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View Full Version : Christmas Eve and New Years hikes



Prediction? Pain.
01-02-2018, 11:58 AM
First, the annual Christmas Eve hike. (It was actually on the eve of the eve of Christmas Eve this year, but whatever. The tradition continues, even if my days are a little off this time.)

It was ridiculously foggy at the top of the gorge that day, but it cleared up quite a bit down low. It was chilly and damp, and the water was flowing everywhere.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y9N3SELbLN8yLj8-mlxQLxVNthoOdFNqpDPKq2cosgpheFkYL9psXAXGe6vb3SOdno PN1LWytHs9Pg7wY-wha8VPuODL4gjW61gPEQ2Gq6oiXl7wayTNrkOS24EDodP_lRTg CKeo0JQnSgNf25ugBJWvoFgXIzuVzFsO9NqaIVEZlpoGyuHO9F 1-0q4hiwu2Y04LB0QSaIzh95DaiM0aux1oHZ8vWpncd_bhOAzqqo dEasdI-bQ8QTggjtdiY-ktLxT1l59Xy5v9GdzqXhd1ncROBaq6SEXPHahxRu7L5au8b703 Oq8a6BX1jzq8M8pNrwQJEpQWpnyXVRCKm48OX0j33kOL1Zu4ir oWgrta7_7OlGrFHvcpRHDM4xxQzm3r0Od7FF4EMSkBILab1Q5b GiXNQoAmuC58kBOS_B1LPGVu6kaJ4EzPAavWMf3G0VQ92lUb7D ZZWWYyLe9NaH2RQWhm0zrjuut9izBjSI6XruZ_8bxT0YsTam5e speo-R9bXEcikh3PMgZ2G4YOaEnunyrAtpw1rUa73GWIwTuL94GUwN7 FanEum1ffk_0CpjqHX9sCGh-CbNMF7f2kPVKFUu4Msc8noyLkYGBN8Q5HmnkxyDihV8MJkyOID S-XFcO8rXGbPTvfyflg9L6GDeNGqIjGAwBLgdw3HQ=w712-h949-no

This was a tight squeeze:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pV24mLdONUFVlUHuRWwlWgr0uCSH8Ghrq5nRPZpZkeAmVn11_p umbhToTaZLvU9Hx6Uu9B1rq2hjiVb-jIOxDgDvARtyoZfn0LnWSyQMnhR10AbaB3UQRDPGzpIeGpJQU2 9NyGeAk5rX2m5MHSx5gOrQutir6nPZKxd2P0iJEJWci1B5QQ_o RNz0_8zIcFPS4Jjh7AlmQ4i554uHHG5oYpvyJwVMoZzulOjcph ZvfHVck8tiwgisZyX9QAVHhxgATOhBzipWQdlU-JHUDOZsCgmkMqq5fm0_1vRoZESqEH8UUZ9C6iQDROT9pI6ciLB PsU8UPtjb2ES2qLjMgDmZYXSydYZz0UrNQuAsfnQ2F6u5boJWm ezG_QMmn0csyDQTvINnhj0HIj4taptUB5hb7buiLegfpDXX610 XFokrsV0ehjeRKPw81mgZwEOiATQwwQySrYEcz6mBQGMAlhwpG bU3fV4_7nsPtvATlmZgQ3FyMIU_LfMJYhKocE39V-2KlCPvS84fZ8qzUXJRRON-i7pVhKZRLp42zBjtPr4g2Lg-39cKjlUBzlxmSDtBRt_DIXBSt8dy6wpFbJYlNbpUDWmYGOUkCF qjrRHWCb2OWDIPMbD9YCBRLl6UH5I1vPd9McvSGv-dATaprWjc4undqmios1omh-z_7A=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kwLL5w7qQvfuWahj8Gvb055qBcU8SgHY8DcFOaXc1wF-NDPCvA8pQCDZ8BPZveiVrhu4IWimGoti_Yhr6q4uBCJnj2qJdw HNxHFRC2BKK_0wSNVuQ2qns3GW6qZoxN52ef8Xu24iAsSwnoVK _e-hlMK2D0Y-Uy93qzDMzZPYHrJJYhUaoAibG57RUvWxOjTazY3XPOJR0Utia1 2U5yghSNqTgE72UNOumS6xC80bZbZQQ6iuqTRXOjBXkMS01qvP ci_AFAEoWLlPjlSI8Z10PWg0kmbWG_-aIE5Ee3zLmqNcl9GPFR79gMT0HYN5R9QUO2DAMtx2xYYOsFrUI 5-0UnR8OAaZzvcRzNrbFEp7Z6BojO_9KBocj6CKPX3Ruq4K1sE4A AwVCSfFFi7VrqgA6BgblJ-PSZKAJEa2PXdvDrMORo7zENLMxJLaesjAHDuWX9ozXCJVKIZce KATc3VdHVscOKbT8ATrxKdIlb1dSHJQnCBbKh6kXGnub8Lhcd_ UctTyP5GSLJTVfFdblf8bPD5bJh-pM7bUBbVa0UerXkFSPlM8G-wPp7xM7qwSw2ObtafzHFXaFibq43cmAF54U4eARRVEkbvgU9gT Ikz0v9C9kCB8A_CkKIiSjnO4FtyFczq0nyW7UsUyUC0Pkw1IQQ TJUOmizgSWdQ=w712-h949-no

