jg and i were supposed to run a list of errands saturday but, because the weather was inordinately clear, we decided to go for a hike instead.
12:30
we picked the trail out of a book i borrowed from the library. it did a good job of describing the trail, from what to wear to hiking difficulty. at first we snickered at the fact that the trail got a moderate-to-strenuous rating. turned out to be no joke.
it was super windy. and cold. jg and i put on our hats before we got out of the car. the last time we hiked in wool caps we were in the tundra in the rockies.
off trail hiking
disturbing elk peace
gnome in the wind
turning inland and up
i took that picture shortly after this incident. i suppose my shadow did look like that of the tin man.
a calm spot for a picnic
view of tomales bay
we got our sandwich from perry's deli in inverness. it's just the standard turkey+cheese but the ingredients were superb: fresh and delicious. i would drive all the way back to point reyes for this sandwich.
lichens on granite
we did not stray far from the trail after the second mile. the ups and downs got pretty steep so i had to take a lot of breaks. jg was wearing brand new boots so he his feet were not happy.
land's end: tomales point!
the trail ended unceremoniously at a low cliff. but the view more than made up for it. it felt somewhat incredible to be standing there at the northern most tip of point reyes peninsula.
i mapped that using google pedometer. it's a pretty neat program. i like that it graphs the elevations as well as calculate the calories burned. not entirely useful, but fun. thanks, ray.
on the rush back we passed by herd upon herd of elk. we didn't see half as many on our way out.
posers
fighters
it was pretty neat to hear faint bugling. it was even neater to see them fight, especially when i thought rutting season was over.
jg drinking the last of my water
it got even colder after sunset. we made it back with just enough light. the sky remained magnificently clear. curiously, there were several people who were starting the hike. if we weren't so worn out, i would have tried to talk jg into staying for a while longer. i bet the stars would have been amazing.
