Stretch the Legs Day hike.

[mugs]

Well its been a bit since I have been able to get out. So I took advantage of some free time this afternoon and went on a day hike at one of my favorite places, a couple of mile away from my house.

Its known as Dishman hills, and is a 518 acre natural wildlife resource area.



I wanted to go for a bit of a walk and also do some 3 season gear testing since I am in the transition out of the winter mode.

On the way up the trail I could still see some of the snow clinging to the local hills that surround the valley I live in.



The weather was overcast and hailed on me a bit as well. But I was determined to make a hike out of the day any way. I went off trail a bit and found a "perfect spot" Located the tree's from which I shall mount my huggers and whoopies



Set my pack down



and proceeded to set up my hammock and tarp in view mode.



Once that was all done I then got my Esbit stove out and started to boil some water for lunch and some tea.



While waiting for my water to boil I just laid back and enjoyed the view from my hammock.



Looking north I was able to see the valley in which I live and Mt Spokane off in the distance about 20 miles away or so. Their still skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling up there for a few more weeks yet.





Off the east is a nice view of my immediate surroundings, and gives you all an idea of more or less what the terrain and scenery look like through out the natural area. Of course there are several peaks to enjoy some great views from, and some water falls and ponds as well.



Now my meal has at long enough and my water is done boiling for the tea, so I'll let that steap while I eat. I put a little too much water in, so instead of chili, I had soup



The wind has been picking up and coming right up the cliff face that I am perched a bit away from and really making me cold. So I put the tarp in low pitch storm mode, finished my tea and took a nap.



After a while I woke up and I fiddled around a bit with the hammock and tarp and just sat in it and enjoyed my views and watch the sun start to get lower and lower in the horizon...I attempted to take pics but the battery went dead (gonna have to remember to make sure that thing is charged all the time) on my camera, so I packed up and hiked back out to my car.

It felt good to get out, and I am glad I was able to tweak a few things on my gear. Can't wait for the next time out. Maybe Tuesday if I'm lucky.

[JayS]

Nice! A good stretch of the legs.

[carolinasbackpacker]

Looks like a great day!

[MedicineMan]

Mugs-thanks for letting us peek into your world. Great pics, dinner looked good, and the hanging rig look like home away from home.

[mbiraman]

Looked like a good day. Nice scenery and a nap (-:

[Kallorne]

I did the same just west of medical lake today... testing some hammock mods and a new DIY woodstove. That wind had a bite to it still a good day though. I sort of enjoy that kind of weather when I'm snug and dry under my tarp, managed to time the walk back home with the bit of sunshine a little before sundown. I'm loving the transition into warm weather

[OutandBack]

Excellent trip report and picts.
I love trips like this there's so easy to do and you can do them often.

thanks

[mugs]

Ya it was nice to get out. And I am truly blessed to live in the area of the U.S. that I live in. Not too many other places I would like to live...except more north like the Canadian Rockies.

[mugs]

I did the same just west of medical lake today

Over in Fishtrap, or more towards Turnbull ?

[Kallorne]

there's a little swath of public land between espanola and medical lake that's little used, so it's small but it does give me solitude, more time relaxing than hiking.