Shooting Stars of joy lined the trail.

Leaving home shortly after 4:30AM yesterday, brought me to Elaine’s and us to the Horseshoe Trail way up west. It was a bright cool, beautiful morning. The wildflowers were vibrant up that high and we didn’t run into too many other hikers.

The trail was moderate, even with our unplanned detour to visit a little spring and the remains of old ranch house and barn. The parks we frequent have awesome signs that really give a sense of the history of the area.

We aren’t super sure of the distance, but somewhere just over five miles and seeing the other trail cut-offs gave us our plan for a longer hike next week on the Mule Deer Trail.

Kinnikinnick flowers so delicate.

We’ve been enjoying a ‘trail mix of the week’ that Elaine finds at her local market from the bulk bins. This week’s featured candied pecans, dried cherries and cranberries, bits of other nuts and chocolate chips. What is the point of a trail mix with no chocolate? There isn’t one.

16Back to the parking lot by shortly after 11AM, we parted ways in Elaine’s driveway and I headed off to a few errands, checking cattle on the way home and dropping the salt blocks I’d packed along, a refreshing glass of iced-tea with my neighbors and home again. The hike was such a blessing!