Hot Springs Mountain

First day of Spring Break, let's go!!

Started my hike off Vicki Ln. I tried shuffling around the sleeping bag, tent, and bear canister, but in the end left the overnight gear in the truck. Pack is heavy enough without it!

Started up the sandy road and just kept plugging along, knowing I wasn't trying to keep up with anyone nor on a time limit, so I just moved at my own pace and took my time to not overdo it. This is my first day with a full pack on.

Met some nice folks with two little dogs. The lady asked if I was camping or training for the Rim Trail. Both! So talked with them a bit about the guided hikes the TRT is doing this year. Bade them farewell and continued on.

My view of Hot Springs has always just been this jut of rock out in the valley. Kinda like Prison Hill. But once I crested the ridge, I was surprised to find an off-road playground, lots of hills, gullys roads, twists, and various peaks. I've so got to get back up here in the truck!

Watched a black pickup struggle a bit on the sandy entrance, before they finally came up and passed me to head into a gully to set up some targets - more on them in a bit.

I hiked up the ridgeline, following the road towards the cache I was after. I'd thought it was on an outcrop of rock, but no, turned out to be right on the top ridge with an awesome view of the valley. So I decided to eat my lunch while sitting there enjoying the morning.

weeee-zzzzzzz

huh? What was that?

BULLETS!!!! I dove behind a rock, sat huddled (and Twittering my situation) as several bullets came whizzing over the ridge above and around me. I'm convinced they were ricochet, simply because I could hear them and they were slow. But still! During a break, grabbed my gear and ran for it.

The detour around those guys took me past a herd of deer with one unhappy about my presence. I was shooed away by his head motion and continued huffing everytime I paused.

Stopped by the next cache, then followed the trail from the old mine tailings to the rock house ruin before heading down the ravine and picking up the next cache. By that time my feet were killing me, so I called for a ride and was taken back to the truck.

Yippee!!! I hiked UP and OVER Hot Springs Mountain!