Looking down and up the creek from a swinging bridge:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yx4OJMVZLcd8wDgS3F5g5Pl1cY1Aw3YEV_uQJPzqqXhUg_0A0_ mWECocETJ3_0yJo7whkQEZeZPHbJAJFCIeKDIGhKFXCTMormAQ-IuliZcpXZyP6pqUyAy89Vy7Ep4q2WYAZ5M-OUEzhebxX3UZ3hR3nSZznkqGoWqxsYu7Lq12EkOyq0TrU2pwok Mv4iadCQG-c8tRx2Lenvt6pBm5fDUN0EBSjf81yjmkhadDLXDbNQdOjYN-TBm01G6-suwGwTIk_O8Zog5YouPXvqr2bNaKj5s11JbuVQYVuMyUxjFeZm riedD_7IJb_9UV_A6oZZEEvl-tWExbtUJZtGPK8RHuIjkHAx4cU1-zSV3awZpe-8wthl4cMqlvfPhWaL89B2dal79Pucy5cC5eM64TvnSlJ2vniJS e7a_LY3oEWTkFFvGbDNgk9Ys63qCnoJp2bOHz6nDUvSPSyBKvT rDu2rXhWjV_SRd9Vxh4OWnMlpo_m2TFmfHdmx3ZX-eQo-Se_94C9IsUCnXJT9VuXFbu6q-TaMXKli-RUR_JVMqdWkNq-lhj8RXP7byK1mBIAzd_8FbTHNjofABLBxndMCe31AJe0Xn2gMP EKRKyyMPM7rTebj2wSSAbS5d7SPQT96_n3psiglATK7Pd8EV56 idjXrqLfcUwy-oBMg=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o_IQ5PqgTQ-YZoMb3Loe6WXaskQy9rDjMbyZcjxNOKZ0Azx9maBq0_bewJYCb dAprboYZ5hYEWvdhdIg4cI8Knxx1-fYS-Qn0bcIyfQMPTZwnHVRY5LOH1XDL7RGXC7i2dEKe9Ess5gcDTLZ 8Zfykly9sLfGKK1cyrWfG2hpXJctvGkuu7fd1Ism8ZRehnyWuk edPYUjHT2jVbO3sDobRD35whXK34HpXeyWoLvYCDu5QI-0XGjlmi4HHOIBkVGZKXw7qgwOthCLjv2mMuuSpo20Q6gbU3d--LYVsJ2FGjbJjwQNbN1_bgsJ8SeBV_nGtWJtNFb21b0uxgqU-HfBh3SodKScBq7D013IuDAU_qsNmmwQSi_REP1R56DrZKL8Zzc C136cmEV0sD8--MeBZy5XtZGEulLR0H76y8OEAr4TLO5TtqlzdvAxWLfgYXv2wFQ CCvI0c6hVEuwl0ZoaqEXwG4cM9ULOoieTqs7B5ZZ0SfVPE7gdz QihtdkCxKPv_VMOaoMcNdGCziYHQVgg515DNaynb4SUYbxjI9e UqDVPNgDO-cyBaZP-xhlLqcXSEWZoLkPtX1d6Ze3pOOJxsSiN4rzLOHaT8DzSFUQ3Gt NZu_F80tPOd6vPIB_GmkSzH9rh1xtj_5Ku_TgAyBx6QePHaMI_ ykpS7g=w712-h949-no

