Since we didn't get to bed till late, we slept in some this morning. I think we rolled out of bed around, oh, maybe 9:30 or 10:00. It's nice not knowing and even better not caring.
We took the Boys to the river behind the campground to play awhile. We left them off leash since it was so secluded and they enjoyed jumping over the downed trees and running through the grasses. We played stick with them in the water, but the current was pretty strong and, being sissies, they refuse to get in if it's deep and there's a current. That's fine - keeps me from worrying that they'll be swept away and drown.
We found a little path that led from the side of the river bank to what we assumed connected to another part of the campground's river access. Twister alerted on something and I got a little nervous that he would take off, so I suggested putting the dogs back on lead. Bill snapped Twist's leash on, and as we were getting ready to go, I said, "Stop! Do you smell that?...Skunk!" Bill got a confirmation whiff and we promptly turned around and headed back the way we came. Skunks scare me more than bears. Bear encounters may or may not be dangerous - a run in with a skunk is guaranteed to end badly.
We came back and chatted with Karma awhile and then decided to take the Boys to Redfish Lake and take the ferry across and hike back. We went...and left. The place was a complete zoo. Not that I should have expected anything less - it was Saturday after all, but we see so few people here during the week that it's really hard to imagine crowds. We bagged it and drove to Gallina to do the Titus Lake hike I had been wanting to do.
Along the way, we had to stop for the sheep crossing. Hey, look...actual cowboys...people who REALLY work for a living. :)
When we arrived at the Titus Lake trailhead parking area, there was a mother with 3 kids and 2 unleashed dogs just coming off the trail. Unfortunately, the parking area is across the road from the trailhead. The kids, and to my horror, the dogs, ran right out into the road as traffic was coming. Bill and I just stood there dumbfounded. Mom-Of-The-Year finally looked up and yelled at both the kids and the dogs. The kids were quicker - it took more to get the dogs back to her. I thought for certain we were going to watch them get hit. I'm grateful they didn't. I would have lost it and gone ape on her butt. Stupid woman. What is WRONG with you? Ever heard of a leash?...for your dogs AND your kids??! They all waltzed across the road as if nothing had happened. Unbelievable.
The trailhead was extremely busy. There were 3 or 4 groups that were just finishing up. One guy stopped and said "You guys are getting a late start." I asked Bill, "Is there some rule around here that you can't use the trails in the afternoons?" This is the second time that someone has mentioned our arrival at a trail late in the day. It was only 3 pm. The trail is only 5 miles long. We still have SEVEN hours of daylight left. Uh...I think we got this one, Buddy. Thanks though. How'z about you load your kids in your minivan and get home in time for SpongeBob and your 7pm bedtime routine? We'll stay here, and live on the wild side by hiking this trail in the near total darkness of the 3 o'clock afternoon shadows. EEEEKKKK! (rolling eyes)
The trail was spectacular - as all of them seem to be around here. It wound through a burn area and the trees proudly exhibited their scars and turned them into a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors and patterns.
The trail was rocky and quite steep in places - again, like all of them seem to be around here. There hasn't been a single trail that hasn't been worth the effort of climbing though.
"Hey look...you can see the truck from here!"
At one point, the trail climbed rather steeply and opened up to an amazing vista of the White Cloud mountain range.
Early on, after we passed the small groups of folks who were finishing their hike, we only shared the trail for a brief moment with a lone mountain biker. We made our way towards Titus Lake...
and only passed one other small family as we headed down. Once there, we had the entire lake and meadow to ourselves. We stayed there for a long time. It was so peaceful. There was a slight chill to the air - we were at 8900 feet so no surprise there - but the sun warmed us even as the breeze chilled our skin.
The Boys had a blast. We let them off lead and they romped and played like there was no tomorrow.
there was stick time....
accidental swim time...
playing tag....
and hide and seek....
(Can you spot Mommy in the bushes?)
The hike back was just as enjoyable as the hike in. From a different direction, all the sights and vistas are new again and each hold a new beauty to gaze upon.
I told Bill that our hike into the Grand Canyon will always be one of my favorites, but this place is quickly outranking even the most spectacular of our National Park adventures. It's one of the most beautiful and serene places I've ever been and the remoteness and solitude that you experience here is profound. Unless you're off the beaten path and backpacking in Yellowstone or Yosemite, it would be hard to experience this kind of solitude in such a gloriously peaceful and breathtaking place as this. The NP trails are just too populated and busy. Not to mention, we can't take the Boys on the NP trails, so our time here is spent with our Pups and with each other and we're really enjoying it.
After the hike back, it took about 3 seconds for the Boys to rack out in the truck for the ride home.
We had a killer salad and roasted vegetables for dinner and enjoyed a relaxing walk around the campground after dinner. The Boys were ready to call it a day and were more interested in going back to the trailer than walking the campground loops.
We set up our little doggie-fence-patio area and sat and read for the rest of the night.
Another awesome day in the SNRA. :)
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