Gavan Hill Trail, Up and Up and Up

There was nary a cloud in the sky when I woke up this morning. That being the case, I wanted to hike up the Gavan Hill Trail to see a panoramic view of Sitka and its surroundings. The trail head is about a half mile from downtown Sitka and looks deceptively easy from the start. But the guidebooks list it as a strenuous hike, and after 5 hrs, I agree! Let's just say it was 2530 feet up in a mostly "up" fashion. Soft ground calls for wooden planks in places along with rock trails and steps carved into the granite at one point. Downhill was no picnic either. A very rigorous hike indeed! So, without further ado, the wonder of the Gavan Hill trail:

Up and over, although I did not know it at the time.

Lots of walkways early on so as not to disturb the fragile ground.

But there were plenty of this type of "trail" as well. Very narrow and wet in places too. I slipped once coming down and bounced a few feet before catching myself. Tip: be careful when stepping on smooth, rounded wood logs that are wet, especially when going downhill.

1000 foot marker. Only 1530 more to go!

Beautiful green everywhere.

Crazy steps again!!

Some ice left as I approached the top.

Who dat?

Getting close to the top. These are the stone steps with ropes on the sides. Some of the steps were hauled in and some were carved out of the existing granite.

Gavan Hill Summit.

Closer view of the summit.

An even closer view, with people approaching the top.

The following are views from the summit. The eagles were soaring, the wind was light. It was a glorious summit and the Buddha and I were so close we could almost touch the sky.

That is the runway.

Eagle soaring!!

Saw these flowers on the way back down the trail.

While I was sitting at the top, ruminating on my good fortune, a song kept going through my mind. It was "Desperado" by the Eagles. So, for Pam, who will always have a special place in my heart, and for whom it will mean the most, the lyrics:

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now.
Oh, you're a hard one,
But I know that you've got your reasons.
These things that are pleasin' you,
Can hurt you somehow.

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy,
She'll beat you if she's able.
Know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
Now it seems to me, some fine things,
Have been laid upon your table.
But you only want the things that you can't get.

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger:
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home.
And freedom, oh freedom,
Well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking,
Through this world all alone.

And don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow, the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're loosin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling,
Goes away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, and open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you,
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you,
Before it's too late.

Peace.

Katlian Bay Kayakabout

Woke up this morning to the rain (and the ferry) sometime around 3:30. Rain on my tent is such a pleasant sound that I had no trouble going back to sleep. Decided to go out on the bay about 9 as there wasn't a bit of wind and the tide was slack after high tide. Perfect for me to launch, so there I went. Just a short 2 hour jaunt close to camp, mostly poking about the shoreline, chasing jellyfish. The weather here can change in an instant and the clouds were looking a bit heavy. It rained off an on while I was out, but hey, kayaking is a water sport!

Almost like glass this morning when I started out.

That white line you see is actually yellowish-green from all the pollen. The pollen is so heavy here this time of year that it coats everything, especially if you are camping in the forest.

I found this crab pot entangled onshore around some rocks. I took it back to camp and the owner came and got it.

Hanging out under the trees when the rain got heavy once.

Looks like egg yolks!

Chased this one around for a bit before I could get a decent picture.

This one tried to hide in the grass, but I was wise to his tricks. I'm smarter than the average jellyfish.

Purple starfish, especially for Bree!

A few minutes after I made it back and put my stuff away, the skies opened up. Time for a hot shower, hot coffee and a hot internet connection.

Peace to all.

Slowing Down

Its been raining and windy the last couple of days, so no kayaking about. Still, I am finding that I don't need to be doing something everyday other than just being present. So that is my focus now. The kayaking, biking and hiking are part of the experience here, not something to do.

I heard a loud crash about 3:30 am the other night and looked out my tent and saw that the large dumpster had been overturned. Couldn't see anything else so I went back to sleep. In the morning, found garbage strewn all over the dumpster area. Apparently a bear had decided to visit. Yikes! Let's hope it (they) stay over at that end and not wander over to my end. I am the only tent here and the nylon isn't much of a deterrent for a brown bear, or even a raccoon for that matter.  I keep all of my food in my car, so nothing for it to eat. The other campers have dogs, so if a bear does wander over, they should start barking like crazy and make enough noise to move it along. The bears aren't too fond of humans and would just as soon avoid contact with us.

A few more pictures of various places around Sitka for your viewing pleasure:

First two are of barnacle encrusted rocks at low tide in Indian River Bay.

Things grow large here! Next three pictures show the size of a skunk cabbage, devil's club, and one of the biggest pieces of driftwood I've ever seen.

 I hung my jacket on it to show some scale.

The next three are views from Harbor Mountain Drive. I couldn't get all the way to the summit because the last gate was closed. It should open soon.

Vibrant flowers at the Pioneer home.

Saw these Herons at the Estuary. I was sitting in the viewing platform watching the rain when they decided to drop by and fish a bit.

Whimsical shot of leaves through a twisted tree trunk.

Love the colors of the rust stained rocks at one of the docks.

The next three are of weathered wood by the docks.

Things I am working on before I leave on the 22nd for two weeks to Ketchikan:

A kayak trip to Magoun Islands State Marine Park to camp out for a couple of days too work the kinks out in preparation for my Ketchikan trip. Also I want to camp out overnight at the top of Harbor Mountain. There is a cabin at the top I can use. It is early enough in the season that it might be available (first come, first served). If not, I can pitch a tent.

Peace

Siginaka Islands for Real

I was wrong the other day when I wrote that I had visited the Siginaka Islands. That was Big Gavanski Island (not to be confused with Little Gavanski Island). However, early this morning I went to one of the Siginaka Islands (about 6 miles round trip). It was very overcast, about 45 degrees, and periodically sprinkling. A big front is supposed to be coming in, so I thought I'd get some kayaking in before it hits. Still wore my wetsuit, but had to wear my NRS Reactor gloves to keep my hands from going numb. The trip out was fairly smooth, and floating around the island was a very cool, serene experience. Coming back was a bit of a slog as the wind was picking up and the waves were getting choppy. Nothing a hot cup of coffee couldn't repair when I got back.

Heading this way...

Nice little bay I can put in right around the corner.

Beautiful no matter where I looked.

The trees come right to the edge on these islands.

The next shots are of animals that I do not know the names for. Maybe my bud (and Master Diver) John can help me out.

and my favorite, the hanging starfish:

The noise in my head abates when I kayak. It is replaced by rhythm and cadence and the wonder of where I am.

Peace