A few minutes after crossing the bridge and hopping over a small, wet-weather feeder creek, I heard some water splashing a ways off trail. About 20 minutes later at a different place on the trail, I heard the same sound again. It's always a wise move to follow your ears:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C0nzIDD0c71NKqXJixWCDbEuAkgpFG4nId6tztA7idQ_n5Jyji EE9h6Sgn_yjel9LT5YQEr1rV_AVEsrSMgiyqY2ZmfIrF8t89q0 amNnUvQbUVZiIGK8nQZ73ijoetD2LdRJBc4jYNefQku7EkNUw4 RXx2WVSZTJ56bm0ApMqikuFAVAnQ8GbVGvRi6_VRbLhMrQ24QE VsBOpQTUPD94mX-LZpsulKNZtFMN6H9HlQYVLva-nmY3miz4TsqrYqI3GvnQ7zhGqWdPUlPBHdI0XDHhZ05gqYxbZI CqhJUIEdKhMdNbLYggsFqJm_7k-D7Oztkcr5Tni0RBmY9Ye2qSoGrEW9LvnYAPLX5wd6_Kc7PGX4B eZZOQOqLJQoXuZfHvW77dJpa6upyza75ekXGoR0GtsAbRcD3dj ncbSulp0btXsID2SKoO3LYmtGB9lyQvppO7p5xlHRxYq38OyzV JBJ0mL1LWJ_Pxqr45B5ci6c9404k9DJsHJApoRC17ZlPG5_voW NCHlmbY-zIokP17Yk-F9PtR5SFWq--jxzipN84nJdo_FibsLxXLVcuCgsoERlfWsUYCyoRRDsYwEHjqj plASxuRgxmwE2CkRvRlhC35AKNF5sidM39_d-zPIkIun-cqdV8wxAIxDHtoM26TBfXjhj_ru7Op2w=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dBj02bSOEL8kFy_BDGO_2tmvi4GHMgCm8DIVXa4INCVxg9y-8MK0OPY83NBNOWCyk3mLmguBCqeQG5Fa5eqjyBYUMpgyv6nqc2 JWzIh5TI3hP4ThRgN85ywz3pklLZQOewcFbQJnrPbuaUxHsOeH kOLyNfuYoO3EFr4yOMsrzGquClfRK1CUDqczwHf_mRXQCjaUPS G6SmTkkCb6FfoKj3Ke52g4kwz6xPbw-Nuux5ywqDXOgPlCyX6uJWGCniY9jOu8fY-JhnjeO861AMqglIYt8Oxu4qHM9HoznQbOcBjkq5DNU7QbkYEkA JFHprva0wQT9dJY3SAJt9Ckw_2CyHvGN3aacepaPQzQWJn4Ejc 3PqlWMC95WmXEpeDN3eV2oK_k5XNruReJQHpRP-bTbNRQ5967IDXX1SVf-0aQFmx2MgQX-X8kD4OYrGg71F_Ell_8GWFD94lozRDsjGygPKvec6T0XEeRR7t 7vRwCbSlDVcLwdPEYyAq8JpzCFf_6Lh8rrdjs2sDb8wkxU1tmZ zPtnCu54_tUZO5TGQgHeP6CrlHYx768t4t6ryYZ1pA0PltWR-Df-4Q7sItngr3UBIoFkBaDEVY-jEP2w5fyewx9yy9HNNrNOMFpwsGjQnkjdhDQMTt1IWN3w3ZeZM IURRWgK5DTwz4lfw=w1266-h949-no

The second of two great swinging bridges on this trail:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TSh_WJVoKyojTBHEdO_gGPsEY4HznKap4pfZdUDZ21WDV2Mv56 tHFh4NgmCCNJA4aFad05rTL5DRcfJZ-_AT4rq2f3-TVlViT1knwc3azTjyQHDsaL8GlodKqszfkzem669Z5nOGdSOi-cNfgxiVlxJcC7z9G0HLynk2MFKCDn8jp6yEvSK92ebK2TUINt5 qlwHGXTFZp9xCsQ3PJlXzo2MNbQr5F2lbiGrZyAIc-1npGbfZzy3sPW8k_X1h8LYdBXIc9Sb3K8QABIAd8ydOM7y5uJR Nr1_1AqYPB_J9SwuTczvLNcj9vx6IrSKOvl89kWZQCkEUfSKBH iW5jGzHWPEYICyGEuc47845WGPLOiyqiH0A0ZQmcwC7KoQfW1B P1bCuqB9lBGV-CL-UCd4Aabh75g-b3HT3GapWVe5tRqWwfud9toO4Q9OAMiulvv5sYjF-RCtR3YiJ71HnvV5ub5WmHrmMqSqknrS0tAGmS_itR9EsYWyVMA tl59N4fF6RO7uccp7nE8e2AaC7IUNNdZuZQMPZf7pPMLMeHIYX QPsVmuLdigb-ksGsBxNaFpi3MckRWqO9GsKSh2YlN2IUZv5BVSDXumoAEujs8V fKDBb2J4l1d7tr4FsIrzb-h6XUaASM0y5Mbr0h8K4OKCceNq6eq2R2g38Gpw=w712-h949-no

And the obligatory "Merry Christmas" American holly pic:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H15kFsqhFN9YER0kCMA5e70P_NX4ba2N02IuXRkLjcJqfH-A1qR3Hn2Xrg8PKbB4m26jZsodAOLr2HyHACV_tqFgYjfwO2ubY S3RVeUjas_oG6W6XB70s2aBK2aATcoLhKo0Q9kcHsAdT3imEoq SgiCCeOOYUUtDAuhZu4bmywjjrljtcRQDJybsfs0Q9tYm1my2u P1w_6z_12fyTFQ7zwHsHm899XduseGNKHZfw-hlW5rCXl6PKVnLr5549TIW5OYHGmoTDB8XpRQtxeRcpbISKXJQ hRCdCZGa_g3FeI6-fobmmHsM3MS1wOo4gsBdJggcxPdGDNg45o5c5kMKHPdW4rmJ51 xDWPKmxrENlbGDg5Ygk-4BZYZnv9PzDMCw2TgV5Sfot3NSBr8NQzMPmcgSsFFn79K6Z80D RdFdHQnBM_zq7nr7d0pzModySAo6fQzpx0JRPuza5RDc_17yIn-Ocl96RJAHQF9p049zQ-58f1HTBG-JwABp8S69OfHJC7I-7c0KdW0xreyqAZNuMdgBOpDbxqWR6zHCv-0EP0CubH1UYkxNnMmd1EHQdasTGiOpXmiWQB8pKy_mYYJOWRA3 5ebwKK-C30KOCTphONhZ0f9UidULW88rK3J3d_dBs-K6kgfEpYD_lB6jOVfzVDTHovug77w1Jg=w712-h949-no

Prediction? Pain.
01-02-2018, 12:29 PM
Now the New Year's Day hike. Same small trail system as the Christmas Eve hike, but I explored different areas this time. Lots of this is off trail.

