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Showing posts from June 25, 2012

Solo Sojourns...

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The other day, wanting to take advantage of still coolish temps, I took myself on a quiet little solo hike on the Ryan Mountain trail in Joshua Tree National Park.  I arrived at the parking lot around 6:30pm - not sure I'd have enough time to make it to the top and back before dark - I thought I'd give it an honest go and the weather was absolutely perfect - slight breeze, high 70's at the trailhead, skies that went on forever.... I was the only one there, well, human-wise anyway.  I used to hike alone all the time. Then, getting tired of conversations on the trail with only me, I started a hiking group back in 2009 - looking for kindred spirits to share the adventure with and perhaps going a little deeper into territories yet unexplored. Not a good idea to hike alone when you are 10+ miles into the desert wilderness on unfamiliar paths. Things can happen. So, nearly 3 successful and fun years of hiking with many new acquaintances covering many new miles of trails, I find