Wildcat, LaSalle Canyons 04-26-2014

Today was Mega Hike day.  We had 3 mega hikes leave for 13.4 miles.  That puts me guiding the Take a Hike and Lunch.

9:30a.m. Mega Hike Departure

Once all 3 Mega Hikes left, I concentrated on getting all the lunches lined up for the Take a Hike and Lunch.

21 lunches ready to go

It started out being a sold out hike -21pp.  There was a group of 15 from out of town and they got lost enroute, so they didn't join us.  One party of 2 was missing.  I ended up hiking with 4 people.  What a great day!  Perfect actually.

Top of Wildcat

Wildcat Canyon Overlook

There is a hollowed out tree on the bluff trail and the regular guide Joe says that it is a great photos spot.  So we took advantage.

When we arrived at LaSalle Canyon it was time for lunch.  What a great waterfall.

LaSalle Canyon

Lower LaSalle Canyon

There were many people at LaSalle Canyon.  They just kept on coming. 

Lunch in LaSalle Canyon

Just about ready to leave

Mega hikers through the trees

 

It is after all Wildflower Weekend, so yes there were wildflowers.  Here are a few photos.

Pussy Toes

Jack in the Pulpit

Little bit of a bloom for the Wild Geranium

After leaving LaSalle Canyon our next stop was Wildcat Canyon.  Again lots of people in the canyon.  I took a photo of the overlook we were standing on when we first began the hike.

Overlook in Wildcat Canyon

On the way back to the Lodge we saw this Raccoon.  He or she was really close to the trail.  There was a couple ahead of us who walked right by it and didn't see it.  I have never seen a raccoon so close in the daytime while on the trails.  On the parking lot at night, Yes, but never on the trail during the day.  I must say, that is an awesome photo.

Back end of the Raccoon

In this above photo you can see how close the trail is to the tree with the raccoon.

Raccoon

Top of French

We were almost back to the Lodge and both parties wanted to get a group photo.  We had such a great hike.  

Group photo

Our hike was finished, so I thought I would welcome the Mega Hikers back from their long 13.4 mile hike.  Took a few photos later in the day.

Terry (front), Jim and Jack (back)

Terry has been working up to walking the Mega hike the last few years (ever since retiring from teaching.)  He finally earned his t-shirt.  Go Terry!  I knew you could do it!

Most of the 9:00a.m. Mega Hike  (Don't they look proud!)

Arnie leads the last Mega Hike group back to the Lodge

What a great day!  Perfect day to hike!  Glad I got to be a part of it.  

I will leave you with this: Wherever you may hike or walk, just put one foot in front of the other.  It's all about the experience not the destination.