So I had a really normal time on this trail.
We arrived at the trailhead at 9:30 and there was only one other car in the lot. I stepped in some (dog?) poop while I was putting my boots on behind the car, so that was a bummer. The animals at the neighboring farm were quite cacophonous, creating kind of a disconcerting trailhead environment, but that sound died away after walking just a few seconds into the woods. The first mile of the trail is pretty nondescript, and the only interesting thing we encountered was a big branch full of hair ice. I don't think I've ever actually gotten to seen this on a hike before, so that was pretty exciting.
We didn't encounter any other hikers until the log bridge maybe halfway down the trail. The trail was a normal amount of muddy, but it was nothing insurmountable. I enjoyed revisiting a section of trail I worked on with a WTA work party a couple of years ago, and loved seeing how much better it was draining than when I first encountered it. The river below was a gorgeous pale, glacial turquoise. Brilliant green moss dripped from the trees and coated every downed log. This trail is just so lovely and easygoing, especially once you get past the first mile.
We hiked a little past the lime kiln but were getting pretty hungry so we turned back towards the parking lot shortly after it.
I know I joked with my husband about the trail being haunted, but he told me he didn't see any ghosts. All the dogs we saw were normal.
We arrived back at the trailhead right at noon after hiking 5.3 miles. There were a few more cars in the parking lot, maybe 5 or 6.
After the hike we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Playa Bonita... $30 for two lunch combos and a queso appetizer! Highly recommend that!
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