Sunday, February 8, 2015

DARN NEAR KILLED US……LOL

Sunday, February 8 - We hiked the Lyykens Trail up into the San Jacinto Mountains overlooking Palm Springs, CA, this morning.....ugh! We could either enter the trail from the North where it is rated "moderate" or from the South where it is rated "strenuous." We really didn't make an obvious decision. We simply followed the directions to the trail and found ourselves at the South trailhead, so we decided to head out and turn around if it became too difficult.

The trial is well defined and consists of many, many, many switchbacks leading up the mountain. We gained 1000' in elevation over a distance of about three miles to the top.

We should have known better when we saw this on the map.
Lykken Trail

Lykken Trail

Lykken Trail

Lots of beauty along the trail.
Lykken Trail

We saw several people running up or down that mountain. We thought them nuts!
Lykken Trail

The views from the top were fabulous. We overlooked downtown Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley.

Lykken Trail

The next photo is for our son-in-law, Dave. See all the green down there Dave. It is what they call a golf course. Show us one of these this time of the year in Ohio…lol

Lykken Trail

Our friends Pam and John always eat lunch at the top of the mountain calling it "lunch with a view."  We are a little earlier risers getting on the trail at about 7 a.m., so we sat at a picnic table (must have been brought up by mules in pieces) and had "breakfast with a view!"

Lykken Trail

Lykken Trail

Then, of course, we had to either return the way we came or continue on to the North trailhead and find a way back to our car. We chose to return the way we came. Let us tell you, it's significantly easier going down then up. But still no walk in the park!

Lykken Trail

We certainly consider this the most strenuous hike we've ever done and are proud of our accomplishment by making it to the top. There was a point near the top that we thought be were going to throw in the towel, but pride won out and we persevered.

1,500’ feet, we still love our Buckeyes.
OHIO BUCKEYES

We had a big surprise yesterday. While Paul was sitting outside, a gentleman with a dog walked up to him. Paul recognized them both instantly. It was Rick and Rylie. We talked nonstop for about an hour. It was a really nice visit. We are getting together with Rick and Paulette on Tuesday for breakfast. Thanks for stopping over Rick and bringing Rylie. He is one well-behaved dog.

Rylie and Rick

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

19 comments:

  1. now that looks like a great hike... hard but great!

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  2. great job on the hike! looks like the two of you 'broke a sweat'..
    nice to see Rick's smiling face!!

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  3. oh wow. . .1000 feet up. . .you guys never cease to amaze. . .

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  4. You sure had a great workout, nice that you met Rick And Rylie too.

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  5. Looks like you had a great view! Why not eat breakfast with a view?

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  6. Breakfast with a view! I wonder when I can have one of those. That looked like you had a good workout, my kind of hike.

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  7. Now that is definitely our kind of hike! Don't you feel so great when you actually make it to the top and look out at the marvelous view and say to yourself "I did it!". I love that feeling of accomplishment. Good for you guys, and what a beautiful view it is! Hope you went and had an ice cream after that hike, seeing as it was too early for a beer. :-)

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  8. The Lykken Trail hike is a real killer for sure. I tried it a couple of years ago but never did get to the top like you and Paul did. I think I climbed for an hour and said "that's enough" so congrats to you both.

    I enjoyed our visit the other day and Paulette and I are looking forward to meeting you for breakfast tomorrow!

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  9. Congrats on conquering the mountain. Keep it up and you may be joining all those runners. Looking forward to seeing you again.

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  10. Looks like a great hike with stunning views. Love seeing wildflowers at this time of year. Sure beats shoveling snow, doesn't it?

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  11. WOW! That looks like a great hike, but I think I'd be afraid to look down.... afraid I'd fall and roll down over the side of the trail. (and I had to look twice at the "Ohio" scene.. I thought you'd found some fellow Buckeyes to help you out until I did a second look. Being from Athens, OH, I like your style.

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  12. What a neat hike! I like when they stretch the climb out over several miles, sure helps the legs. I like hiking on the side of the hill so you can see the beautiful view below. Love your "breakfast" with a view:) With the warmer temps getting out early is nice. The thing I like most about hiking without a group is that you can go at your speed and stop as often as you need. As John always says when we have a tough climb, we have all day and this isn't a race. Good you stuck with it and had that amazing view from the top:)

    How nice to meet Rick and Rylie! Enjoy your get together with Rick and Paulette. I am sure it will be a great time.

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  13. Oh my! Certainly more than I could do. That's a long way up.

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  14. Wow! What anaccomplishment...and what a reward! Were you able to see the San Andres Fault from up there? What fun to meet Rylie in person and to visit with his peep.

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  15. Strenuous to us means 'turn around'.

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  16. Great hike! we'll have to look for it next time we are there!

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  17. We did the South Lykken hike a couple of weeks ago…what fun! Too bad you weren't distracted like we were by the bighorn sheep. Congratulations on completing the hike. There are certainly some steep parts to that trail. :)

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