By the Light of the Silvery Moon

DAY NINETY EIGHT

With the full moon coming tomorrow, a night hike seemed appropriate. Especially since I worked all day and would not have a chance to get out any other time. Trying to figure out what trail to do was easy. I wanted a trail with a clear view to the East and one where the mountains would not block the moon. That left me with pretty much two choices: the Lykken-Museum Trail in Palm Springs or the (ugh) Mirage Trail aka Bump and Grind in Palm Desert. Since my time was limited, by default, it would have to be the B&G. I've made no secret of my disdain for this "trail" but tonight it seems like the best choice.

I drove straight over from work and got ready to join the crowds. I feel like putting a trail map on cars at this place telling people there are better trails around.

The sun has set but there is still plenty of light. It is pretty windy and clouds are hugging the top of Mount San Jacinto.

I am not ten minutes up the trail when I turn around notice the moon is already up. I know it always comes up a bit early before the full moon--which is tomorrow--but I didn't expect it to be up this early.

I didn't bring a flashlight because I figure I'll have ample light for my hike down.

I look over at the Palm Desert Cross and think I could have hiked there but the mountains probably would have obscured the moon coming up, like they do the sunrise.

I'm up toward the top of the trail as it starts to get dark and the lights are going on in the city.

I follow the trail down and by moonlight it really doesn't seem so bad. The glow of the moon sort of acts like lunar beer goggles.

Plus the view of the city below is magnificent.

My rudimentary photo skills cannot fully capture how well the trail is lit by just moonlight.

But I make it back to the car without mishap and without any source of light but this.

I really enjoy the peacefulness of a full moon hike and I think I'm going to try to do one every month. I think everyone should.

The Way You Look Tonight

Day Twenty Five

Today I had a choice.  I could wake up early and get a hike in before work or I could sleep in and wait until after work and hike in the dark.  Well, night time is the right time so I enjoyed my extra slumber this morning and took a little hike after dark.  

I've hiked at night many times but it usually was not be choice. Either environmental conditions called for it, i.e, climbing a mountain early in the morning when snow is consolidated, or I just finished later than hoped for.  This time it was purely by choice.

There are a few things I learned on this night hike that I'll use when I do more.

 

Oh good, the park is still open!

And the trail is open, too.  Sweet!

I learned you should do a hike you've done before when going night hiking.   I wander around a bit wondering if I'm off track.

I hit this sign and think I'm lost but I'm not.  It's just some more names of people I've never heard of.

I finally hit the actual trailhead and get on a real trail.

You've seen those beautiful night shots of city lights.  This is not one of them.  Another lesson learned.  When doing night photography, bring a tripod.  Maybe it would also help if I knew what I was doing.

This one is a little better.  Very little.

It might help if I had a destination in mind but I come to a fork in the trail and take it.

I've seen this before and maybe it'll be my next night destination.

The night hike was actually kinda fun and I look forward to doing another soon.  Maybe in two weeks when there's a FULL moon.  That's the last lesson I'll take from tonight.  If you're not hiking during a full moon, bring a BIG flashlight.

A Bear of a Day

Day Twenty Four

It is said that some days are better than others; today was one of the others.

Saturday is one of the only days I get to sleep in so, naturally, my wife woke me up early.  When I finally got back to sleep, one of my kids runs in and yells, "Dad, it's 7:55!!".  He then quickly realizes that it's Saturday and he's not late for school.  So he leaves and then proceeds to start a fight with his brother.

I had such great plans: either we would go up to Joshua Tree and visit some more Indian rock art sites or we'd head down to Borrego Springs and then up to Julian for some Apple Pie. Neither plan was realized.  That theme would continue throughout my entire day.

I placed a support call to Apple to get a replacement headset for my phone but I have to call back on Monday.  

Some electronics I was setting up never did work properly.

Today's outing wasn't a hike; it was an escape, a flight to freedom, a mental reset.  On days when nothing goes right, getting out in the wilderness allows me to think about nothing and set myself right.

Up the steps and into the Wilderness just minutes from home.

Following La Quinta's color coded trail signs I head up Bear Creek.

Desert Lavender and Chuparosa starting to blossom.

I move up this steep walled canyon doing a lot of boulder hopping, which I love.

More boulders

I get to a point in the canyon where I decided I have to go back.  I know there's a waterfall up there and wonder if it has any water but as much as I like boulder hopping, I don't like it in the dark.

Star light, star bright.

The lights are coming on in the city.

I leave the wilderness feeling much more at peace than when I entered it.  

I know I'm only supposed to only leave footprints in the wilderness but today I left all my worries back in that boulder-filled canyon. I head home feeling like I'm starting my day over again.