Last minute preparations
pretty dang cold
bluebird skies
quick mostly flat hike up
big ol’ snow patch
flattened trees
lotsa’ wildflowers
keep going
through the canyon
dogleg right
wolf tracks
bugs in the horseshoe print
the meadow
Just checked out the new Patagonia site. Not sure how long it’s been looking like this, but I know it had been a long time coming. Nice to see some attention’s been given to the site, and I’m groovin’ on all the little UI tweaks and tricks. I’ll have to pick up a couple of these posters soon, and hopefully one of these bad boys from Point Blanks, which is run by Chouinard’s son Fletcher.
I’ve been a Patagonia fan-boy for years and years, hoarding catalogs and making photo collages from their contents. Their stuff has always been pretty pricey, which has led many to label them “Pata-Gucci”… However, I still own every article of clothing I’ve purchased from them over the last 20 years (that I haven’t outgrown), so I’m pretty confident in saying I’ve pulled my money’s worth from them. You mostly get what you pay for when it comes to outdoor gear, (there are exceptions, yadda, yadda…) but anyway, I just thought it was worth noting the upgraded site.
The plan had been to meet at 6, but when I showed up at the trailhead at quarter after, there wasn’t anyone waiting. Mark’s car was there though, and after waiting a bit, I headed up solo. Slightly overcast, but nice temps and everything had that post-rain glow thing happening. The weather has been so wonky the last couple days, but the way the rain makes everything smell and look when it’s over is worth the wetness sometimes. Started with a good pace – cruised up the first mile to the old trail and then off up to the right. Hit the first ledge and took some photos and fueled up, and then upward and onward to meet Mark at the upper ledge. A quick trail up the ridge pops you out slightly northwest of the first ledges, so the view was pretty cool, as we’d never been up there before. Back down, but this time staying right near the edge of the main ledge all the way back down the steeps until it crosses back up with the trail far below. Easy hike, good leg and lung stretcher.
