What Was I Thinking?

Devil's Punchbowl

4,740' elevation

Burkhart Trail

Saturday, January 23

Fail

The sciatica and neuropathy I've been suffering in my legs has not improved; so I thought I'd take a little walk on the Burkhart Trail, from the Devil's Punchbowl end, to see if I could work it out. What was I thinking? We arrived to find snow at that elevation and the parking lot an utter MESS. The wild animals were out of control (and by wild animals I mean the homo sapiens). I stayed only long enough to take a couple shots from the vista and help push a friend out of the parking lot. Poor Ranger Boy! What an awful day with the human side of the job. We made our escape and figured we'd come back another time!

As usual, click on any picture to see the larger version!

From the vista point.

Monday, January 25

A Short Walk
[200' (up and back down) elevation change]

I'm in too much pain; I GOTTA do SOMETHING! So late Monday afternoon, we headed back up to the Punchbowl. This time, the place was blissfully deserted but for the rangers and three people.

DS and I took a little walk up the Burkhart trail, but not terribly far. The altimeter showed we had gained 200 ft elevation before we turned around to beat the dark. The manzanitas up there were HUGE and fairly lush.

Today's vista shot.

And if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills...

Burkhart Trail signpost in the snow.


I think the photos on this blog have probably established
I really like the color and texture of manzanita bark!

Looking back at Punchbowl Creek canyon rocks.

Big manzanitas up here!

It was sunset as we were leaving; I snapped this shot from a road west of the Punchbowl looking back southEAST at the setting sun reflected in the snow on the surrounding mountain peaks.

Life is still good, pain and all...