Trails?

This morning we drove around to Buckhorn Campground to check it out and to hike the Buckhorn Area Trail, described on the trail map as leading along the lake from the first picnic area to Campground Loop D. We parked at the picnic area and found the little sign with a hiker icon that marks hiking trails.

Unfortunately, that's the last sign of a trail that we found. We struck out in the proper direction and searched for a trail with no luck, so we just walked along the lake, mainly in the lakebed that was exposed by the low water level. We saw some geese standing on a sandbank. They saw us and started to make loud alarm calls and then swam away. A duck seemed about to take off across the lake, but instead of lifting off it dived.

As we came close to the campground we finally found a definite trail. Unfortunately much of it was along deeply eroded channels or over exposed roots. We enjoyed walking through the campground. Then we decided to try to trace the trail back, starting with the part we had discovered leading close to the campground. After a while we realized that the trail had disappeared and we were circling back toward the campground. We gave up on finding the trail and walked back along the road to the parking lot where we had left the truck.

A park worker who had seen us strike out earlier was weed whacking. He asked if we had enjoyed our hike. When we told him we hadn't been able to find the trail, he said that he had suggested to his boss that the trail needed clearing, only to hear that it wasn't used enough to warrant clearing. That sounds a bit like a Catch 22--not many people will hike a trail they can't find!

After having a sandwich at Subway, we went to the Vendome Well and Flower Park area and walked around. We found the Black Sulphur Spring--first by smelling it. Then we drove to the Rock Creek Campground and Bromide Hill. The map showed a trail from the hill to the campground. We started along it, happily noting that it was a well-marked trail and easy to follow. Then it also played out. We ended up backtracking, glad that we had the GPS crumb trail to follow.

[photos later]


Tonight we took a short bike ride around the campground. It's all uphill and down, so we were either flying downhill or struggling uphill, but the uphill part wasn't quite as difficult as it was yesterday. Maybe my leg muscles are getting the message.

Tomorrow is forecast to be cooler and rainy; Saturday is expected to be even chillier and rainier, so we probably won't have much chance to enjoy the outdoors.