Picture of the week - Bluegill

The mighty Fly Fisherman

Stimpson Nature Reserve Trailblazer hike

A hike and a picnic were on the schedule for our Senior Trailblazer's today. The Trailblazers groups 1 and 2 would be joining at Lake Padden, after our separate hikes for a potluck lunch. I hike with group 2, they would be hiking the Stimpson Reserve trail. This is one of my favorite trails to run. Hmmm a quandary for me, to run after our hike or go to the picnic. Since I would already be at the trail, the decision was fairly easy for me to make.
I came this morning prepared to hike and then run. 

Eight of us met for the hike -

We walked around the main loop trail and skipped Geneva Pond so the hikers could get to Lake Padden in time for the picnic.

If you look right in the center of the next picture you will see one of the deer we came across while we were hiking.
(You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it.)

Our group including a new person "Joe" -

and thanks to Joe, one with me in it!

On our way out we spotted this log covered with mushrooms, I looked them up when I got home and I believe they are "Angel Wings", but I could be wrong.

Total miles hiked with the Trailblazers -

Endomondo stats:
3.33 total miles hiked
542 Min. altitude
840 Max. altitude
444 Total ascent
426 Total descent

Since there are no restrooms at the Stimpson Nature Reserve parking lot, I drove down the road a short ways to the Lookout mtn. parking lot to change my clothes.

I thought it would be nice to run the opposite direction we had hiked and to include the Geneva pond loop. We hiked clockwise so I ran the trail counterclockwise. It's always surprising to me how an area can look so different just by turning around.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time alone in the forest. 

4.4 total miles of trail running bliss!