I did Pine Creek Canyon a few weeks ago (directions to this hike and specs to the designated trail click here Pine Creek) but thought it deserved another go around. The water supply and rock scrambling just seemed tempting today.

But let me back track a little being because of work I have turned into a weekend warrior on the trails. So going to say that the weekend between Good Friday and the ending of Easter Sunday was two great Hikes. Friday Night after work, took a nap went to Wal-mart and got a head lamp in prep for the hike….it was a full moon afterall….which prompts the idea of hiking. Anyways the adrenaline rush from hiking at night was exhilarating. Mostly by moonlight, but within canyon walls shadows do lurk. There was four of us, walking along pairs of two one in front of the other about twenty paces. I see someone sitting on the side of the trail not making a sound. I say “how’s it going?” This startled my partner a little I think. Especially just as he looked and saw him, he was responding “pretty good”. Well, we continue walking and about fifteen paces up we turn around to see the other pair cross his path. Out of the clear blue you hear this loud scream and legs flying backwards in the air.

Anyways that was a funny moment and had to share. But the moral of the story is…..don’t ever assume you are alone or no one is watching. Some trails are more popular than one might think.

That was along the Gold Strike Hot Springs trail where clothing is optional from what I understand. But you must be rugged, and level headed because the rock scrambling can intimidate the novice hiker.

On our way through the weekend…….Hot Springs ended early the next morning…..slept most of Saturday and Sunday just had to revisit a different rock scrambling trail that I wanted to try again. Yeah you know I mean Pine Creek, That hike was so much fun and I had to get some more. Hiking with a totally different group this time, but there are still four of us. Everyones first time this is my second. And the official trail is 2.7 miles however alternate trails lead into the canyon for miles, Last time we trekked 3 miles in 3 out, this time we went 4 in 4 out. Only big difference was the lack of water, last time the spring was flowing nicely. Easter Sunday the water was mostly submerged beneath the surface.

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I went into the hike hoping on finding some wildlife to photograph (yeah I am thinking a rabbit) Knowing that would be about impossible. On the hike not seeing any wildlife I start realizing that flowers are blooming, trees are blooming, bees are flying, birds are chirping. And begin to think about Easter Sunday and feeling the rejuvenation of life all around me. On how everything works in harmony with each other to where we can continue to exist.

Well we get about 4 miles into the rock scramble and my water bladder started leaking. Come to find out the hose slipped off and what happened was my backpack filled up with water. My Oakley pack holding my cell phone, my camera, along with other things which can be dried, the phone and camera though may be a different story.

Hopefully I will be able to get something going by next weekends hike.

Hope You Are Having An Exploratory 2009!

Tags: adrenaline rush, afterall, begining, canyon walls, canyons, easter sunday, friday night, full moon, gold strike, good friday, group, head lamp, hikers, Hiking, hot springs trail, moonlight, moral of the story, nap, next morning, novice hiker, paths, saturday and sunday, trail, trek, twenty paces, wal mart, water supply, weekend warrior