the quarry. We started out from the parking lot around the pavilion hill on Blue, crossed the bridge and up the steep climb to the rock ledge over Whitney Ave. Pat said Sadie just went down that steep drop but I had to coax her and carry her and almost fell with her. Then up the side of the quarry along with everyone else and their dogs. Very annoying. Down the other side was more peaceful and then left on the Tower Path to the tower. We took Blue back to the Red Triangle and went right. Down along the rocky stream where we took a left on Violet. That section of Violet is very tranquil in the setting sun. We went all the way down past the ruins to the rocks along the river, over the dam and back to the stairs along Mt Carmel Ave. Left on the park loop road and back to the van in 1:45.
On Saturday the 4th, Pat actually came with us. We started off of Chestnut on Green and I convinced her it wouldn't take long to go down the Yellow/Green crossover to Yellow and back. It didn't take long but she said that would be the last straying from our planned route. When we reached the Red Circle, she asked how far to the other Yellow/Green crossover. Of course I said "not far" but she knew and agreed. We got there in like 5 minutes and down to the Yellow. A brief stop at the lookout and then back home in just over an hour.
Sunday I did several chores around the house and Pat was working in her garden. So Sadie and I headed down the road to the Red Square. We took it up and over to Mansion, then back to the Horse Trail. The walk along the stone walls back there with the afternoon sun beaming through the trees was very enjoyable. I let Sadie stand in the stream while I sat on the bridge with the lowering sun bouncing off the water. We headed up the Red Circle and I helped a few guys figure out the best way back to the parking lot. We finished the Red Circle and got home in just over 2 hours.
Tonight we got a very late start. It was after 8 PM when we pulled into the parking lot and I parked at the start of the loop road on the left side. We headed up the Tower Path and got the rest of it that we hadn't done a few days earlier. Then we went down the Red Hexagon. I knew I was pushing it when I turned towards Tuttle but I wanted to touch the gate there to complete the Red Hexagon and start the Red Diamond. Even though it was getting quite dark, I let Sadie walk in the river and stand a drink for a moment. Then we headed back. The quarry was majestic in the final light of day but the next piece of the Red Diamond was very dark. I had the flashlight but refused to use it and soon we were out along the river and it was clear sailing back to the van. I had been afraid it might take an hour but we made it in exactly 50 minutes. A car was just pulling out and there was still one more left after us.
June third we got a little adventurous. OK, don't blame Sadie. I don't think I'll take her over the head again OR that steep drop off Blue just before the quarry. We started out from the parking lot around the pavilion hill on Blue, crossed the bridge and up the steep climb to the rock ledge over Whitney Ave. Pat said Sadie just went down that steep drop but I had to coax her and carry her and almost fell with her. Then up the side of the quarry along with everyone else and their dogs. Very annoying. Down the other side was more peaceful and then left on the Tower Path to the tower. We took Blue back to the Red Triangle and went right. Down along the rocky stream where we took a left on Violet. That section of Violet is very tranquil in the setting sun. We went all the way down past the ruins to the rocks along the river, over the dam and back to the stairs along Mt Carmel Ave. Left on the park loop road and back to the van in 1:45.
On Saturday the 4th, Pat actually came with us. We started off of Chestnut on Green and I convinced her it wouldn't take long to go down the Yellow/Green crossover to Yellow and back. It didn't take long but she said that would be the last straying from our planned route. When we reached the Red Circle, she asked how far to the other Yellow/Green crossover. Of course I said "not far" but she knew and agreed. We got there in like 5 minutes and down to the Yellow. A brief stop at the lookout and then back home in just over an hour.
Sunday I did several chores around the house and Pat was working in her garden. So Sadie and I headed down the road to the Red Square. We took it up and over to Mansion, then back to the Horse Trail. The walk along the stone walls back there with the afternoon sun beaming through the trees was very enjoyable. I let Sadie stand in the stream while I sat on the bridge with the lowering sun bouncing off the water. We headed up the Red Circle and I helped a few guys figure out the best way back to the parking lot. We finished the Red Circle and got home in just over 2 hours.
Tonight we got a very late start. It was after 8 PM when we pulled into the parking lot and I parked at the start of the loop road on the left side. We headed up the Tower Path and got the rest of it that we hadn't done a few days earlier. Then we went down the Red Hexagon. I knew I was pushing it when I turned towards Tuttle but I wanted to touch the gate there to complete the Red Hexagon and start the Red Diamond. Even though it was getting quite dark, I let Sadie walk in the river and stand a drink for a moment. Then we headed back. The quarry was majestic in the final light of day but the next piece of the Red Diamond was very dark. I had the flashlight but refused to use it and soon we were out along the river and it was clear sailing back to the van. I had been afraid it might take an hour but we made it in exactly 50 minutes. A car was just pulling out and there was still one more left after us.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
MAY Never Be Repeated!
