Michael Irvine

Michael Irvine

Hike the Estero Trail

05/17/18

Not as much of a review as an update on trail closure and predator sightings. On 3/31/18 I hiked a section of the Estero Trail starting at the from the Glenbrook Trail where it meets the Muddy Hollow Road. Hiking south the Glenbrook Trail joins and come the Estero Trail 0.67 miles from Muddy Hollow Road. From there the trail continues south before bending back north where is splits about 2.15 miles after crossing the Glenbrook Trail. During this section I was able to get some great up-close views of a few Northern Harriers and also saw a couple Garter Snakes and a bunch of Tule Elk. Where the Estero Trail splits south and north (2.15 miles from the junction with the Glenbrook Trail, GPS 38.0425, -122.8888) the section that goes south is closed. There is a fence and what little remains of the trail is overgrown. Do not plan on going this way! The section that goes north seems to be mostly traveled by horses as I saw no other footprints, only horse prints, that is in addition to multiple the Mountain Lion prints I saw. After reaching the next junction with the Muddy Hollow Trail and turning left (northeast) toward Laguna Road I saw a sign at the end of Laguna Road warning of a recent Mountain Lion sighting. The recommendations on the warning were to not hike alone, don't crouch down, and down hike near dawn or dusk. Mountain Lions are ambush predators, so wearing sunglasses on the back of your head might also not be a bad idea. Overall it was a beautiful hike and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a more remote hike. I look forward to hiking the more western sections of the trail in the near future.

5.0

Michael Irvine

Hike through Pinnacles Valley at Crater Lake NP

01/05/17

More of a nature trail than a hike, but still worth doing in my book. The views are pretty good and the geology is fascinating. If you're doing the Plaikni Falls hike, which I recommend, it's worth the short and beautiful drive a bit further down the road to this trail.

3.0