Articles & Long Notices
General News · 14th January 2009
Carol Trueman
After going on a long hike a few days ago with Richard and Ron and getting up to a peak I have wanted to climb ever since I came here, I once again set off to go further towards the top of Mt. Alamos. Ron would like to climb it and now that we have explored some trails, we set off at 8 AM to go further.
This time we were out for 7 1/2 hours on one of the hottest days so far. We got up to another peak that was higher than the last one and back of it while seeing the town in the distance. Ron perched up on top and I took the photo. One side had a sheer drop. It seemed the further we went, the farther away Mt Alamos appeared. Once up and over one ridge, yet another one showed up. We followed cow trails, footpaths, and even a serious trail that might once have been part of the Gold mining that went on up here and once walked by men and mules. Some paths were crumbling away on the edge of serious drops and we marveled at the ability of the cows to traverse them. Wherever we went, there were signs of those indefagtible cows. The views were fabulous showing an endless panorama.
We would go from hot to cool as the slopes and valleys changed direction. We found different trees up on high ridges; oaks for example. Cactus all over the place and just about every tree and shrub had thorns.
We found a shady hollow for lunch with some of the old growth trees. Vines hanging down that made it more jungle like. There was a family of the exotic looking black-chinned magpie jays chirping in the canopy. Their long tails and fancy crests are quite amazing. Refreshed by food and water we climbed up yet another crest and realized that we had been gone awhile and if we wanted to get home we had better decide on a route back.
We dropped down into a secondary arroyo to follow it down to join the big one that leads to Alamos. It was a beautiful and spectacular descent. The water had carved out canyons and we had huge boulders and cliffs to go over and down. If the arroyo had been running there would have been some waterfalls. Some of these dry waterfalls were a bit of a challenge. My shorter legs and trepidation made it seem more scary than it was. Ron, an agile and experienced hiker, was a great partner. So we made it down and even found a delightful spot where the butterflies were feeding on minerals. I photographed a lovely iridescent blue one I had not seen before. Cows were met as they like the pools of water that are still abundant.
When we finally joined the main arroyo we headed up and alongside it as it was too hot. And we finally found an old rock wall that looked familiar and joined a trail we had been on on our last hike.
I hobbled into the casita, hot, thirsty, and footsore, but very happy. And it seems I may get up to Mt Alamos yet as there is a keen group who wants to go and if a guide can be found I will be in the party. I’ve got a few weeks left, so I am hoping.
This time we were out for 7 1/2 hours on one of the hottest days so far. We got up to another peak that was higher than the last one and back of it while seeing the town in the distance. Ron perched up on top and I took the photo. One side had a sheer drop. It seemed the further we went, the farther away Mt Alamos appeared. Once up and over one ridge, yet another one showed up. We followed cow trails, footpaths, and even a serious trail that might once have been part of the Gold mining that went on up here and once walked by men and mules. Some paths were crumbling away on the edge of serious drops and we marveled at the ability of the cows to traverse them. Wherever we went, there were signs of those indefagtible cows. The views were fabulous showing an endless panorama.
We would go from hot to cool as the slopes and valleys changed direction. We found different trees up on high ridges; oaks for example. Cactus all over the place and just about every tree and shrub had thorns.
We found a shady hollow for lunch with some of the old growth trees. Vines hanging down that made it more jungle like. There was a family of the exotic looking black-chinned magpie jays chirping in the canopy. Their long tails and fancy crests are quite amazing. Refreshed by food and water we climbed up yet another crest and realized that we had been gone awhile and if we wanted to get home we had better decide on a route back.
We dropped down into a secondary arroyo to follow it down to join the big one that leads to Alamos. It was a beautiful and spectacular descent. The water had carved out canyons and we had huge boulders and cliffs to go over and down. If the arroyo had been running there would have been some waterfalls. Some of these dry waterfalls were a bit of a challenge. My shorter legs and trepidation made it seem more scary than it was. Ron, an agile and experienced hiker, was a great partner. So we made it down and even found a delightful spot where the butterflies were feeding on minerals. I photographed a lovely iridescent blue one I had not seen before. Cows were met as they like the pools of water that are still abundant.
When we finally joined the main arroyo we headed up and alongside it as it was too hot. And we finally found an old rock wall that looked familiar and joined a trail we had been on on our last hike.
I hobbled into the casita, hot, thirsty, and footsore, but very happy. And it seems I may get up to Mt Alamos yet as there is a keen group who wants to go and if a guide can be found I will be in the party. I’ve got a few weeks left, so I am hoping.
