Sharing a trail with friends
Sorry for being a day late this week, but I was busy hiking Marmot Pass yesterday and yes I'm sore this morning. Last week I had the great pleasure of sharing a trail with Karen Johnson. Most of you know Karen as the lovely person who sent out hiking notices for 30 years prior to my stepping into the role. Just think about that for a second!
Karen & I were sauntering down from an amazing field of bear grass at the top of Tunnel Creek when our trail talk turned to the way things used to be when the Monday hikers started back in the 1970s. One of the original hikers was a gentleman named Dick Cleven. This was before Garmin devices, Google maps and Gaia apps. So people had to actually know where they were going! And Dick was a master. The group would come to a completely unmarked trail intersection and everyone would turn to Dick. Go right! Dave was always right.
As time passed, Dick stopped going to the end of the trail. To let everyone know he was OK, he would leave two crossed branches in the trail where he stopped to go home.
As will happen for us all, Dick's hiking days came to a close. Karen and the hikers attended his memorial and built a flower arrangement incorporating Dick's boots and some wildflowers. Just as the memorial came to a close, one of the attendees ran outside, gathered two sticks and crossed them in front of Dick's boots.
Needless to say, Karen & I shared a tear, big smiles and a hug on this hike. Thank you, Karen, for being my mentor. Here is what is planned for this coming Monday:
Walkers: The Walkers are hiking the Hansville Beach to the West starting at Norwegian Point Park (to the right of the Hansville Store). They will carpool in Poulsbo at the North Viking Park & Ride (in the very back), departing at 9:30am or meet at Norwegian Point Park parking lot (address 38800-38952 Hansville Rd NE, Hansville, WA 98340) for a 10:10 am start.
Hikers: The hikers will hike Tubal Cain (with cooler weather this time). They will carpool in Poulsbo, departing at 7:30 am.
Mountain Goats: The Mountain Goats will hike Mount Zion from the Snow Creek Trailhead. They will carpool in Poulsbo, departing at 8am.
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