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| Hiking | 9.20 Miles |
1,820 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.20 Miles | 4 Hrs 46 Mns | | 2.04 mph |
| 1,820 ft AEG | 15 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | For day three of our Pine area adventures we decided on what would be a trip down memory lane for me, having hiked it but once, well over 16 years ago. With that amount of time passing I wasn't sure if I'd be able to find Memory Lane. That said, the one thing I knew would not be the same would be the amount of people on the trail. Being prior to implementation of the permit system I do remember passing/meeting a LOT (100+) of people, so being mid-week and a limitation of 36 from Bob Bear we did not expect to see many.
Arriving 30 minutes before 8 am (gate supposedly open 8am-8pm) the gate was wide open. At the lot was one empty vehicle, from which I believe the occupants were the only folks we would encounter before we headed back out. Another vehicle with a trio of young males arrived shortly before we hit the trail, and we heard just enough of their banter tag them as Instagram'ers. Not wishing to be exposed to their banter, our dispositions turned quite a bit brighter when we overheard they decided to wait for the rest of their group, some 40+ minutes away. Overheard?? How could we NOT hear... I guess one must speak LOUDLY when speaking on the phone so someone miles away.
And we're off...
Since the current route begins simply as a smooth road, almost immediately I DID remember the first part of the ORIGINAL trail was very rocky, which can still be seen heading down to the right. Maybe that was a good thing back then, give folks a taste of the worst right away so their later complaints can fall on deaf ears.
With the signs at the trailhead, another 100 yards later, again 1/8 mile later and one more time maybe a half mile out it was VERY hard NOT to notice the duplication of warnings as to the difficulty, the need for enough water, how many deaths over the years, etc. along with the line do not expect to be rescued only to state how many HAVE been rescued... pretty the warnings that continue to be ignored.
Wishing to be as far from the Insta-crowd we kept up a good pace, so along with the majority of the trail being in great shape we easily kept up a 2.7 mph clip on the descent.
Upon reaching the sign to turn left to the Spring or straight on to the the Dam, we continued, figuring we'd hit the Spring on the way back. At the dam Memory Lane completely failed me. I did NOT remember anything AT ALL like what it may have been before. Even once back home the only 'dam' photo I had from 2007 looked absolutely nothing like what we encountered this trip.
Whatever, we wandered around a bit, checking out the remnants of a rock shack and a few more odds-and-ends before a few last photos before heading back toward the spring. Weirdly enough, clipped to the "Flume Trail 4" sign was a portable CB radio, turned on and fully charged, set on Channel 6. Neither of us could figure that one out... looked to me like it was there for the taking. (No, we didn't take it)
We followed the Spring trail past the actual 'spring' until reaching the running part of the creek, where we took a few photos then turned back.
This is when the Instagram crowd reached us, looking for the dam. As usual, of the group of nine, not one had a clue... after all, they TURNED to go to the SPRING at the sign that showed the DAM was straight ahead.
Funny enough, because even though I showed the last kid the actual spot where the spring bubbled up, there was absolutely no recognition as to what that meant. Yes, KID is the correct nomenclature... 'young adult' just doesn't jibe with the lack of maturity of the whole group. We were happy we only had a momentary encounter.
With our early start and good pace, we decided to head back a ways before stopping for an early food break, and the perfect spot was where the wide flat creek crossing where we could set-a-spell as the water trickled by. Luckily not a soul passed by during our time of perfect solitude.
Although prepared for a long-slog up the trail, we were pleasantly surprised how easy it was. I kept wondering when is the hip pain would arrive and spoil the fun. Thankfully the only time it raised its voice was the few times when it required stepping up more than a foot or so.
On the way up we met what would bring number of other hikers to a total of 18 for the whole trip. Of course, we did note a few folks who appeared a bit unprepared... two gals, each with a pint bottle of water. Possibly a learning experience in their future? Not of our concern. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
While I don't generally hike in heat, hikes involving water are usually fair game for me during the summer, though considerations need to be taken into account for the approach and exit.
Route 
It is a hike that you really need to do. 