Oh, and it was colder than balls. It was around 20 at the trail head at the top of the gorge, but I'm guessing it was closer to 15 or so down by the creek. And lord knows what the wind chill was. When I was done, there were chunks of ice in my beard.

Huge rock formation as the trail descends into the gorge:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zVJur2jMsGYJhSZG7hGSikpWaRrbBNcVVLA44XDhy2njHaFS4j Cd4BPVaqfveaFjaEr_sbbAhyT1tqBHmTN8ZcBm8NlK-t7sGSLtl5LOkjBYqqzY_9Lt4H4OLy9L4aHrEOIGnjhS7xt6ZD6 1DijaCsFtUOctvlMt5YscIyV5Zdzw9Mxd8-IcjZKv8UCtJXyk-vOMPSQIWOIW9c9kme3kV5UCr0K4-YHiMhrxnX5dBUovwwIYdJJl-12PDiansWxLhj-icAqttS9pvYE8lPBCsB8lJPR8_ZDo5PYlVOSip9DjKsgiLZ2pD JVMZYUi0D1Qr2zOo5AiVwhGKtHbJkzhj_-SDKggfpsajIFKBRr2jhw10toilF8c1eSxJ3gZ0PQRfZOs-6O9dYUMMgtUBWqZlus0IEnbGiWWFYjJ5j_h5CVDwY3ibYKH9qq It2F-21qIahvwW4jqejauuK_DhTyCEo2TrSDV4YhG28D-SFR7xygx6o53_HLXFzF0dHGwiy0fOWFFS8w2K0-1e0vWjKKfzrc3PjauKqRSJxwjnprGQ0pK20w2pu1z2C6fcGhgH 0mVqY1Kh9qHR0m6f2t8bYL5TS2uy6kpXIsSYBruJ6mWtI38oW5 85Myh2NZh_Rak-h6dHFGkD6AvVSoRTIbvf954w_7e-rd073mdCg=w712-h949-no

When temperatures approach and descend below freezing, Rhododendron leaves droop and eventually curl up. (I actually use the ones in our yard as rough thermometers. If the leaves are down, I'm going to need a coat.) Well, this day the rhododendron leaves were like freaking cigars:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NWw9Ngpk554ShbWSCivwwZfA57zgHF87l7wCLyNkvMyiwQ0jj0 hnC7OSomfT4cJPutAoNo2HeaspBkGVdTT47Z07K69KCYCi_moV N6hUZtRPVD4YlbK1mLJPNkEwgnPUJVrIZsamOlpnATtF87cW99 10xjvT3yQgTa5BoW0LTmxuHRYMTNIUtL2UuSFZnwqY7OILQAqq Z8Nd3Y0zL3vtD6IexANUvH41LFg2nqzO8n4QGrpal3MKylDBHc RmnhQYQeeGiId1ASoUJXDGBvCWzvwtY5cPmMTQy0hjZf7sjJYa oHrBsaIXcNON-OOxwre_BUlDGIK3ewl-Pnoln7qAUqUD9aE9dupp0BEKVgRinOYTGxFEsYJA5YTwcPMbyb LvvvmTnnyAffOuwymzGgFGtPs7yKIVae1yNjWauiHiVeotwK71 bRR49Yqm_0S0b3FyN-V2WRE54yXFgwHgYCjw3VK0aI_XWIekXPNqHfsNU6vYlW2b7qQD l4p2IE_iduprQFfJmLELSnhW7Eh9kHbt6qCkptgonrWDZyG3cn B962pv_oER2-z9_b0EGIj8CYrIqRthrPp9orswcSECZJKU8quIx9YWyZDoMI03 _fFHjk1BSxFfwhmBAaiqCAON8CnlybLdVY2XWWGslgQ4Yknx4x 0RFe-l36Y8ig=w712-h949-no

