Prairie Mountain AM on PM

Feeling motivated and invigorated after yesterday's hike up to Cox Hill then having a great night of sleep in my new tent, I woke with still some energy to spend so was raring to get going this morning. In cases like this, my go to hike is to hit Prairie Mountain.  It is about the only one I feel safe soloing right now.  I was the fifth car parked at the trail head, two of which were bikers, so I knew it would be sparsely populated up there and I like it like that.  I began hiking at 8:29am.  It was fresh & cool for the first 30 minutes, then the layers came off.  Then the sleeves got pushed up and the pants rolled up.  

Time in the trees seemed to fly by and before I knew it, I reached the wide open section.  This is the spot that gives me the tell tale sign of what the summit might be like.  There was next to no wind, the sun felt warm and the trail was clear and dry.  

I met a fellow on his way down and three ladies packing up after their summit visit.  There was no one else in sight.  I have been having loads of luck with my Prairie Mountain visits lately.  I had outright ownership and I like it like that.  I took time to get a fun summit shot.  This portrays exactly how I felt, pleased and content.

After taking care of the summit business, I headed beyond the summit and followed the ridge.

I made my way quite close to the end, just before where it dramatically drops down.  My yoga pose is framing Moose Mountain.  I really enjoyed this spot and believe it to be a better lunch stop spot then the actual summit.  Yet today, it was still very early and I wasn't hungry.

After a little visit on the edge, I retraced my steps back to the flag.  You can see it right of those trees in the lowest dark cloud mid photo.  This side trip was an opportunity to add on a tad more distance and elevation gain.  I would have preferred to do the Prairie Mountain Loop.  If you were with me I would have,  I won't solo it.

closer to the summit 

As I approached the summit, the population of it was beginning to grow.  I sat for a few minutes to the side which was enough.  It was time to leave and let the multitude of folks enjoy the space.  It was now chilly and windy so layers were needed.  It paid to be at the top before 10:00am.  That lingering cornice is still hanging around.  This is the last view before heading back into the trees to take care of the steep descending business.  

I was methodical in my descent.  That anniversary is approaching and I am not into a repeat performance.  While the distance covered between yesterday's and today's hike is not big, I will though acknowledge the total elevation gain.  Maybe Saturday and Sunday hikes are no longer a thing of the past.    

Cox Hill wonderfully wintery

Hey!  It's May!  Hiking Cox Hill today, we got exactly what one should expect and plan for when hitting those hills in our mountain playground west of the City.  I never know what location to plug into the search for a weather forecast when I'm looking for a report on this area.  After checking out all surrounding areas, I came away with a forecast that said snow, rain, sun, cloud, cold, warm.  Hey! It's May!  Come prepared for it all!  We got it all too!

It was cold gearing up mid morning in the Dawson Equestrian Parking Lot and it took longer than usual to warm up as we went up.  Eventually I did shed a layer. Views for the first few kilometers are of a tree-lined trail so we are able to make headway on that as there is no reason for photo stops. Then the first meadow offered up a display of ice crystal covered crocuses and we had to admire them.  It amazes me how these delicate looking wild flowers survive under conditions like this.

The higher up, the slipperier the trail became and our micro-spikes were put to the test.  We made it out of the forest, up along the switchbacks which traverse that steep slope then out into the wide open.  The snow was falling, it was accumulating and sticking on the ground and on the trees.  It did look pretty I must admit, even if it's May.  

yes the snow was sticky as my friend could attest to

this is the most build up I've ever seen on the bottom of a micro-spike

We aimed for the far end of Cox Hill where the rocky outcrop is and where Jumpingpound Ridge begins leading to Jumpingpound Mountain.  Visibility was non-existent for our group summit shot but we did see the sun try to break through.  Yes, there is a sun up there!  I wondered if possibly this is what the conditions were like when that plane crashed here back in 1986.  Cox Hill Plane Crash June 14, 1986  Luckily for us today, it was not windy and it was just chilly not cold.  

Then the clouds opened and I jumped at the opportunity for my summit shot.

Given the decent conditions right now, we opted for this to be our lunch spot.  We enjoyed a lengthy visit with chit-chat that I believe is the result of "feeling high on life and releasing our inhibitions".  Sometimes what is voiced under these situations is best left on the trail!   

We made it all the way up here, so we decided why not hit all the high points.  

On the way down those switchbacks, the snowfall was heavier than it was while ascending.  We got off the top just in time.  Just like that all-inclusive forecast that I found, it was panning out as promised.  Then just like that, it cleared up and warmed up.  We enjoyed blue sky for the balance of our descent.

We visited that crocus filled meadow again and yes, those dainty flowers do survive.  

Even though it was like winter today, it was still wonderful.  Conditions did not impede on our day and we executed our hike as planned.  May can present a taste and tease of a summer hiking season just around the corner and that is exactly what we experienced today on Cox Hill.  

that's a wrap

It's time to finally put the finishing touches on my Maui vacation which ended on April 18th.  I walked the beach a little later that last morning.  The lighting was different, I guess because the sun was a little higher up, but it was shaping up to be just another day in paradise for others.  I made sure to take in every last second of beauty before heading up to my condo to clean up and pack up.

