23:52 Aug 13 2012
Times Read: 562
Went on another hike yesterday. I really want to make this a habit every Sunday, maybe even add a day in the middle of the week. I got an early start, 7AM (ok...early for me on a Sunday, anyway). There were only 6 other vehicles in the parking lot when I arrived, so everyone else must have thought it was pretty early, too.
The Conservation Center opened up another hiking trail, another Difficult rated trail, about 3 weeks ago. The sign said it was 1.5 miles. I thought Good, that’s just what I need; a short, fast, intense hike to start my day. I followed the markers to the head of the new trail and headed off. The trail was wide and easily marked. After the first bend it became a tunnel into the foliage. Very cool.
The tunnel took me up a short, steep ridge, then down, down, down fast into the valley. There were some 4-foot drops that I was very glad I was going down instead of up.
When I came out of the woods and into the valley I was impressed by the view. It was hard to believe I was 12 minutes from downtown Dallas.
I thought I had gone an awfully long way in one direction, but chalked it up to not being able to see the sky while in the thicket. Then I came to the pond. The sun still hadn’t come up over the ridge. I started at the top of the ridge and came down and around.
I remember this pond. It was halfway around the 5-mile Moderate/Difficult trail. The sign labeling the trail I was just on as “1.5 Miles, Difficult” failed to mention that it was 1.5 miles ONE WAY. Now I had to make a choice: 1.5 miles back the way I came, or 2.5 miles on a slightly easier trail.
I wimped out and took the longer, easier trail.
It wouldn’t be nearly as steep as the way I had just come down.
Yeah, I remember this trail.
I got to the point where the woods took on a sinister look and feel.
I wouldn’t have been surprised to come across a wolf asking what I had in my basket.
And once again, I somehow take a path that ends at a barbed wire fence. The path is fairly clearly trampled, so at least I’m not the only one taking this wrong turn.
I wonder if one of the guys cutting the trail did it as an April Fool’s Day prank.
So instead of a bracing 20 minute hike, I dragged myself out of the woods after 4 miles. I admit 4 miles may not be a lot, but this morning it felt like I had been kicked in the ankle by a mule.
COMMENTS
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Bellanova333
02:27 Aug 14 2012
Looks beautiful
Isis101
02:57 Aug 14 2012
This is awesome!
The photos and your insight made me feel like I was there...very nice! (Well - not the kicked by a mule feeling though - lol)
When you stated that you were only a mile or so from Dallas, it reminded me of a park within the town I just moved from...there was nature all around, including a pond. I met a doe and her lil' Bambi, but remained alert for the probable mountain lion, believe it or not! (The park was over a steep hill, almost in the middle of town)...!!!