The temps last night hit single digits on the mountain (it was around 15 when I drove to work this morning), so I bet this stream is even more icy today:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wXbCIedkAg-5rj0oXLdWc0b_VbX8H3eXuo1BHI0onhZIwhqAd_Ei37ITiQye3 mKFxyEPGgipGD0tCvAoAwaybwW4zDq49aCJHh7uwc90JDhiqth eq1td6dlxC83vVMBy3nc9MxQe_LRrrkRWxj8TvP7WaT9V34wDv iYzFuNa6h--5_P5jx4kMaKCFCJ6q5nYplMlOwuyJ9hyIoaWn4a8T5BjNsh8Dx hYJrRITGXO9ECpEOV7U7XP-kyJBbRqqjqVv3_hPJBbXyT3NFO8tT2naNrDY4I9PZ51H_cQ6oO ApFBqTP0es-ki3-kPbDLZVmvZbHm5aRDsq2eQFz-vnSw0-o2_KYxYrgw28qpBLuf9Y29uedRANQKp9DgR6tZ59tX2id3o90t QQIjVZcFDzXpQnIWpawVanec9cDs7T4BXyUfwUnQAefrmTNTK2 BMXNlje70X7V7mbbhWyz5CvnsnPovSkTlj2dMvrZtrbf7cuQzV m4oOqo9uTdA61F7ZXbQYooIPpQtfjh4Qrz36V6hkRnfjGHepOg E7kfqcGQNLOeJEAD-Dhz8yx0H62IIBvO5hij0U6RTeEJ5NCLPNvpJkaHCWHUpLwKAoo xHpwMAwUxCmi3uJ_rUWph0OpLLkZlCjTUyI9kRWlioMYzw8Grh x9Gg_TQoHJX5LHpw=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d26egP793QhxNDYRYklTg7CPMnh_eTObk2h0dtpVJQtjziucBk wQb2Jk0WhQolZgaJm19rulDGp9_4nwIEk3IiZB2Fu6Pxxq-zJ1qr0tlUCcKkAl_gC8gzEk1f_OcZ9bl6UlPo2l5PrtRREUA2w BHrwOWuvQpe8BnHJmTfryQG1y-9G90_mHUjs6nq9WJBv6tSQLEjsFVVDaN5Z1aagLju1sXVPv3aV iTxrqvBb17NqSrl5D8iIQO2lN49TeQVRxe8t6tNx3oqQXI5pzj R1qEA6LJSb2Uadj29e1EmWLDJTbIfMhR-ygQNaDnUu76rEozbT6GMmD4ckZZEGGAQ-YwkvCZRiUyJYndoFoliEwVK68IzlWfhTD5QaZLvfec6Yoxbr31 BwChNpB2-G5B_EMxB29LXV1In4FpQwfOFlnR4xWa7TK6lSGvH3ZDomHGpEw K9jLqHyDVEqWxgEBtgwmJUNfx43ppJ-yR_H2lwpkHJHZjc_nnpNW3RmZau6nN5fTYvhVy9pIabM8CX-z2OAFWQRlojLlmZrv13aKGum2OUeF8mvEuDZnG9fzdLvRKXU1k xNSLp0Rf3AJw2x3tdNSjUkzFDguaNyIGWY7IsEtO53JAq_tFAw QNC_wsbmQPGogkw4615iig5xDWllDWINTP-J4T7wE947EZw=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xyLPey6Xxls3DS8H_n8ETxPWFGe5OjMTVds9ksTmMXWWGAWxkB WXwZBaE-H6PrzY-5D3DLJsDiPSf2RrcA149F3BbRs4CYnD0xu2eVXARrNSQxRjEj6 ajHkwoWBRXz6hYLIT7-UEIKC66ZI2c2DltQ_3jh8CXp9I3Si2XirCDiUajOEq7huMj_7d JUHnVxOnE4vzXjNhDLbIBMCzGs9VtJ66DKQdLl6EX1OGsWerAg J-FI6ta4ZP8P_qkVyu5P9mAoC9fuYuXFetQFvgq1zAPU5PTgbwok F7qER4bdNJWhcGsM_5rn5NoXWl9GD29wJpGjbLeZk1xf4Lx4wE 6WOfKuz8e2qqrXXry6gZ20QuXnPsMHdv8Ti2q8a9-dEayjeNLM9Vn5WC7kOpDzVu8tfwsVBMRYav5rvpiPO02Ktd37F jZj8dQ8zkmYqx7SnTkEwJdDCyvqRVLUVKVGzOQRY77qB3WnCiI-bpSvpuX8qFK-COVO6Nhhctw8qNBkQhBGOXGS-kpHDlrPFuCSoWJGepvzr31sBcWaW_0byGvz7RjEXaOIda-rT2Pnw2hkAKW3CPnJXvcgNs3KhDaqb74p9uYxorLMDpTR9CFxG XEd3GWLPINo9ACyybB6d-0TVmgetI4YOtHXKVsQRvJX9Ka4kxHE8XM11RK1k7YA=w712-h949-no

At one point while I was back on the trail, I saw a bunch of ice up toward a rock face near the top of the gorge, so I scrambled up to take a look. Not only was there a bunch of ice, but I found a cave, too. Panorama followed by close ups of the scene:

