Mushroom Rock 3.19.19

Ho Hum, another day at Mushroom Rock.  We have all been there before but this time it was a little different.  Last visit I think it was raining.  This time it was perfect.  Clear blue skies with temperatures in the mid 40's.  We had a whopping total of 25 hikers.  We went down to Mushroom rock and then split into two groups.  Some went on the bluff trail which was a little easier and some went down to the creek.  Now, the creek seems to have two names depending on which topographical map you use.  My Garmin map calls it North Suck Creek while others call it Middle Creek.  You decide for yourself. The route down to the creek from the rock was definitely on the Moderate Plus side of difficulty.  The hike to the rock itself would be considered easy.  The distance to rock is about 1.3 miles while the total distance to the creek and back is about 3.8 miles.  The maximum moving speed was 4.1 mph with a moving average of 2.0.  Total time of the hike was about 3 hours.  Since there were so many, we decided to split up for lunch.  The group I was with went to the Humming Bird Pastaria.  This group enjoyed their lunch very much even though it was a little on the expensive side.  If you would like to see some pictures of the hike, including maps and altitude graph,  click here.  If you are trying to view the pictures through the TTA website and having trouble please go directly to the blog at www.sdctta.blogspot.com  Google Chrome is the prefered browser. 

Natural Bridge Trail

  Eight hikers showed up for Saturday's hike.  It was listed on the blog as about 6 miles, but we determined it was closer to a 7 mile moderate hike.  The weather was great – a bit chilly at the start due in part to a light breeze, but quite pleasant by the hike's completion - it started in the 30's and ended in the low 50's.  We departed the trail head at around 10am and reached Natural Bridge around 11:30am.  The trail was in pretty good shape.  The chain-saw crews appeared to be doing a good job clearing the trail of numerous fallen trees along the trail.  The trail was a bit muddy in spots (one of our hikers slipped and fell in the mud – no injuries though).  We crossed several small water runoffs along the trail.  The crossings were easily executed with no one getting wet.  We had our snacks at Natural Bridge and began the exit portion of the hike at around 12pm.  On the return, one of the hikers, tripped and fell.  He landed on his nose, and fortunately because it was so well constructed, he suffered only a bloody nose.  By trails end, it appeared he suffered no serious injury to his nose, and I assured him, that in my humble opinion, his future as an octogenarian poster-boy was in no danger of suffering.  I encourage local hikers to take advantage of hiking this time of year before the ticks, mosquitoes, and other pesky critters make their presence known.  The lack foliage is such that the views are at their best.
If you would like to see some pictures of this hike, including maps,  click here.  If you are trying to view the pictures from the TTA website and experiencing difficulties, please go directly to the Blog at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  This Blog is best viewed through the browser Google Chrome.