Monday, January 31, 2011

Hiking, Hiking, Hiking

Sun, Jan 30, 2011

We have done a lot of walking the past two days. I told you about Ryan Mtn. hike, then on Saturday morning we took the Lost Horse Mine hike which was a 6.2 mile loop over and around a small mountain. Lost Horse mine got its name when a man who was looking for a lost horse came across the mine and bought it. It was a very pretty hike and no body else was on the trail once we left the mine and stamp mill. We skirted the back of the mountain and then started down thru a small canyon. As we were making our way thru the rocks, I heard a noise right behind me, turned around to see what it was and screamed! It was another person almost on top of me! This caused John to turn and he, too, yelled out! Then we laughed. A young man was running the trail and came up on us very quietly and fast! He apologized and ran on. We saw him again in the parking lot where he was waiting for his buddies and playing a guitar. He was from New Hampshire and headed to the Naval Station in the Great Lakes for training camp. Nice kid! After lunch at Keyes View (overlooking Palm Springs) we hung out at the campground around a nice warm fire.

Sun, Jan 30, 2011

Sunday found us exploring several areas of the park -- the Desert Queen Mine (1 mile walk), Wall Street stamping mill (one of the riches gold producers ever -- 2 mile walk), Barker Dam (1 mile walk), Hidden Valley (1 mile loop), Ryan Ranch (1 mile walk) and Arch Rock (.3 mile walk). Around Hidden Valley there were a lot of rock climbers. This area is popular for training and recreational climbing. Many learn to climb here before tackling El Capitan in Yosemite N.P. All were easy walks but wore us out. The day was cool and very windy but with the sunshine it was comfortable. But the evening was miserable! The high winds and temperature in the low 40's drove us inside the RV all night.

Today we drove the short distance to Catherdral City where we will park while John goes skiing this weekend. Laundry, grocery shopping and visiting our friends rounded out the day.

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