After a wonderful Friday evening, the plan was to get up for an early hike with a friend and sine of his students that he mentors. Unfortunately, he had car issues, so that plan got postponed. I didn't mine to much, as this past week has been tough, not getting enough sleep and all.
I did take a nap, and after waking up decided to go on a hike myself. So I packed up my stuff and drove of to do a trail that I haven't visited in awhile.
Getting to the top of Echo Mountain can be a trek. Two and a half miles of almost constant climbing. In the afternoon, little shade, and countless switchbacks.
I started my hike at four o'clock. The way up to the top is well marked and easy to follow. During the trip up, you're given several opportunities to see the San Gabriel valley down below. On this particular day, the smog is thick, but you can still make out DTLA.
I make it to the top in just over an hour and 15 minutes. When I get up there, there's only a few people at the top, and they're heading back down. This gives me an opportunity to spend some time at the top alone and by myself.
A take the time to meditate and reflect. Listening to the wind blow, the distant humming of cars far off. Birds chirping as they fly around in the beautiful late afternoon sky. As I spend the short time by myself at the top, others begin to trickle up. As I wait for the sun to set, more and more people come up. They begin to set up for what looks to be a potluck. People trekked up pizza, wine, chips and dips, jello shots, and so much more. People young and old, males and females, health and well the not so healthy. All meeting up at the top for some good eats and company. It was really nice to see.
As the sun began to set, I started taking my pictures. I got some amazing photos that I'll share. As I packed up to head down, one of the hikers asked if I was going to stay to get shots of the moon. Unfortunately I wasn't, but I kind of wished I had. Biggest and brightest Moon of the year...it would have been some great shots.
So making my way down, something confused me. Why would people go hiking and not be prepared for the hike. As soon as the Sun went down, it began getting dark and cold very quickly. As I made my way down, people I saw didn't have extra warm clothes or lights. One guy was even coming down on the dark trail using his smart phone as his light source. Needless to say I slowed down so he could follow me.
All in all I had a great time. I got to be alone to think and reflect. I might need to do more late night hikes when the Moon is out and full, but for now, I'll just enjoy the photos that I took.
I did take a nap, and after waking up decided to go on a hike myself. So I packed up my stuff and drove of to do a trail that I haven't visited in awhile.
Getting to the top of Echo Mountain can be a trek. Two and a half miles of almost constant climbing. In the afternoon, little shade, and countless switchbacks.
I started my hike at four o'clock. The way up to the top is well marked and easy to follow. During the trip up, you're given several opportunities to see the San Gabriel valley down below. On this particular day, the smog is thick, but you can still make out DTLA.
I make it to the top in just over an hour and 15 minutes. When I get up there, there's only a few people at the top, and they're heading back down. This gives me an opportunity to spend some time at the top alone and by myself.
A take the time to meditate and reflect. Listening to the wind blow, the distant humming of cars far off. Birds chirping as they fly around in the beautiful late afternoon sky. As I spend the short time by myself at the top, others begin to trickle up. As I wait for the sun to set, more and more people come up. They begin to set up for what looks to be a potluck. People trekked up pizza, wine, chips and dips, jello shots, and so much more. People young and old, males and females, health and well the not so healthy. All meeting up at the top for some good eats and company. It was really nice to see.
As the sun began to set, I started taking my pictures. I got some amazing photos that I'll share. As I packed up to head down, one of the hikers asked if I was going to stay to get shots of the moon. Unfortunately I wasn't, but I kind of wished I had. Biggest and brightest Moon of the year...it would have been some great shots.
So making my way down, something confused me. Why would people go hiking and not be prepared for the hike. As soon as the Sun went down, it began getting dark and cold very quickly. As I made my way down, people I saw didn't have extra warm clothes or lights. One guy was even coming down on the dark trail using his smart phone as his light source. Needless to say I slowed down so he could follow me.
All in all I had a great time. I got to be alone to think and reflect. I might need to do more late night hikes when the Moon is out and full, but for now, I'll just enjoy the photos that I took.
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