7/31/14 Demeritt Forest

Another not far from home- I hesitate to drive very far and find too many deer flies to hike. Cloudy and 60's when we started but it cleared and got into the 70's

We started from the Logan Rd. entrance

There were a lot of deer flies and I was ready to give it up but Kelley was eager so I thought to just go a short distance.

Kelley soon found a small pool

The Blue Trail section was very wet- no problem for Kelley but the numbers of deer flies diminished so we carried on. By the time we got to the Yellow Trail there were few flies. The trails are mostly through woods so there were very few flowers or insects today.

There is a section of the White Trail that can be very wet but I thought we were past that section when we turned onto it. I was wrong and we soon came to an impassable ( for me) section. We turned back to take a side trail (not on the map)  I had seen, thinking it might take us around the bog. It turned out to be a network of unmarked trails and after several choices we ended up back on the White Trail.

Back to the Yellow. We had never done the section past the 11 marker-the map shows it just stopping at the forest boundary with no other trails.  We decided to check it out and just past the sign saying we were leaving the University property the trail ended at some kind of project.

Still trying to get to the Red Trail we found what looked like a seldom used trail and took it. We soon came to another very wet section and the trail just petered out and left us bushwhacking. But we did find the Red Trail, took it to the end, and then back by the route shown.

A tiny  pool of water

Back at the parking area we continued across  the road and went to the river to have our lunch- and a swim for Kelley

What seemed like a bad choice when we started turned into an interesting hike. The flies had ceased to be a problem, even when we were back near the start, lots of water for Kelley, and some parts we hadn't done before  2  1/2 hours

7/30/14 Walden Parke

A late start so a quick trip to nearby Walden. We hadn't been here in awhile and it's now in full summer dress.

Near the start of the Loop Trail

Another section of the loop

Not well focused but am posting because it's weird and I don't know what it is

We didn't meet any people or dogs but Kelley was happy to be out after waiting all morning for me and there was water around. Deer flies were not too bad, especially on the rail bed section of the loop.

Some other things we saw.

Wild Snap Dragon- I think

A short, 1 1/2 hour,  hike but pleasant.

7/29/14 City Forest

Rained most of yesterday so I fought with the computer and Kelley slept, except for a short walk around the neighborhood. Today the rain has stopped - mix of sun and clouds, 70's, and breezy- hard to get sharp close ups.

We started from the end of Kittredge Rd. and walked down to the pond

Kelley loves this pond which is deep enough for her to actually swim.

There were lots of critters around and I got a lot of blurred and out of focus shots. Some were OK

 An unusual pink chicory

Pond scum

 A beetle doing some pollinating

Another with a friend

I am amazed that daylilies are everywhere - in peoples yards, vacant lots, and the woods.

This one looked odd and I thought it might be injured but when I touched it it took off

We ran into several people on the trails, including Peter and his dog Cadie, a dog Kelley likes to play with when we meet. She is very friendly and energetic.

This dragonfly seems to have found lunch

Wasps - also having lunch

One last dip before we head up the hill to the car

Turned out to be a pretty good hike. The number of deer flies has diminished and the temperatures were comfortable. Because of all the rain, all the little pools had water and that made Kelley happy. She also liked the number of people we met. 2  1/4 hours 

7/27/14 City Forest

Sunny but with a forecast of rain. Went to nearby City Forest but Kelley was no at all enthusiastic. She only got in the beaver pond once each time we passed it and walked behind me until I decided we needed a day off and headed back. She then took the lead- seemed like a clear message. More rain forecast for tommorow so another easy day.

I only took a few pictures

We got home, had some watermellon,  and took it easy.

7/26/14 Catherine Mountain

Warmer and more humid. We picked this area because there are several hikes to chose from. Our first choice was Tunk Mt. but when we stopped the car it was surrounded by deer flies and we did not even get out. We then drove to the Catherine Mt, trail head and found no deer flies- it's a couple of miles away ???  During the entire hike 4 or 5 found Kelley and I quickly dispatched them.

The first part of the trail is fairly dense woods.

Too early for this

An interesting fungus

Further up you start to get some views

and areas of ledge .

It's hot up here

Part way down the other side there is a short trail that takes you to the Catherine Cliffs with some more open views ( you have to watch carefully for this trail as there are no markers)

Then we turned back to return the way we came.

It doesn't have to be a lot of water

Two more views from the trail

Flowers or weeds ?

Turned out to be a pretty good hike- we usually don't see anyone on this hike but on the way up met a couple and their two children and on the way down another couple. This made Kelley happy. There were also enough small pools of water for Kelley to cool off.  2  1/2 hours 

7/25/14 Partridge and Ducktail Ponds

Beautiful sunny day in the 70's . We started from the Partridge Pond trail head and there were few mosquitoes and no deer flies. As we neared the ponds we started to encounter the flies and on the trail to Partridge they were pretty thick. When we got to Partridge Pond it was really bad- when I lifted my camera to take a picture 5 or 6 landed on my camera.

We usually do the trail that continues on to the end of Partridge but skipped it today and head back to do Ducktail

Flies were thick there too, but when we got back on the main trail there were only a few and I got a couple of pictures.

Without the flies this would have been a really nice hike. Still a pretty day and lots of water for Kelley

1 3/4 hours