HIDDEN FALLS REGIONAL PARK 2X February 12, 2012

Wishing for more hiking, I left the Valley fog and headed east on Interstate 80. Finding a good dining op in Auburn, CA, I had a burger, with the eatery getting 4.5 stars by a Net review site. Good to do this before the hike, as I didn’t wish to come in with dirty pants, which I got from damp and muddy sections of trail.

The sun was out, and clouds were forming. I motored to Atwood Road, turning left from CA 49 north, and then it turns to Mt. Vernon Road. Making some turns to follow it, I finally came to the now signed Mears Road, with the park sign. Some other traffic was heading to the parking lot as well.

Making ready quickly, I noted the signs. They have detected Lyme disease in the ticks, here, so I had worn white pants, with light colored clothing, and wore my elastic LW bottoms to form a seal about my legs. Much less unsightly than tucking your socks over your pant cuffs. I had a light colored pack, also to see the pests better, should one or a few cling to the fabric, as I have carried ticks about without knowing it, one even getting on my bed!

My goal today was to see the other trails in this park. I began hiking at Noon. Taking the dirt road west, I soon came to the bridge, and walked a bit past to get to the next dirt road that would lead me north to the Seven Pools Loop, a 1.1 mile trail. I had seen other hikers with dogs, and the courtesy is to yield to horses, as well. I came to the start of the loop trail, and took it left (west). It has grasses that overgrow the trail, and it is impossible to get by them without scraping by. I kept an eye out for ticks, although it is said that they are so tiny that you cannot see them.

Hearing frogs croaking, I did an audio capture. I hiked now east along the creek on the trail, and came to the end of the dirt road. Near here, there was a rocky overlook of some slight cascades. Continuing on the loop, I passed by some more sights of cascades, then the trail loops back west to the dirt road where I had started. I climbed back south up the hill to another road junction, and took a dirt road east to the start of the Seven Pools Vista Trail.

This trail descends somewhat to a magnificent viewpoint. I stopped here and started with some photography and videos. You have the sight of a small canyon below you, with a succession of cascades going nicely. I made sure not to touch my packs and gear to the ground, even with rocks right there, not wishing to get my new pack dirty, or somehow pick up ticks. I used my small tripod to get some telephoto movie clips, but I seem to be unable to keep the shots rock steady.

Finished with this, I hiked back to the dirt road to take the Blue Oak Trail. This leads back to the main dirt road, then the big bridge. I then hiked the Poppy Trail, with a side trip to another cascade and pool, which leads past several closed sections to preserve the environment, by many signs. Back to my car at 3:10 p.m., I motored off, and headed back east to Auburn. I took Nevada Street back to the freeway, and then zoomed home on I-80 west.

So, hiking some 5 miles, I did roughly 700 feet of gain. I captured 256 images and movie clips (50.6 MB, 1:36, 720p HD) with my main camera, and several with my back-up. Spending $16 for lunch, I got some groceries using a coupon on my way home. The drive was 83 miles for me.

Never seeing any ticks or mosquitoes, I checked myself well, once home, as an infected insect bite can be very serious. I’ll be sure to check further for any signs of a bite, as Lyme disease is potentially fatal. I had to step off the trail into grasses where they like to cling, maybe a dozen times, as I had to yield to other users. There is a signed 6 foot leash law, which is insufficient to prevent an attack as one may pass a dog, with owner, on the narrow trail, as I have discovered on a city sidewalk. I gave all lots of room, as horses can be spooked, and riders mostly know to wear helmets. I saw one mountain biker.

This was a good time to do this hike, as the colder temperatures help ensure that the pests remain dormant. I doubt that I’ll come back here any time soon, as I have seen most of the trails, now, and it is too nerve-wracking for me with all of the users and subsequent hazards!

BACK TO PETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS HOME PAGE