Well Glenn did it again- he out did the infamous Lake Berryessa hike. Yesterday's 10 mile/moderate hike (American Canyon to Cool) ended up as a 13 mile/strenuous hike. There was and nearly 2000’ of vertical going up and down those false summits. Glenn and Rich had to go ahead of the group of Geezers to get the cars and pick up the group on Rte 49, a full mile from the end of the Death March! The 7 of us (Glenn, Rich, Larry, Merrill, Sherm, JD and me) barely had enough energy to get out the cars to order our ice cream. We probably looked like the typical desert survivor crawling in the sand to the mirage/oasis for drinking water when we approached Foster's Ice Cream. Thanks Glenn, we still love you, but it's the last time you get to choose the hike as some of us Geezers are not getting any younger! A few more hikes like this and you'll have to re-name us the wheezer group!
Another point of view: This week, 7 geezers (John, Merrill, JD, Sherm, Larry, Rich and Glenn) hiked in the Auburn State Recreation Area. The hike started at Gate 3 of Auburn Lake Trails subdivision, and descended down the American Canyon Trail until it intersected the Western States Trail (WST). We then followed the WST to the Quarry and Hwy 49 crossing. None of us had hiked the middle portion of the WST. Rich and Glenn went ahead to the Fire Station in Cool to complete the car shuttle, and returned to pick up the remainder at the Quarry. The hike we thought would be about 10 miles, scaling off the maps we had. However, trail signs, as well as the GPS showed we travelled closer to 12 miles just to get to the Quarry, and another mile back to Cool. (Oops!) In all, this turned out to be one of our longest hikes. Fortunately we had beautiful weather and most of the trail was relatively level, with a dense tree canopy, and several small stream crossings. There were a couple of surprise grades that turned out to be a lot steeper than any of us had remembered. But with the motivation of ice cream to follow, everyone continued on. Maybe next week we can find a trail that's even longer...
Glenn.
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