I accomplished what not long ago I would have considered unthinkable - all the trails on the Giant this month... TWICE!
I had 6 segments left last night after our Memorial Day party so I took Sadie up behind the house hoping to get 2 of them. But she was dragging even after I let her drink from the stream for a minute or so. So when I got to the Red Square, I reluctantly turned right towards Mt Carmel Ave and called home for a ride. I did walk over to the stream there and Sadie drank and stood in it for awhile. There's a promising "slide rock" section right there. I pretty much gave up on my quest, convincing myself that it wasn't necessary to complete all of them twice this month.
So tonight I started up the White trail from Chestnut around 6:40 PM. Pat had taken Sadie in the afternoon and Sadie was pooped. I was glad to hear she was staying home because the White is one of the worst for her. I took it all the way to the Red Triangle in a little under an hour. I had a very close encounter with a "colony" of vultures (I looked that up) along the cliffs. I could hear the sound of their wings as they took off maybe 15feet ahead on the other side of a bush so I ran around the bush to see what kind of birds they were. There were a couple others still waiting so I got to see them very close. I have to start taking a camera with me. There were maybe 6 more in the top of a dead tree just below and they took off with their buddies. A little farther down the trail, there they were again. The last one to leave turned and looked at me and seemed to be thinking "Why are we leaving? We have him outnumbered."
I went down the White to the Red Circle and then back up to the large rock with the panoramic view. Guess who was there? The vultures on the rock and the top of a dead tree. I convinced them they didn't have to fly this time as I turned into the woods.
I turned right on the Red Triangle and again on the Orange. Along the pine-needle section there was a young deer that ran off, but not as far as if Sadie had been with me. A little farther along I surprised another one but it just walked into the woods and turned its head to look at me. I quietly walked around behind it and down the trail. It was still watching and had been only about 20 feet from me the whole time the trail curved around it. I could still see its head turned to follow me as the trail went downhill so I waved goodbye and headed on down.
I took a left on the Red Circle because now I knew I could finish. That Orange section had taken 22 minutes and it was just around 8 PM. I took a right on the Green because that was all I needed. When I reached the Red Square, I kissed my hand and patted the red square marker. I got all 5 that I needed and finished them all. I headed back to my car on Green and the whole hike took exactly 1:40. I was done around 8:20 and the sky was much lighter than it had been at the end of several other hikes.
I think I may try something else next month after I finish all the trails. I want to find out where the unmarked ones go. See you next month!
I had 6 segments left last night after our Memorial Day party so I took Sadie up behind the house hoping to get 2 of them. But she was dragging even after I let her drink from the stream for a minute or so. So when I got to the Red Square, I reluctantly turned right towards Mt Carmel Ave and called home for a ride. I did walk over to the stream there and Sadie drank and stood in it for awhile. There's a promising "slide rock" section right there. I pretty much gave up on my quest, convincing myself that it wasn't necessary to complete all of them twice this month.
So tonight I started up the White trail from Chestnut around 6:40 PM. Pat had taken Sadie in the afternoon and Sadie was pooped. I was glad to hear she was staying home because the White is one of the worst for her. I took it all the way to the Red Triangle in a little under an hour. I had a very close encounter with a "colony" of vultures (I looked that up) along the cliffs. I could hear the sound of their wings as they took off maybe 15feet ahead on the other side of a bush so I ran around the bush to see what kind of birds they were. There were a couple others still waiting so I got to see them very close. I have to start taking a camera with me. There were maybe 6 more in the top of a dead tree just below and they took off with their buddies. A little farther down the trail, there they were again. The last one to leave turned and looked at me and seemed to be thinking "Why are we leaving? We have him outnumbered."
I went down the White to the Red Circle and then back up to the large rock with the panoramic view. Guess who was there? The vultures on the rock and the top of a dead tree. I convinced them they didn't have to fly this time as I turned into the woods.
I turned right on the Red Triangle and again on the Orange. Along the pine-needle section there was a young deer that ran off, but not as far as if Sadie had been with me. A little farther along I surprised another one but it just walked into the woods and turned its head to look at me. I quietly walked around behind it and down the trail. It was still watching and had been only about 20 feet from me the whole time the trail curved around it. I could still see its head turned to follow me as the trail went downhill so I waved goodbye and headed on down.
I took a left on the Red Circle because now I knew I could finish. That Orange section had taken 22 minutes and it was just around 8 PM. I took a right on the Green because that was all I needed. When I reached the Red Square, I kissed my hand and patted the red square marker. I got all 5 that I needed and finished them all. I headed back to my car on Green and the whole hike took exactly 1:40. I was done around 8:20 and the sky was much lighter than it had been at the end of several other hikes.
