Tubal Cain Mine — Saturday, Jul. 14, 2018

This was our first time on this trail and needless to say, it won't be our last. It was more exploratory for us since I haven't been in this particular area before and didn't know what to expect (besides parking challenges - so I was there at 8AM and there were maybe two spots left in the parking lot). Gorgeous weather for a gorgeous hike. No rhodies in bloom (a few late bloomers here and there), but I can certainly imagine the hallway they would have created when in full bloom - will try to go back earlier next year to see them. Started the climb up Tull Canyon to see the B-17, but my son was having flashbacks to a camping trip with a mosquito armada and we turned back when they started getting too numerous for him (plus I forgot the spray), so that will happen next time. Continued up the Tubal Cain trail for another 30 minutes, but the scenery changed dramatically with the water flowing through and I got distracted taking photos, so we didn't make it very far and had to turn around about 1/2 mile past the Tull Canyon TH. Only downside was the drive back down - while the road is fine (narrow in spots with some pot holes to be on the look out for), some drivers seem to have forgotten that they need to share it with others coming in the opposite direction, so careful driving is called for. And my front-wheel drive car had a bit of challenge driving back up the road past Dungeness Creek Camp - I need knew tires as they kept spinning out, it's rather steep. AWD and good tires would be best, but I have to work with what I have, and I already knew I needed new tires! This just drove it him. ;)