15 Miles in a Day

I had decided that my growing abilities as a hiker needed a goal that wasn't about elevations climbed or minutes per mile shaved off.  This was a distance challenge.  I'd heard that a 15 mile day was a good day for Pacific Crest Trail hikers, though many did more than that.  Well, I figured if that lady in "Wild" could do it with a heavy pack, then I could do it on Caribou Road sans pack, and with only about a 1000 ft. elevation climb.  If I could only keep to 2 mph, it would take over 7 hours, so I tried to go stronger, and did it.  Thanks to my friend Brenda, who also did it (yay!) I was spurred to accomplish my goal.  We did the 16 mile round-trip in 6 hours 20 minutes.

Ben Lomond's sun-lit head peeks up above misty puffs that rise from the deep shadowed canyon

along Caribou Road

the darkness and the steaming light on a frosty morning hike

at the wild azalea waterfall, there are actually a few flower blooms!

closer up view

strange rocky structure that refused to let the photo capture its essence

hawthorns? hickory?  whatever they are, they hurt like a porcupine

we've reached the Belden reservoir just below the Caribou PG&E camp!  Not much farther to the turn-around point

closer up view - note the silver-gray rock "blades" to the right.  we love them

vine-laden chimney

funky stairway

the rock "blades" that are the wall of the canyon at the reservoir

fun orange berriy bush

nifty rock castle with cool clouds

waterfall right before you get to the powerhouses at the "top"

Coming to the powerhouses; we will touch the dark orange sign and begin the return trip after sitting in the sun to eat our lunch.  We both brought peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches and chunks of fruitcake.

close-up of the top of the hill

Caribou Powerhouse #1

We met up with Jeffery, who was jogging to coincide with our return trip.  He walked us back to the starting point like a friend doing the end of the Marathon in support, and with 16 miles under our belts, we did feel pretty darn triumphant!  Huzzah!