The Lowest Common Denominator
Good afternoon everyone, I have a little residual math lesson (relating to risk rather than arithmetic) for everyone today: when out on a hike or sharing a ride, let’s all remember to default to the Lowest Common Denominator in what we do, especially in winter and during this Omicron surge. As an example, the Goats headed up to Hurricane Ridge for a snowy (actually icy) adventure on Monday. The weather was glorious, but feet of powder had been replaced with crunchy ice. So most people opted for microspikes rather than snowshoes. A conversation with Rangers let us know that the main trail, while not an avalanche risk, was quite slick. So we decided as a group to all (at least all who were together) go “over the top” rather than taking the main trail, even though there was a trail. This honored the LCD of the most risk-averse hiker: a good idea anytime but especially in winter. The same holds true for masking if we choose to carpool. Here is what is planned for the coming Monday: Walkers: The Walkers are hiking Fort Ward on Bainbridge Island, starting at the boat launch (Address: 2241 Pleasant Beach, Bainbridge Island WA 98110). They will carpool in Poulsbo at the North Viking Park & Ride (in the very back), departing at 9:30am or meet at the Fort Ward parking lot to start at 10am. Hikers: The hikers will hike Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve (also known as Shore to Shore) on Bainbridge. Depart Poulsbo P&R lot at 8 am or meet the group at Lynnwood Center on Bainbridge at 8:30 am. Parking & Trail directions: The best place to park at Lynwood Center is in the lot to the east (near the grocery store). Walk east from the lot & turn left onto NE Baker Rd. Follow the attached map: Walk up NE Baker Rd and turn right at Listening Ave NE (#16 on map). At #15, turn left onto Peters Trail. Follow that trail to a 2nd small parking lot (#10), turn right onto Gazzam Main Trail and follow it. At #8, the trail divides into 2 trails, take either which will continue to lead you on the Gazzam Lake Main Trail. At #3, there is a kiosk, turn left and follow the trail (#1) down to the water. Mountain Goats: The Goats will try to reach the trailhead and hike Tunnel Creek. If we find trees and/or ice blocking the road, we will hike the Lower Big Quilcene. Bring microspikes and a saw. They will depart from the Poulsbo Viking Park & Ride at 8am. Walkers: Fort Ward: https://biparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/trail_FW_web_map.pdf Hikers: Gazzam Lake Shore to Shore: https://hikermark1.wixsite.com/kitsapmondayhikers/news-updates Mountain Goats: Tunnel Creek: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/tunnel-creek-1
Mark
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