Weekly Trials and Tribulations of the Scenic City Chapter of the TTA

Weekly Trials. Tribulations and Photos experienced while hiking

Raccoon Mtn. 7.9.19

Let me start off by saying I goofed!  I forgot to get a group picture of the 14 warm weather hikers we had on this hike.  It really wasn't too warm as we were on the top of Raccoon Mtn. under the canopy.  We completed this 3.6 mile easy hike in about 2.5 hours and since I was the hike leader, I kept the pace slow.  The trail was a loop, beginning and ending in the Laurel Pt. parking lot.  If you look at the pictures, you will see some very nice raccoon paw prints in the sand.  There is also a nice picture of a Northern Red Racer snake.  I have an interest in Herpetology but always miss seeing the good stuff?  Dang!  I would have loved to have grabbed this critter and examine it more closely.  What good is a herpetologist who never sees anything.
If you would like to see some pictures, maps and an 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 preferred browser.
This weeks joke. 
A Priest, a rabbi, and a pastor go out hiking one day.  They come across a beautiful clear pond and decide to go skinny-dipping.  After cooling off, they relax on a large flat rock before putting their clothes back on.  However, a group of day-hikers comes strolling up.  Fearful that these people might be members of one of congregations, the pastor and the priest cover their privates and rush into the underbrush.  The rabbi follows them, but moves more slowly because he covers his face with his hands.
Once they are safely concealed, the priest and the pastor ask the rabbi, "why did you cover your face instead of your privates?"  The rabbi responded, "what part of your body would your congregation recognize?"

Laurel-Snow 7.6.19

Today (Saturday) we had 6 hikers participate in the hike to Laurel Falls and return from the Laurel -Snow Trailhead. To this we added a side trip to the Bryan Overlook (above and west of Laurel Falls).
The trees and bushes in the area were lush. The waterfalls and streams were still running very well (which is very good for this time of year). There were many hikers on the trail and sunbathers on the Richland Creek gravel bars. All in all it was a very enjoyable hike in a beautiful area.
We hiked about 7 miles and I'd rate the hike as moderately strenuous. When we finished the hike at about 2:30 pm the temperature was 94 degrees and we were all feeling really good and warm.
If you would like to see some nice pictures of this hike, click here.  Thanks to all who sent in pictures, it is really appreciated.  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 preferred browser.