Gary-Summer: July 21. 2023 Azalea Trail

Friday, July 21, 2023

July 21. 2023 Azalea Trail

Title: July 21. 2023 Azalea Trail
Hike Info : Description : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Highway 180

Trail: Azalea Trail, Park Ridge Trail

Destination: Park Ridge Lookout

Actual Destination: Top of Park Ridge

Distance: 3.92 miles

Start Time: 8:15

End Time: 12:00

Travel Time: 3:45 (1.04 mph)

Moving Time: 2:51 (1.37 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,149'

Descent: 1,169‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,537'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Trail over Sequoia Creek

Today I will be confirming if last Sunday was just a fluke with the heat and that I can do mountains without breathing hard. For this, I will be setting off by myself. Sherri likes to sleep a bit later than me. I get up at 5:30, do my lightning report-no lightning. Then I am out of the door by 6:40-I was hoping for more like a 6:00am exit time. Still this is pretty good.

There are a few cars going my way. One a little slower, but not too bad. I get into the park and stop at Big Stump at 7:50. The park is doing construction-fixing worn spots and pot holes before the Wye. So we are held up there, but not too badly. I get to the entrance of the Needle Dump, which is across the highway from the Azalea trailhead.

It does not take me long to get ready-just put on boots, get the hiking poles set up, and throw on my pack. The intention is to hike two hours up and an hour back. If I am really good, I will make the lookout. I leave my Ford Ranger at 8:10.

The trail starts climbing almost immediately. And this answers the question of the day: it was not just the heat nor the altitude, it is the lungs and conditioning. But it is still a wonderful day to hike and this trail is a good one to be on.

Buck Rock

Why you might ask? About a quarter mile up, there is a little meadow. There is a bit of freshness of green with some flowers and a bit of water in it. Afterwards, I start running into some rather pretty wild flowers. This includes mountain strawberries, leopard lilies, manzanita blossoms and then, of course, azaleas. These are not only pretty to look at but are also very fragrant. They line Sequoia Creek and I walk right through them as they line the trail on both sides. Most of the blossoms are in full bloom, but there are those which have had their time in the sin and are now fading.

I stop and rest-this huffing and puffing really gets to me. I see there has been a Facebook post from Park Ridge Lookout. So I responded with a picture of an azalea. A few minutes later there is a text conversation with Jeff, who is at Park Ridge Lookout, and Wendy trying to make sense out of a situation. I add confusion with greetings from the Azalea Trail.

There is a good climb up to a saddle on Park Ridge. I take the opportunity to rest and call Sherri. It is 10:15 and I am debating about going on. I phone up Sherri more to let her know that I am not sticking to the two hours, but adding in a bit more. She is encouraging.

Spanish Mountain

After resting a few more minutes, I start up the trail. I see both Delilah and Buck Rock. I walk on for about 15-20 minutes to 10:45. This is going to be my real turn around place. I am thinking that I will be back at the pickup by noon. I also set off my Zoleo, checking in. I had let my family know I was going to do that at my turn around place.

Returning back, going down this trail is a lot easier. I met a couple of women walking towards the lookout. We talked for a few minutes before continuing on. I enjoy thishike, even though there is one small rise towards the end which my legs decided they have had enough. Theu get a little rubbery.

Trail back to road

With the Ranger in sight, I get a call. It is from Caliber Collision. Our Highlander has been in the shop for a month after we got rear ended. Francisco says that they found an issue and need to keep it until probably Tuesday. Disappointing, but I would rather have it fixed right than get it back sooner. I tell Sherri the news.

As I get to the Ranger, a dump truck is coming out of the Needle Dump area. We exchange greetings. I then get my lunch out and enjoy it there. I also do a Zoleo check-in to let people know I made it back to the car.

By 12:30, I am gone. The drive back is warm-my Ranger does not have air conditioning. But it has not reached 100^o yet, so I am counting my blessings. I get home before 2. It has been a pretty satisfying morning, except for the disappointment that my body is not in better shape.