Saturday the 30th turned out to be something special. This time I got up at 4:30 to clear skies and an expected warmer day, warmer than last week.
Again I had oatmeal and raisins, got dressed, and hit the trail up Mt.Si at 6am sharp. I got an open parking space right next to the trailhead, and there were about 10 other cars in the lot, and 3 people started just ahead of me. I didn’t see them again until the top, but I did pass about 10 people already coming down, so some either went for a run or were up there for sunrise. Only a couple of people passed me, but otherwise it was steady the whole way. I didn’t really take a break anywhere, but I nibbled on some almonds and drank water from my pack as I walked. I arrived at the top right at 8 so just two hours, typical for me.
Being so early I had my choice of resting spots and chose my usual highest point(except for the haystack). I rested there for an hour and a half drying out and enjoying the sun. Ate my peanut butter and pickled watermelon sandwich(think sweed pickles but sweeter-don’t knock it, its pretty good) and a trailbar, then took some pictures of the view and of a mountain goat.
I brought an inflatable pillow with me so I lied down on the flattest part of my perch and put my cap over my eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze and warm sun. More and more people began arriving, of course this nice of a Saturday would bring throngs, and come they did. Another couple and their dog came up to my perch looking for a place to take some pictures. While I didn’t really mind, most people will not try to join someone else in a particular spot, they’ll have a little etiquette and find something else nearby, but there’s always some that don’t care and just go where they want regardless of anothers little private space. Its like being in an empty movie theater and someone always has to sit right in front of you or at least closer than you might choose to if you were them. Anyway, it had been well over an hour at that point so I decided it was time to head down.
There were literally hundreds coming up. I didn’t bother to count but I was lucky to find just the right spot between parties about a mile down to pee. Good thing I did because I wouldn’t get another chance. Another etiquette point here, I run into a lot of men who don’t really care who sees them going. But at least I haven’t run into any women doing that! Actually I don’t know what they do when they have to go, with that many people around. Go way off trail I suppose. Anyway, when I got back to the car, it was 11:30 and the lot was full and excess parking was going onto the street, even around some signs that clearly said no parking anytime. Busiest I’ve ever seen it. Glad I left at 6!
11 pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/cattrain1989/2009_0530MtSi#