Big Tree Ridge, Shangri La & No Name — Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024

Our trip to Big Tree Ridge started as an aborted attempt at Red Town Trailhead / De Leo Wall which is CLOSED Monday-Friday from October 28-November 8. Oops. So, we headed north to Big Tree Ridge and found the parking lot still closed, so we parked on the neighborhood street. By the time we used the Portapotties (clean and stocked) and started up the trail, someone came by to unlock the gate around 7:55.

We had a break in the rain but could still hear raindrops plunking on the leaves. Big Tree has been blown clear of leaves to the sign marking the Red Cedar / Surprise Creek Junction, where there is an obvious transition between maintained and natural (pic included). 

We hiked to Harvey Manning Trailhead for the "million dollar view" that was mostly socked in with fog and clouds, then headed back on a "loop" that pitched us out Shangri-La in a development area. My friend was NOT happy about going back up to find the No Name trail, but we both learned some valuable lessons about trusting our gut. At least we didn't have to walk along the city streets.

All in all, we had a nice outing, covering just under 6 miles and about 1775' gain. 11 bird species, no bear sightings (although my dog behaved like he could smell something enticing -- deer? coyote?). Slugs, mushrooms, chipmunks, and lovely ferns were the notables on the day along with some cool trees. We'll have to return to Red Town Trailhead in late November.