After work today I went hiking with Melissa at Chip Ross Park. Summer is almost over and fall is fast approaching. You can tell it by the look of the valley and by the leaves on the trees.
Chip Ross, Dimple Hill, and McCulloch Peak in an Afternoon
This afternoon I went on what turned into a 15 mile hike from Chip Ross Park to Dimple Hill then onward to McCulloch Peak and finally terminating at Oak Creek when I ran out of light. Brent was kind enough to pick me up and take me back to my car. On the path between Chip Ross Park and Dimple Hill, I stumbled upon this rather large snake. No clue what species it is. The head didn’t look correct to be poisonous and there was no rattle. I still gave it a wide berth.
After reaching the top of Dimple Hill, I descended down the north face. This was the first time in a number of years that I had taken this route. It is still just as fun as the last time I did it.
A panorama from partway down the trail. Click for a much larger version.
On top of the false summit of McCulloch Peak. There is a gravel quarry operation just below me.
The real summit of McCulloch Peak. After taking this, I ran down the mountain to Oak Creek where Brent came and collected me. 15 miles in four hours is quite good. Next time maybe I will continue onward to Fitton Green and end up at Bald Hill.
Evening Walk with Claire and Heather
A few days ago I went for a walk in the direction of Chip Ross Park with Claire and Heather. We left the pavement at the end of Kings where the road has been stubbed out into a new development.
Claire walking through the tall grass. There were a couple cottontail rabbits hopping around in the bushes that Lilly, Heather’s dog, kept looking for.
The normal trail I take was almost completely grown over. You can barely see Lilly on the path in front of me due to all the greenery.
Heading down the power line right-of-way back to town.