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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n5zpPQm5MpJ-YJhc8lbBNOZzt2ZrrnvSFqqWWAVomLOv7wdCzA-SE7hlZAd1GETfFWYFRmKCO57mGPWgMehJc-cDnjdRO28jGgvzLn19im-fx-r6L_usMrlXR4ewm0i8UEe4fJlISvBWYUqnarKNZAdj0dxMU0w1 OyMY8q-YXIEO7LHaiXmh_M5zMtNEfWhsH2GY8qwq1OMBiQQBHlKv5Fl74 uZ5Jk3Lbkw3wlj2xRwerryOmXcW49wFoFJBklCkh9X_1Y9TkrD aX4OhqGKnD_UIePXS8WwyP-NZMlFh9Q7lG3c8DE1_lfJPtcti9SouA8c9jC9BnOx-_iZV3Q0KhT-Ketkv8ufraBicRdGLWQQohYW0dLV4NWdtQxSOEb3SFMCeBpghR dZtFQGaPJfXeIZVVtqHjnpc6bbmNfSygdq08Bb_2DLT9ufPIG4 i3JDzmL-sha_FYldYGkYUnUTwhQRVmNfavKgBDlBJfrVEpjOtADT_nne3d l3isGM8-SKL6_-aME_Sjl9ZXc-iq2XnFFVA-vy1xs_8P-iy7CHNdyZTrtUMb7bkTk7yiN5XDaRmdYaaoQ-Lfq17MIKND-wDIYCmjvk6IZGCjjDIvIKCmATI332rXb1A035EYL3ZgK1Pme7a _bQt0gaIDBNSd1_s7VeSWMGh1aCGNg=w1266-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vfNXrDrUlXh9MSdzbXlmDWhNns5DtIE3oBMpQIEE7r1JGl6k9u BI_8Yt2zfCbJ3afPcgDaBs0UVvk1pv-sowPi7J_qD0Yg18ftAPmQhLcJT_eoQIfF2V9YhaPlBNy4OVlCi y4wMSoA3S3xpFqeh7Y29uDnlJXOPTxGOWINf2JQngn4Xn2mW1i 4SZrIvthMp2srjTDh--TtjuA-LtqKRHuF2NhTS9DPBSvKKQQQ4_UgrIapbEhmG04Go8xj4PeGeJ mlpSjBM-HBt-ifVo3uiGcqJ27gI9No6uRgcCJsgzVHL3V17bNhwW8KgcqAZ0p6 BQFXIKHhKHV6fcBMplKj7j8rZoY7hTvTLoSNIHRHF7sEgoExMJ 0qfVa8VnIUhIdRNnJ0ShMD1PSpVznHuTH_ulrGmQjvTeq4f4xQ 4kDpebX5y7eQKfj5z5rUFggvNmhra1giwzCSVDLEybM_Nej8-mI1mp_kdbmJKDhDpSLKU5X5ND1VM4kMgW6iqywEQ78zZlJWZAn pSGs9EDOy-5UQJIn_UEpIenxS9bvhtYJ2Qtje1nyz9A1lHNKRXhHc0HDJyTb N_3fvIH17TEuZETA8g2H6M1_gItRCYUjrv0M8d0rc5o-7ZIHMJnb-NOX9JyUflcUGMKvoZVPYIV_BudomW7yKEgX5SH7wBHwg=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gjBood5KgOVUKIMbR5h7_6_RqK30_5CDq0jpavhdpLHCQb9M-R8MGNggCyuXlRmjNmDcjEZ8NabcxQq0Pygg31iW1Z-Yo_pdN4JpoR9RjitZNNHWaVSkw8NJB43Y1g7UFKItnWpT93onu 12bnb9lNE5JINqvhI8w3h2dB3x4rn7dPYmP9S5pkUZSdp8Fg4L MnH5X3TIgGxLDjlER5ETkZI1VG7jeZAXE3abvTXvynVlat457e m3BTsltVqUwA-I9z4a4QqGyKXe9z8WAc6_xu-HWslie1hKKGYc2RHA2ImDVnCusmmk8FlOjWo5JfV-zud7P5OmVAIBAoAf2GyE_a_oq5byWV0vU-wMVXIF1SldKKbgFxAZqV8vTLkW-rssSwdVAQpjEFe0C5hwhCteXZEIZqvrwO88UGA26hPH63dEX6m PSKNC4pExtjBlNgZe_3N6xZT_hZGL4ubX1-3hjk_BcEOOGh6-9xwd62mlyRcjiNfZ9VK3eqUhq5cfeQTgB0PAKKZslCXFaKAxGt j-lAcfF-0JjsoEaRDgpwc28jmnS1a-gLCGrpBL-ZYSPi4gcaFcTfi_i2wrtFZRYL4AqlIDkEnyck_jKROjHYeHyKX BEYmb8xBWzg9UQUw64QfgsEpXumfwAXFWdpQUyWi5M4YoLqPnR 1_57Lg=w712-h950-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vmAIAnVt1Yi5iiCWs_vnf28zSd204-yNeelIvx2jTtcUk6pSjVEp-cVXORLlK5ejwYJLZ1E0PugfmpbSV3LaIIv3hEkXnEdpnU47Wjp 0qztUUNh9xyyoYngqR47gZMRe_4VDZ1aRcVSE-WOTHjpG1tC4BbEY8R2LtXQtn8JeYAjDsgowQFzDAkixkoa3s_m DFBYlv0seHbwe4Jjqkd2i38vf3L7cnh9wxqUJCiB5Da-mahi_uw0-fINzf7hOGOokEjfovdrc5_tQpHWA_CkBEMB7CrIY8SFJiEhu8i hdCytSJlzB0XLTt6fL6QrRexFpU-s2ZNESWwZlVy3bGWFvONPkMrckZVKUwHG9d9_KwTcyfKxSP97C 0oO-yyIkwOMZkobyu61SXSjyvHd2JHDUFnDDx9h_d_rtq8zRMl4vqA m4hfQWBmCFpvXGl8GmYtJ8T_cOj-Q6XCESbZodN3MpFShWEsGLNXg3MC42rI0yJAAvM0FBf-Z80Aw37Z7yKi5cYp2meLl0rt44ySEfwvS5aVe1erlxeug82CX4 jQrdOvkOYtIF6u4c4kWDTBHBmleTOg58JZAZ6WnKlkEGOoEb_U AXWfa9Ha_ch0McFs-QE8u4yClChvseuYvrhn-FVMRkw5-_CM4ajQNefrfWFls154Fk8tGkT1CLlA=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sXCC_W0GPTmTq0KOFBgCGYTFiEUmg_M8KfHZsfBFpEZ6HFquWa hD_cB45Pfc0ByGgFu9mBecypGGeorlkongSh6qARYcoEMdSjq_ 7iryH3UVH0eP4k-x6v-Qt1mxRvShPSuFIZ64xViixZmdUzwx0KdTxF6SB2Ak8wo7qe5Ag Zny_iijBNLtK_etnb5juAfap2Vz1i53BG7pq8Wl3veoTiRgjav YbAK71oIeKiVBPvaSCI_O0se8kUVq0msImlWN-_P9KU-8-o0JpSVwE-Zl7Z0KoZwKlJPV_6rrPyWLDy0liM5R5KjYSpr2jQqcN0k8XAtz B0OCqy4eNwCsqiNNrsmRLyQKSLdUnydhDiA2zj53l8wrpVFFk8 2o0lmNTvu-HjLopeLOkV42C3KxYVfTW7jdS7bhXoD65_8aSBbkLrNWlgNZSG ekLbgTWFTvmg5SAHg709gM87M0jVqUo7iWzDHVmH9qfLYZmAqD ldL5CELygS4ekKS_NYB7fAbVyKrYwz7cky3Q_Hdmm8Km8vTD0t A6xGaBF6Adzy-aEdyHMaq6OkR4qZDWOyzXz4aIYIC-63fwqvswkkwNhOgWP1vK7yQza6h-Gay6ZcaQJVyTm76-3VZebLh2AtC3Nby2O8hOWvbuArXtfA8nrGg9B4ozjgFz0qOOLV zZjA=w712-h949-no

