Autumn Sampler

All images (except the last) are from the Bar Canyon Trail in Soledad Canyon

Dr. K and I headed out for an early hike into Soledad Canyon today, and ours was the first vehicle in the parking lot.  But trekking up canyon--just before we reached the intersection with the Bar Canyon Loop Trail--we realized that a slender, older woman was right behind us.  When we stepped aside to let her pass, she said, "There's a touch of autumn in the air this morning."  And, indeed, there was, the temperature about 64F at that moment.  We're slated to reach a high of 101F today, well above normal for this time of year.  What a disparity in temperatures, huh?

After hiking across one of the major arroyos west of the mountains we stopped for a water break at elevation; from there we could see several other hikers on the trail far below.  We encountered others--two young men speaking American Sign Language--at the bench where the loop trail intersects the main one.  We bumped into several other trekkers on our way back to the parking lot, including a man hiking with a very well-behaved Pitbull.

Considering we had to take this hike without Becca--the most enthusiastic hiker of our group--Dr. K and I had a nice outing in the Organ Mountains. 

Commander waits