Red Rock Trail - Sanistas Valley

A wonderful day for those who love the outdoors.  No way would I choose to stay in the house on a day like this.  The predawn chill would be gone by the time the bus pulled out of the ACAA (Aurora Center for Active Adults) parking lot.

The usual hiker conversations i.e., politics, grandchildren, taxes, retirement, ensued all the way to Boulder.  High Country Hikers (HCH) are always excited about the thought of spending another day experiencing Colorado up close.

Hikers focus on their footing and the position of their poles for stability and balance.

Thirteen hikers (max for the bus) today, including two first-timers, would enjoy the day.  One of the two new additions is Mary Kay Ryan, a yoga instructor from Aurora.  The other, Esther Robinson, a woman with some hiking to her credit, all of it a number of years ago.  Both women are eager to get on trail and prove they still have the mental and physical strength to hike.

At the Mount Sanistas TH, on the edge of Boulder, everyone is cinched in their day packs and ready for trail duty in a matter of minutes after the door to the bus opened.  The Red Rock trail provided an immediate challenge.  Faced with the challenge of completing much of the elevation gain we would experience all day in the first thirty minutes, was daunting to some.

As we gained elevation, moderate size switchbacks and rest stops provided relief for those less experienced.  The first half mile of trail presented hikers with solid rock steps (some very high), moderate soil erosion, exposed root growth, and loose and stable rock.  How would they fare?

The steep section is behind us.  We can begin to enjoy the view.

One of the new hikers was wearing new ( broke in) boots.  She soon learned she did need one more thing...hiking poles.  Seeing the difficulty she was having, Gary2 offered her his poles for the day.  She accepted, and never regretted it.  In fact, the poles may be the reason she ended the hike with a smile.

Soon, the group arrived at a trail junction overlooking Boulder.  Time was taken to document the day with a group photo.  Those smiles, they are genuine. 

Eight of thirteen hikers used poles today.

Looking North, we could see trail snaking through the wide expanse of the Sanistas Valley. It actually descended some before making a meandering steady climb to a rock formation on Dakota Ridge.  Along the way patches of wild plum were in full bloom.  It's a bit early for lunch but everyone has expended energy.  Mumblings of 'Are we stopping here for lunch?' secured the decision to stop.

Mary K. Ryan secures lunch items back in her pack for the descent to the TH.

A nice spot among the rock formations of Dakota Ridge.  Blooming prickly pear and hunger cactus, holly grape, and yellow dwarf wallflowers dotted the hillsides in the area.  Virtually no breeze and just enough warmth from the sun made it an ideal place to rest the body and the mind.

Jonelle and Clietta enjoying  the surroundings over lunch.

Our descent from Dakota Ridge was slowed by rocks until we reached the Dakota Ridge Trail.

Jonelle and Betty slowly make their way off Dakota Ridge and back to trail.

One last opportunity to see Boulder from atop Dakota Ridge.  Some ravens are perched atop the rocks behind us.  They seem to be cawwwling us to leave so they can have their valley back.

The last up is to the trail junction we passed through this morning.  Hikers become little silhouettes against the afternoon sky.

Nobody can accurately assess the amount of good, one receives from an activity like hiking.  The website, modernhiker.com says, "...Stop all the studies, research, and questionnaires.  Let's all just agree that hiking is the absolute, hands-down, best d__n exercise around."
  

One of the many red rock formations in Dakota Ridge.

We asked first time hiker, Mary K. Ryan, how she felt physically the day after the hike.  "Fantastic, she said.  "Today, I walked four miles and tonight I have two yoga classes to instruct.  As for members of the HCH, Ryan added "It's a delightful group, I enjoyed it."

What we do know is hiking makes you smarter.  Hiking has a meditative effect.  It even gives you a good grasp on life.  It's cheap, it's easy, and it gives you a better understanding of the local and global environment.
If you didn't get the message yet, let me end with this.  Hiking reduces depression.  Hiking reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugars and increases glucose tolerance.

High Country Hikers (HCH) is a group of over 50 men and women who enjoy the outdoors and the sport of hiking.  Hikes are planned and scheduled by staff at ACAA, 30 Del Mar Circle, Aurora, Co. 80011.  Members hike on Tuesday each week from April through early October.  Call 303-739-7950 to register.  Journal entries, including photo images, are posted after each hike on this blog.  So visit this site often to read about their journey.

NOTE:  Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 10th.  A day hike is being offered to those who first donate to PAR (Parkinson's Association of the Rockies).  The process is simple.  By reading this post, you are on the home page.  Click on "Donate" at top right.  Follow instructions on the form.  Then call or email the hiker to register.   Hike categories include: Dedicated - 6 mi. O/B - moderate; Fair Weather - 3 mi.O/B - moderate; Diagnosed with a Parkinsonian-type disease i.e.PSP - Progressive Supranuclear Palsy; CBD - Corticobasal Degeneration; MSA - Multiple System Atrophy; Vascular Parkinsonism; Dementia ith Lewy bodies

You can also click on "Hike the Canyon" Fundraiser in the list of postings in blog archives.