Thanksgiving Hike!

I suggested that we take my sister-in-law on a hike. Everyone was game, especially my husband. We chose the hike to the top of Bald Mountain. It had been a while since we had hiked, so I was really looking forward to it.

What I did not know, nor find out until we had driven down Dinkey Creek road and half way to the beginning of the trail, was the information describing the trail stated "not for the faint of heart!" Having company with us and not wanting to at all look "chicken" (I was scared to death) we started up the mountain.

The trail rose quickly and the heart pounded in strain...but that was good with me I am fit enough, but the trail narrowed in places with not much room for error and there in lies my fear. When the guide book said to tie a rope to any children you may take for the hike, I should have known that that included me. (I would suggest that if you take small children on this hike you do take a rope...that way if they slip you can pull them back to safety. Most of the sliding would not be but to a lower rock...we are not talking a cliff...but one could still get hurt in some steep areas).

Once to the top (5.50 miles round trip), you have a 360 degree view of...EVERYTHING! This picture does not give justice to the view of Shaver Lake behind us. It was absolutely breathtaking. You can also take a jeep, quads, or other off-road vehicles. Make sure to get your sticker for your vehicle from USFS or you could get fined. The hiking trail is half off-road vehicle road and half foot trail.

On the return of the trip the "downhill" sections were a little, well, scary for me. When you are coming down slopes with loose gravel...footing is very important. So how did I handle it all? Having brought gloves to protect my hands from possible cold they took on another purpose--I would sit and slide on my back side with gloves slowing my decent...sounds a bit weird and I made the others laugh, but it worked for me! ;)

Keep in mind that this did not seem near as scary for my fellow hikers...but I am as described "the faint at heart."