May 12, 2013 - Back to Parking Lot

Title: May 12, 2013 - Return to Car

Trail head:  Tarwater Primitive Camp

Hike Info:

Trail: 

Destination:  Sam McDonald County Park Ranger Station

Distance:  7.18 miles

Travel Time: 4:51  (1.48 mph)

Moving Time: 4:35 (1.57 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1.516'

Maximum Elevation: 1,139'

Description:

Woke up at first light, but stayed in bed, feeling lazy. But got up a little before 7. Bathroom a calling me. Then went for a little walk up the trail. Came back. Evidently, I am not the only one feeling lazy. Everybody else asleep until Steven got up around 8:30. People starting to arose at 9:29. Breakfast is oatmeal and mosquito's. Maybe some Tang as well.

Youth Camp Sign

We mosey around camp for awhile, even doing some yoga,  and leave at 11. We make pretty good time hiking the Pomponio Trail from our Tarwater Camp. We raise up, passing the Honor Jail paved access road. Saw a fox scurrying across the bridge which we crossed a few minutes later. The Pomponio Trail leaves the road and climbs the up several hundred feet, under the shade of some oaks. We meet a ranger on horse back and talk with him for awhile. He gives us some tips on navigating, particularly getting to the proper segment of the Brooke's Loop Trail.

We get to the junction of the Shaw Flat Camp at 12:30. We have passed elevessees, so we stop for lunch while some of us head off to use the Shaw Flat Camp pit toilets. Relaxed, so off we head again. The Pomponio Trail interweaves with several other trails and fire roads. Sherri is performing as the GPS. This is outside of her comfort zone. But she does well, considering what the map says and where we want to go. By the end of the hike, she is tired of being the GPS though.

Townes Creek Water Fall

Family Shot

We go to the second Brooke's Loop Trail junction. This trail is a loop. The horse back ranger said this was the prettier part of the trail and not so exposed. He is right about it being prettier. We shortly come across a little waterfall which empties into a pool. This is Townes Creek. We stop and gawk for a while, taking in this little bit of paradise before continuing on.

Townes Creek

From here, the Brooke Trail leads us up a ridge, about a 1,000' climb. It is mostly among trees, but close to the top, we hit more open land. Here we feel the mid-afternoon sun hitting on our bodies. While it is not the oppressive heat of the Central Valley, it still causes us to reach for the sunscreen and other sorts of protection. 
 

Andrea and Steven

At the end of the climb, we hit our old friend, the Townes Fire Road--a different segment than we had coming in. We will follow this road all the way back to the car.