November 1, 2025
~ submitted by Matthew Lettington
While we didn’t have all the weather, we definitely experienced multiple seasons. We went up in the fall and came down in the spring!
Driving to the trailhead, I could barely get my vehicle up to the speed limit — it was hydroplaning so badly. Fortunately, by the time we regrouped at the trailhead, the deluge had settled into a steady drizzle.
The three of us took our time gaining the ridge, pausing often to enjoy the misty views and admire the towering trees.
As we crested the ridge, the wind picked up sharply. I was grateful for the extra layers I’d packed. With not much of a view out to the bay, we didn’t linger long before seeking the shelter of the forest.
Up top, the trails have really become well established. Even the old, disused routes have been nicely worn in. We trundled our way to the lookout at the north end of the ridge, where the rain finally began to ease — and, to our surprise, patches of blue sky appeared!
Retracing our steps, we soon found ourselves shedding layers as the air warmed. Somewhere along the way, it had quietly turned into a beautiful day.
After a quick stop to admire the giant boulder, we were back at the parking lot by mid-afternoon.