In a world of so many great photographers and writers, I am venturing into some unknown territories, leaving comfort zones, finally very willing to practice the art of seeing. By maintaining the practice of posting daily photos, I hope to continue learning about the possibilities that I trust are out there for the taking.
I lead Saturday hikes for the Mission Hills CC in-season. Today was our second hike since the “Snowbirds” returned to the desert. I don’t know what your weather is like but here in the desert our days are incredibly beautiful.
This morning’s hike began around 8am. There were 10 of us. I enjoyed having Jen join us this morning. A few of today’s hikers will be joining Jen, Ann, me, and Katya on a 7am hike tomorrow morning.
We are not a glum lot!
More photos from today’s hike HERE.
There were 6 of us on today’s warm, long hike. I brought some Class of 2011 PCT bandanas hoping to run into some thru-hikers. I met two thrus and happily gave them each this year’s bandana.
Photos from today’s hike:
http://gottago.smugmug.com/Sports/Mission-Hills-CC-Hiking-Club/041611-PCT-south-from-Hwy-74/16643519_WHhgHX#1254617247_G2Xc9CQ
Last Monday a bunch of us celebrated two 25 year birthdays at Mimi’s Restaurant in Rancho Mirage. Happy birthday to Vicki and Margaret. Here is the link to our birthday luncheon photos. http://gottago.smugmug.com/Events/Birthdays/Margaret-and-Vickis-25th-lunch/15712253_WM8Z4#1177630204_BHtU4
Then Wednesday Quincy came out to celebrate her 23rd birthday and Jo and Lulu joined her. We spent an hour or two chatting it up. Here are some photos taken during our chat. http://gottago.smugmug.com/Events/Birthdays/Quincy-and-the-girls/15726509_dJ9qX#1177640277_AzwR4
I lead a MHCC hike today and there were 16 of us in the group. That’s a record. We had a lovely hike at the Living Museum on the trail – Eisenhower Peak Loop.
http://gottago.smugmug.com/Sports/Mission-Hills-CC-Hiking-Club
Our MHCC Hiking Group this morning on the Cactus Spring Trail up Hwy 74.
l>r (rear) Diane, Joe, Bernie, Barbara, Linda and Judy up front.
Eight of us on the MHCC hike this morning.
I’ve been stealing moments to photograph the birds. I’m missing dedicated photography time.
Sleepy dove.
Late afternoon golf game.
Out for some late golf....and no, I didn't miss hitting the ball even though it looks like it.
Ray chipping.
Just before the sun set, putting.
The wind died down, the temperature was in the high 70′s, there were 8 of us on Saturday’s hike and we all agree that this 7 mile section of the PCT from the PCT trailhead just north of the I-10 freeway that goes through Gold and Teusong Canyons before reaching the Whitewater River Canyon is the MHCC Hiking Group’s #1 favorite hike during the peak wildflower season (or anytime really.).
To see more of the 40 hiking photos I uploaded, click here.
We probably missed the first peak wildflower bloom for many flowers by about 2 – 4 days, but we still had a great display.
In Teusong Canyon, taking a break at about 4.5 miles.
We did hit the peak on the poppy bloom however! We weren’t disappointed.
I should have posted this photo in the photo assignment “Orange” folder in my Photomotivation class (that is ending soon, but starting up again April 1st if anyone is interested.)
Hit it right for the poppies!
I am the Saturday hike leader and was thrilled to see how many hikers came out to hike today. Where we hiked, Mission Creek Preserve, is about 45 minutes from where I live. You can see that when hiking there you might feel you are in the wilderness miles from home. From where we started hiking, it was only 1.9 miles to access the PCT north of the Whitewater Cyn area.
I’ve uploaded and captioned lots of photos from the hike. They are viewable here.
This is a 2 shot handheld pano of where we hiked. Snowy San Bernadino mountains are the back drop.
Mission Creek Preserve
11 hikers in all.
Hike: 8.5 mile hike/2251′ elevation gain, accessed from Hwy 74 (Palms to Pines Hwy) off Fobes Saddle Rd (a 4 mile dirt road that goes to a trailhead that connects in 1.6 miles with the PCT at Fobes Saddle.
I planned this hike for the Saturday MHCC hike so I could, 1. check out snow conditions on the PCT and 2. run into some PCT thruhikers.
I have posted photos and descriptions of this hike on my Smugmug site.
The highlight: Meeting PCT Class of 2009 thruhiker, Neil from Seattle, WA. At the end of the photos he is pictured holding the new PCT Class of 2009 bandanna.
On the way home from our hike, we noticed 4 thrus at the Paradise Cafe, and two coming down the trail just before the gate at Hwy 74 where the PCT crosses the road.
Lots of early starters.
There were 4 empty gallon jugs of water at Fobes Saddle as of April 18th.
I’m not complaining, I’m not feeling too sorry for myself, I’m not bragging….. but after getting home at 1:30am Friday night I got up at 5:30am to lead the 7 mile Mission Hills CC hike carrying a 26 pound backpack!
We 7 seven hikers on this hike decided this particular 7 mile section on the PCT is our favorite hike of all the hikes our Club has gone on.
Here is the link to photos from our four hour hike.
p.s. Once on Smugmug, after clicking the link above, you will notice another gallery has been added to my Smugmug photosite and I’ve posted to this new gallery the Debbie D. Talk photos from March 10th. Any of you who were at the talk and would like a photo, you may order photos from Smugmug.
I will be emailing out one group and one family photo in .jpg format to all who are in our family within the week.