I think I may try something else next month after I finish all the trails. I want to find out where the unmarked ones go. See you next month!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Squeezing them in
I can only get the hikes in when the weather and my family commitments cooperate.
Tonight I parked in the main lot and walked along Mount Carmel Avenue to the bottom of the Red Hexagon. I had forgotten how far down it was but that was still the closest place I could part to the trail. It took 3 minutes to walk there and then I headed up in the waning light. It was 7:41 when I left the parking lot.
I passed a few people coming down on my way up. I got to the White trail pretty quickly but I wanted the full half of the Red Hexagon so I continued to where it meets the Blue trail to the left of the Tower Path in the woods.
There was a couple walking along the Blue trail toward the Tower Path and I turned around to get back to the White section over the Giant's shoulders. I followed them down the Tower Path but veered off and up the White trail. It was about 8 PM when I headed up and I was up on top in 10 minutes. I stopped about a minute to take in the view and enjoy the cool breeze. It had been a fairly warm sunny day but now the cool of the evening was a welcome relief.
I headed down the steep drop to the Red Triangle as a couple of guys headed down to my right. It was getting fairly dark now around 8:20. I headed up the Red Triangle to finish the piece down to Tuttle. The flashlight came in handy, not that I couldn't see the trail, but just to verify in a few spots which way the trail officially went.
I called Evan a little before I got to Tuttle and he picked me up after a brief wait under the only streetlight that I could see.
I think I can do the rest in 3 hikes. We'll see...
Tonight I parked in the main lot and walked along Mount Carmel Avenue to the bottom of the Red Hexagon. I had forgotten how far down it was but that was still the closest place I could part to the trail. It took 3 minutes to walk there and then I headed up in the waning light. It was 7:41 when I left the parking lot.
I passed a few people coming down on my way up. I got to the White trail pretty quickly but I wanted the full half of the Red Hexagon so I continued to where it meets the Blue trail to the left of the Tower Path in the woods.
There was a couple walking along the Blue trail toward the Tower Path and I turned around to get back to the White section over the Giant's shoulders. I followed them down the Tower Path but veered off and up the White trail. It was about 8 PM when I headed up and I was up on top in 10 minutes. I stopped about a minute to take in the view and enjoy the cool breeze. It had been a fairly warm sunny day but now the cool of the evening was a welcome relief.
I headed down the steep drop to the Red Triangle as a couple of guys headed down to my right. It was getting fairly dark now around 8:20. I headed up the Red Triangle to finish the piece down to Tuttle. The flashlight came in handy, not that I couldn't see the trail, but just to verify in a few spots which way the trail officially went.
I called Evan a little before I got to Tuttle and he picked me up after a brief wait under the only streetlight that I could see.
I think I can do the rest in 3 hikes. We'll see...
Monday, May 23, 2011
Going for it
Haven't kept up with the blog but I'm officially obsessed with hiking on the Giant. I have hiked 19 out of the 23 days so far. I have started keeping track of how long each segment takes and only have one segment left.
I tried to finish up the segment times tonight. I started a little after 7:20 up the Yellow trail. It had been raining and was still raining off and on lightly so it was kind of dark when I started. I was also the only car in the parking lot!
I made it to the Red Triangle in 12 minutes and was hoping to get the last segment of the White to my left. But I knew that it was getting darker and wetter by the minute and for once I showed restraint, sort of. I decided to just keep going up the Red Triangle to the Tower Path. But of course, I had to do the whole Tower Path so I turned right on Blue and followed the path to the tower. There I circled around the back of the tower but took the Blue back to the Tower Path to pick it up where I had started.
From there it was a nice walk in the rain and the dark with absolutely nobody around. When I reached the bottom, it was almost exactly one hour after I had started, and still light enough when out from under the trees to see well.
Next quest - can I finish all the trails twice in one month? Stay tuned...
I tried to finish up the segment times tonight. I started a little after 7:20 up the Yellow trail. It had been raining and was still raining off and on lightly so it was kind of dark when I started. I was also the only car in the parking lot!
I made it to the Red Triangle in 12 minutes and was hoping to get the last segment of the White to my left. But I knew that it was getting darker and wetter by the minute and for once I showed restraint, sort of. I decided to just keep going up the Red Triangle to the Tower Path. But of course, I had to do the whole Tower Path so I turned right on Blue and followed the path to the tower. There I circled around the back of the tower but took the Blue back to the Tower Path to pick it up where I had started.
From there it was a nice walk in the rain and the dark with absolutely nobody around. When I reached the bottom, it was almost exactly one hour after I had started, and still light enough when out from under the trees to see well.
Next quest - can I finish all the trails twice in one month? Stay tuned...
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