Our last hike of the season (Deer Springs Trail to Suicide Rock) with the Seniors to Idyllwild, about an hours drive from Indio. Drove through this quaint alpine village...reminded us of Tahoe. Much cooler up here than down in the valley. A great place to hike during our 90+ degree days now.
Fifteen of us hikers...and after I took this picture...realized that I was the only "girl".
I'm such a trooper!
Resting as we're heading up...have to climb 1800 feet to get to the Rock. Lots of ponderosa pines and granite formations.
Stopping for a break...one hiker turned around already...decided it was going to be too difficult for him. We've come 3 miles so far....and it's all UP!
Only another mile to go...we're still smilin'.
Some water falls on Strawberry Creek...yep...looks like Tahoe.
Only wildlife that I saw was this little mouse...caught a picture of him as he came running down a tree.
We made it to the top and was supposed to enjoy a 360-degree view of Garner Valley below and the Santa Ana Mountains on the horizon, but the fog had come in...yep...looks like Tahoe.
(Kind of reminded me of the infamous Rifle Peak hike)
This was Allan's vantage point to look down (he's afraid of heights).
(Also reminded me of Yosemite.)
I went out a little farther...decided not to climb up on that rock behind me, though.
However, some of the guys decided to show off a little bit.
And our group on top...
In the clouds...had to take one last picture here before we headed down.
An interesting branch...a perfect spot for a picture, don't you think?
Heading down...Allan and I were the last on the trail...my knees were hurting. Allan said, "turn around, Janet"...that's a grimace on my face. I told our hike leader that I have renamed this hike "Suicide Knees". Thank goodness for hiking poles!
Only blooms were the manzanitas...no desert flowers up here.
Needless to say, we were exhausted by the time we got back to Indio...was an all day affair. But we hiked 8 miles with an 1800 foot elevation gain...glad this was the last one of the season. Once we got home, we immediately put on our bathing suits and headed for the jacuzzi and pool...oh, how our muscles needed that!
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