Woops, about to exceed the pic limit. I'll post the last few from the New Year's hike separately.

Prediction? Pain.
01-02-2018, 12:34 PM
Near the spot with the cave was another huge wall of ice. And next to it was a cool hole in the rocks that came damn close to forming an arch:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EWxgoF1medk28MBfCX865buwT0M9L2k7hbVnN-j7uCCqQJMhJRp-9iXUycymA-UUZ7MQSfB13esTRC5xbDixSQDcDjlUf3Qs_8kd-wCyhS4Wg977ZTqKzfZSpOyw6MPSiU3ftJ43dc9z3vCbf1LRspn ZB0Ld5f47xIB5KZntpC1Tn-s0y4WW77Xa2IcGvOSbRzn0fE2Z6_a4U7W3DRJ3jihjyQgQGgjB z-N_0rjnMB7O82Uzl4YENoP5-AhAz6ZLckwYZhQPunj_LtwlGmX2P206nEVvrnJ_Q4tlmlLmDHT LYWrpHyX8er0uJzqn1gkwJO_FxObZeObkRuAa33WtlmUJIBR0T seSaOsHuHwwIHAfL5iWLXBi6put1haI3dGLxHoSjmSndtCAunE 0J_Ly5pOlEi2EA0b9DHa-embpoq_8vk6FgRvnLxRb2QDXR5CgmaHsF7DHaKAmMVPrpXZ0V9 XMyaWuXxabWa5Hgkd2nk9ka2Vu0Q-8AdKMmtm_yyT2inL4aBUEnFcwPJMUNhmSVVtznYqg8AW4UA8wQ bdvJGw93IytBrVYDLoN4t9D7HRVlA_mHTVT_hzbkEx1mtwc_-tyKeJU8P98GHjF180rmPZDs_-huJrWX2s3HfStCiV9Zgef2HtnR4q-aoetCo1oTy_N4Ujji3w1Gw=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aqh9pGgZeo3i_8vhd_ChN1mKP_9Pya5155ylIH8o6eKodkU7hy hh9ScHjNcDCSHrbYwb3K-yfWPa4vVB4Iw1TouxvY7z1vDOqHWUlYAhw66vMZ5lkha91FNq7 bzUxo7x8F2PVWPw1kNgtFg2A9J6EXUts7JouTIyhpzSOvRZAzT fq6sl6XuGA-kMOx_I7rv8K8flcX7y7BZqU3GDeRDdqGbh3McwADk8BWrZCsFd ufNP-E0dN5UKqjlDbXPjgI54_FQwqsJ0mWGECmjLAvJuHP8RX8I6bcy nTt4gcJHrySBBOcMfEiXGFUuZ2SUzOHsgzKrw9uceZxGlM-don49kSehc_eM2_qioe4q9A9Vbp8PZ6SO6KMLIe3VGi6JWH6NF lDZTKv3kcMLuJQCOPWmx0c1gb5BsahuikcUZAaeGucwrMLsa89 aZBcn-s_0577sXDGEPpheYF41iJAOqLCJcKyf_5r7UNRvLFYHX6lQHYj QCusKGNDyemXpxrUHb1uCuL6B3IZFX77Z3v9x_0HHyMFiIZzfT 4o9uOZP0xhur-qed5rxB-Djduv8ZNploigNBw2SH7F2kCVpfYGKKeJvxjvScc7oGrZDOJ2p Ji7w5e-VSWe9KktVedzdkQYf1tKItrkJT2qIdyMfkrMrW8KcHTpwgXUZ_ BkuxOw=w712-h949-no

