Miller Canyon to Hohenstein Mine

This was Margot's idea.  She wanted another challenging and steep hike of no more than five miles.  We agreed to meet at 9am in the Upper Miler Canyon parking lot.  I like these late starts this time of year so that I have time to get ready and give the dogs some attention.

The dogs got me up early again at 4:30 so I made coffee and waited for it to get light enough for .a sunrise hike with Gretchen.  We went to  the mailboxes and back for two miles.  Heard a couple of Great Horned Owls on a post on my way out.  This is the first time I've heard them in this area!  Both were gone when we walked past the post a second time.  The other excitement was seeing three juvenile coyotes cross the street about a quarter mile east of us.  Gretchen noticed but didn't get agitated.

I chose Zana as my canine partner for Miller Canyon.  She was overdue a walk and gladly came alone. She did so well staying by my side.  There were many recreationists out this morning, making both parking lots crowded, but we only came across a trail runner and three guys while on the trail.

Steve came along but just to sit in Margot's car and read and to join us for lunch at the Angry German restaurant.  He looked really tired again.

Margot has a steady pace and seldom stops to rest.  The incline up this canyon is also steady, as it's uphill all the way and we were in the shade all the way going to the mine.  No water in the creek, but Zana enjoyed her hike

The mine is at 2.5 miles from the trailhead, but Margot wanted to turn around at the two-hour mark, just 0.3 miles away up the last switchback.  We had gained almost 1700' elevation. She and Steve had errands to do today and she needed to get back

The last of the fall colors were visible.

The sun was up on the way back once we got near the orchard.

Our post-hike meal was at the Angry German.  I had a chicken Rahmschnitzel.

Thompson Saddle with Margot and Gretel

 

Cold Moon

Today was the official full moon, aka The Cold Moon.  We have had a bright sky for the past two days and tonight it came to a head.  Margot and I had planned a moon hike, but then had to cancel when she remembered a 4:30 conference call.  Moon rise was at 4:58pm.

I took Gretchen out to walk the road east in the evening.  And yes, the moon was bright.  I didn't even use my phone's flashlight.  She is still limping so I only went out for a mile.

A dead coyote lay on the road, just a lot over from mine.  It was a young one, perhaps one of two I've seen prancing around at night.  Whoever hit it left it on the side of the road.  Speed limit here is 25mph and I've seen cars drive 30+.  I think the driver purposefully hit the animal.  I moved the coyote off the road and a good 10 feet in the embankment.  An outline of the animal remained on the road.

Gretchen did not seem interested in the dead coyote/