All they ask upon leaving is that you just make sure all the doors are locked.  I sauntered over to my lanai doors for one last look at that view I had.  This morning's visitors were the breast cancer survivor rowers.   I saw their pink canoe down the beach each day but this was the first time I saw them rowing.  It was a lovely sight that pink in the blue.  

Good-bye Maui!

I made up this map showing the lay of the land and the ground I covered.  

a few of my favourite photos

Everyone I talked to about this magical Island prior to my arrival there, said there is something about this place.  I now know what you meant! 

Reality Check

Hiking the Barrier Beach / Jewell Pass / Barrier Lookout / Prairie View Loop today was as ideal as it gets for checking back into reality hiking.  Maui seems like a dream now and I only have magical memories of hiking on that Island.  Today seemed magical in a whole different way.   All the things that go into making a fine time were at the forefront.  We started with a cool calm morning walking the shoreline of Barrier Lake.  I call it Barrier Beach.  Guess I am not fully back yet!

We planned on completing the loop in a counter clockwise direction but when we arrived, we quickly changed our mind and decided to enjoy the long stretch of wide open first before heading into the trees.  I knew those reflections would not be there mid afternoon.  Along the way, I had my first crocus sighting of the season.  My friends have already viewed many in the past weeks so were not as enamoured as I.   Those dew drops would not be there mid afternoon, so another good reason to be going clockwise.  

This was my first time on the Jewell Pass Trail since it had been reconstructed after that June Flood.  Long stretches were icy and slippery, no problem though for us, we of course had our microspikes with us.  It is that time of year when you don't leave those at home.  We reached the rocky outcrop Prairie View lookout spot.  We only saw a solo hiker along the Jewell Pass Trail but there loads of folks at this lookout. 

We quickly bypassed here in favour of making our way right up to the Lookout for lunch.  It was nearing noon and we were hungry.  Hungry for a more quiet place too.  We shared the summit with thankfully only a handful of summiteers.  This is my summit shot.  I am not ready to give up the flower in the hair thing.

Mr Lookout was home so no venturing up onto his veranda.  

The views were spectacular.  Right now at this point in time, I am loving my reality.  The sun was warm, there was no wind, I could see forever and my favourite kind of clouds even greeted us.  

enjoying our lunch time view

Our summit visit lasted about 45 minutes.  We didn't want to leave but the reality of it is, we had to get on with our day.  More folks were arriving and it was their turn to enjoy what we just did.  That picnic table was just vacated by two gentlemen and their best friends.  Now that's a prime dining spot.

On the way down, we took time to enjoy the views from that rocky outcrop.  

Barrier Lake looked like a jewel.   

At the end of our hike, I took a moment to admire the surroundings and was reminded of the beauty in my mountain playground.  Spring is here, the snow is melting, and I am excited for the upcoming hiking season.  I do love this kind of reality, it makes me feel like I am "on top of the world"!

Kapalua Coastal Hiking

I can't help but wake early and get on with just another day in paradise.  I woke to a sky full of stars and then when the sky began to lighten and the sun come up, I said Good Morning Maui.  With a big pink cloud casting a pink reflection into the ocean, this mixed in with the palm trees, yup I thought just another day in paradise.

As my Kona coffee was brewing, I glanced over a map that has been my go to map, and discovered there is a walk/hike called the Kapalua Coastal Trail.  Perfect, this takes me to an area I only previously drove by.  I parked at DT Flemming Beach and began from there.  Not five minutes after I began, it poured for a few minutes and then cleared just as quickly, offering up this view.

Then about 15 minutes later it poured again for a few minutes and I thought O.K. does this mean another rainbow!  Sure enough!  One lady told me this happens all the time in Kapalua.  That was it for today though. 

I went from hiking on a paved path, to a boardwalk, then onto a dirt trail that meandered through a lava rock section. It was refreshing to stand on the rock (at a safe distance) and feel the mist from the crashing waves.  

                                                     This is a short detour off the main trail.

                                         Just like yesterday, a trail that leads me right out to the ocean.

                                                   

                                                                  The rock formations are amazing. 

Parts of the trail pass by luxurious looking resorts. The grounds are perfectly manicured, the views are exquisite.  I still prefer my own little piece of paradise down the road. 

                                                   

                                                                        just another view

So many colours here that just pop.  That rocky outcrop on the right is where folks cliff dive. I watched two guys do back flips and somersaults into the ocean below.

The trail goes from grassy and green, to bouldery and brown.  The rocks are jagged and one section is called Dragon's Teeth.  

                                                                           crashing waves

I came to an inlet where movement in the water caught my eye.  There were two sea turtles, what looked like were a mother and its baby.  I watched for close to thirty minutes. They were rather fascinating and seemed to be putting on a show.

                                                         This was the inlet where they were.  

                                                                  just another gorgeous view

This was an out and back trip.  As I was nearing the end, I took one last look up the boardwalk before heading down through the Ritz Charlton property then back to my car.  I covered about eight kilometres and every inch of the way was breathtaking.  I truly enjoyed this coastal hike and savoured every second.