June 2 - 4, 2012
The first hike I ever took with Andy was to Toleak Point in 2008 on Memorial Day weekend. We had heavy packs and it was very, very muddy. This time the trail was still muddy, but our packs were light and we knew what to expect. It's actually an easy hike. I remembered it being hard probably because of all the mud and rope-assisted climbing. We spent two nights here again. Camping on the beach and listening to the crashing waves as you fall asleep - there's just nothing like it.
After setting up camp we explored around the beach. It was a nice and relaxing day. Second day we attempted to hike to Oil City, but the first stream crossing was deep and the trail was overgrown so we turned back hung around the beach some more.
Much of the trail looked like this. It'll suck yer shoe right off!
Bah, high tide. Decided to wait it out under a quick tarp shelter Andy whipped up since it started raining. I'm making lunch under there. We could have climbed up the left side of the cliff, but looked muddy and slippery. A few young guys did. We ended up on the other side before they did.
Cliff side is much higher than it looks in this picture. I believe this is Scott's Bluff. There are a couple headland passes on this hike and this is one of them. Ropes are available and tend to get muddy and prickly, but there's no other choice.
Buoy Tree!
Low tide.
Campsite
Beautiful. Roaming around on the beach on a lovely afternoon.
Long jump competition to pass the time and exfoliate our feet.
The sun is starting to set.
Hot cocoa and a sunset on the beach.
Attempted a day hike to Mosquito Creek, but the river/stream crossings were too high and the trail was muddy and overgrown so we turned back here.
There was quite a bit of debris from Japan that had washed up on the beach like this mouthwash container.
Strawberry Point is only accessible during low tide. The following pictures are from us exploring this area.That sandbar walkway is completely covered with water during high tide.
Careful! Rocks are slippery
Lots of little critters exposed
It was too slippery for us to go in the cavern area (we were in flip flops), but we met a couple who went in and said it was pretty cool in there.
Seals, I think. Can you see?
Headed back to site for more relaxing and beach walking.
"2012 A Beach Odyssey"
