No one else in the south parking lot this morning.  Took my two year old up around the quarry for a short stroll.  Everything was muddy, but no rain today!  Didn't see another soul, no animals either.

it was sunny and b beautiful we saw a nurse tree and we had fun. and saw beautiful leaves. and had a good time.

Trip report by Noah age 6

My alias nearly killed me on the Thursday hike, so today I just wanted to go chill in the woods. Thinking the north lot would be packed, and since I haven't been to the southend for awhile, I headed for the big empty lot off Tester Rd.

Boy Howdy! Was I wrong! There was some big horse extravaganza going on, and the whole lot was filled with big fat pickups and giant trailers. People sitting around in lawn chairs waiting for the horses to get back. A volunteer trying hard to scoop the poop from the gravel. And one guy that parked smack dab in the middle of the turnaround. SCORE! How convenient for you!

I mean, I really don't mind horses. They're just hunky-dory ... if you like horses. And I suppose, if I had a horse, I would want to hit the trail with it. Fair enough. I'll share the trail. But they're just so ... LARGE.

You are forced to step off the trail as they approach, bobbing their heads as if to say "Yeah, that's right. Step aside." They saunter by, staring you down with a curious bemusement; impressively flaring their nostrils and farting. "Hey look, Trigger! They can walk too!" says one. And away they go, dropping massive land mines of poo in their wake...

OK, I actually didn't see any horses. I just stayed off the main trails. Took the Riverview Footpath and hung out at the viewpoint above the river for awhile. Watched the salmon jumping, and got cussed out by a hawk. Cut over the hill and through the woods to the Viewpoint, and hung out there for awhile. A couple arrived and sat down close by, so I made my presence known, and left shortly. Didn't want to ruin their day...

Today was just what I needed. A superb Fall day to just enjoy the woods. You don't have to drive far to get a good dose of shinrin-yoku.

Oh yeah. I found a red doohickey flower thingy. If you really miss it, you can have it back. If it hasn't fallen off yet...

Today I was planning on spending time on the Mountain Loop Hwy, but realized halfway there that I had forgotten my NorthWest Forest Pass. Bummer.

So I headed towards Lord Hill since it doesn't require a pass. It was a beautiful day and lots of people on the trail. Hiked from the West entrance to the East entrance and back. Nice workout. Lots of equestrian riders out. Lots of horse "landmines".