My best view was OMG that's a Bear!
I must share this experience with you guys. I've learned I shouldn't hike alone and always pack bear spray. Here's a crappy pic of the bear. This is from the road, I stopped to try and get a good pic but it was too far away. When on the trail it was much closer. Cinnamon colored and milling about in that fire break meadow. I was on a switchback all alone looking for the best view and what did I see, a bear! I have lived here most of my life and I've camped and hiked a lot, and I've noticed many trail signs warning about bears but I've never seen one. I was out for about 2 hours treasure hunting, poking at ant hills and snakes and reminding myself, no bushwacking so I moved to a clearing with a good view. When I saw that bear I immediately gave up on the day and started hiking quickly back up to the trailhead. I was so scared, overheated, I couldn't breathe, and I had to go uphill the whole way back, fast. The worst part was that I was on a switchback so I'd get away from bear, then closer to bear, then away from bear, then closer to the bear. Good times, what a rush, I'll never forget it! Be safe out there, have fun and find that darn treasure!!
I must share this experience with you guys. I've learned I shouldn't hike alone and always pack bear spray. Here's a crappy pic of the bear. This is from the road, I stopped to try and get a good pic but it was too far away. When on the trail it was much closer. Cinnamon colored and milling about in that fire break meadow. I was on a switchback all alone looking for the best view and what did I see, a bear! I have lived here most of my life and I've camped and hiked a lot, and I've noticed many trail signs warning about bears but I've never seen one. I was out for about 2 hours treasure hunting, poking at ant hills and snakes and reminding myself, no bushwacking so I moved to a clearing with a good view. When I saw that bear I immediately gave up on the day and started hiking quickly back up to the trailhead. I was so scared, overheated, I couldn't breathe, and I had to go uphill the whole way back, fast. The worst part was that I was on a switchback so I'd get away from bear, then closer to bear, then away from bear, then closer to the bear. Good times, what a rush, I'll never forget it! Be safe out there, have fun and find that darn treasure!!