Took another Friday afternoon (evening, actually) walk with Raleigh up to Fremont Older. We had a beer bash at work so I could get out reasonably early again. I remember now that the week before Kai let us out early (he was heading out on vacation and was feeling generous, I suppose).
We did just about the same hike we had done Wed morning. Well, not quite. I headed up the hillside (cross country) from the bend in the road near the Creekside trail (following a firebreak, so it isn't like I'm trodding on untouched soil or anything). At the top, Raleigh picked up the scent of something and we went across the grassy hillside across the Haystack trail (fire road). There was a coyote sitting in the grass there. They sometimes give Raleigh fits because he doesn't quite know what to make of them. They look like dogs, but probably don't smell like normal dogs. And they aren't with any people.
Anyway, we headed back over to the road. A passing bicyclist remarked that the ranger was parked on the road up by Hunter's Point and he might write me a ticket for going off-trail.
Imagine that! I told the bicyclist that they'd have to drag me kicking and screaming out of my land (or my portion of the public's land; my portion being that part which is well off the trail). Actually, I checked the sign on the way out and it said that bicyclists and equestrians must remain on designated trails. Which means, to me, that us folks on foot can go wherever the hell we please (even if it does mean regretting it a week later when the poison oak is at its worst).
Well, I headed towards the ranger but before getting there, I turned off on a short spur road, went cross country (take that!) up to Hunters Point, then down and around, returning back by the road and Creekside trail.
Arrived back at the car at sunset minus 30 seconds. We're getting pretty good at that.
I've been studying the map and am planning a "Compleat Fremont Older" expedition which will have us covering every inch of trail in one outing (plus maybe Parker Ranch Trail to boot). There are a maze of trail in this park! Could require lots of advance planning to make sure we don't miss any. Could be a good candidate for a moonlight, covert operation (as this park definitely closes after dark).
I do believe one could park at the foot of Parker Ranch Trail withnodifficulty, however...watch for an update soon. Full moon is on April 2.
Hike totals: 2 miles, 200' elevation gain
2007 totals: 106 miles, 24,600' elevation gain
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