Before you reach the second swinging bridge on the trail, you cross a small feeder stream. (It's near where I took the pic of the holly tree the week before.) I noticed a shiny bright spot through the trees upstream, assumed it was a wall of windows, and thought, "Oh, I didn't know there were any houses this close to the trail." Double take showed me that it was ice. Scrambled up the gorge (and through some pretty thick undergrowth that would be damn near impassible during the summer) and found a nice seasonal waterfall at a hollowed-out rock face:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_nrxreBjXlpDerosanmIhdvz6SEMdhyO6oZEDOFdF1tmZPloqs TCQ2ELJ2ezAC4JjjjXoPrZyyKquf1IxOX6WiZK_7idukA1HKeX pQY64FnMi9fyliV8BWSpmGpOd9OwTuQGHiwS5qkCJWZN3L_rlO wSc714Ap7caweMVhA0u7wYNhgLpLlr4iMrMjs-jG234GBQB7-Hv7_Bbixym_PzLI9nDDvNcvweq6zpp1MOwwuZDyYuOSH387GpI p-A4_75hi8BQJnl4wc-atsBEAUIvfvq2cedqRy7qTplJqruDJ3l56-pw7pihOMaenhY3f-RPfh-ieWwsdbARaPxzff3-p68yHh6i79-OsAGv305IKoCrpHmb2RrbpwlttzJhElqr9bUBD3jUy0-TDqIPJctQFhxeLLaaMmth78auerffXMMV7MkcwpvMN1RSekT2H CZ1SUqyph4Doq0PgzDK7siAIyv-x9MVZyaDzgK04vN0iObj4Rhi2gYMidO6lYkMDSx8DdiGqDwwgb DLD-JcyDr_wXYBa7Sxkfq-E9hlKxggKIuBA3rXhsdMfWO212-A_TALmdFy7aJ98mMe6_HnjOghCcilBgSLizfGjk0s6DHRl5v99 O2HW1_bLrLdHH-H5cSXie5f08DXRK087AMSLm_afHWa5LzQOzQfg=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hQJO9eF1LvlzgF_TnXwD4qf4Y9CB2P1y0xvQbNYYCSMf8EudGq-aTO12spXYwOnFiXyjc23b43lZfy4gYhtPngyVmaSY46muEU6Ww _RudSqKY5izTUPkY-lPSKDdYVNrHtIO-dGf15cIWkurpkoZ8E4egR0S7B50IiRmtGFZJBUr-iK_lGkBXEchjkOgOIXzlu-EyaGY-RdPjrUBnhmbs3QhJ97VmGYtZl1RfHt31705S37DT7oCt8_md6N s3w99nIcUX69p0_BzXtcEyW1qpJ_nOSZpQmqU9QiSia-tigrN78tOXOPnw_4deJsN4f5d-3NS1lNuLZVx-s4tDaPV1_tGgTAKc1GgU4pnNcfrtQtQ8g-O_-951oCwRYPzerzsr_hq7YBH643Ll43CGPs-Ryw7E558rH4P2sM1G2APiVAcDt0gBUOEdpVaasXaSTVxNL1G0h qhQXg-I91RRCV5V39mGEETbDrQAr1BBn3euMzDRnw0jdOtFA03pocIQt 0rBA8mJLLS7IGsAftPs0kXpkd5e_4Oh5giv1IR8n2YwkMb1tLc UtcexAtPEuK-hjb48g6DZbjg1_PyIJLX1K_AGqVZ9s3k4TwkEwQAHOuqDk2agm 2OOsekPhnNQAq8_mn1H0rh32gIw9r0E2G50qZOqAhK1KCUKuFl Eg=w712-h949-no

All in all, two solid holiday hikes this year, especially under the circumstances of being limited on time with two toddlers at home during the holiday break. Hopefully I can get back to some of my other favorite trails later this winter that are farther abreast.