3/20/10 Champlain S. Ridge

Mary joined us to finish a hike we had not been able to finish awhile back because of an appointment. The day started out on the cool side but sunny. We parked at Sand Beach and took the Bowl Trail to the Bowl and Champlain S. Ridge Trail


Kelley wondering why we are so slow

At the Bowl she jumped in and tried to get up on the ice

but then just had a little swim and an exuberant exit.

The trail starts out gradually in woods but opens up fairly soon

and is rigorous with some fairly steep sections and several spots where Kelley had to find her own way up. There are also a couple of points at which you think you see the summit only to arrive and find another beyond. This is not the summit.

Lots of great views and warm enough now that we were hiking in shirt sleeves.



After a snack at the summit we returned the way we had come. The views are all before you on the way down.


The hike took 4 hours back to the parking lot which was now almost full of cars. The temperature was now in the upper 60's and we went down to check out the beach and there were lots of people having picnics, throwing Frisbees, and even two young girls in the water ( the water temperature rarely exceeds 55 in the summer). Kelley was very excited and had a great deal of fun but I got no pictures because we were busy keeping her from annoying anyone. A great day.

Addendum

Though I didn't get a picture of Kelley on the beach a man we met did and he sent me this picture of Kelley enjoying the ocean.

Photo by Dave Small