Sunday, October 11, 2009

Bristlecone Trail - 10/10/09

What else can be said about the Bristlecone Trail this season? It is a 4 mile out and back hike with around 750 feet of elevation gain. The bristlecone trees are still beautiful. However, there were a few interesting things about this particular hike!

First, they opened the bunny slope called "Rabbit Peak" at the ski park found just before the trailhead. Furiously making snow this past 2 or 3 weeks, the ski slope managed to become the second ski slope in the nation to open this year! (Right behind one in Colorado.) Imagine that! And, yes, there were plenty of skiers and snowboarders already entering in on the fun. The 26 hikers could view parts of the slope and the activity thereon.

Second, even though there were still aspens full of yellow leaves on the sides of the ski slopes, all the yellow leaves in the aspens on the trail were now yellow and brown windswept leaves on the ground. They made a beautiful autumn picture while hiking.

Third, this was an extremely laid back group of hikers today! No one was in any particular hurry as the fall air was fresh and clear and relaxing everyone's mind and body. The leisurely hike took around 3 hours and hikers were strewn from one end of the trail to the other. Some made it to the Bonanza Trail junction and some didn't ... by choice. It was just a beautiful day in the Spring Mtns.




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