The day started early. Still dark outside and excited to go hiking again. It’s been several weeks since last time hiking and wasn’t sure how we would hold up! The weather was crisp but dressed in several lawyers for good measure. Better to take off a few pieces than wish you had something to put on.
We did the Bull Hill full loop as we had done the short loop previously. Actually preferred the long loop as it felt easier on the descent down. Didn’t take too many pictures as the focus was walking. Did have some amazing views of the town below. Almost felt like the houses and the cars driving were toys and you could pick them up. It was pretty cool!
The hike wasn’t too bad but there were a few times that the cold weather did make it much more difficult and painful! I fell first! Didn’t know it was ice under the light dusting of snow. One moment I was enjoying the view and next thing I know my feet slipped out from under me and landed hard on my butt looking at the sky. Luckily wasn’t seriously hurt but still enough that each step I could feel the new bruise. Was only about halfway through the hike so had to just keep pushing forward.
Not many people on the trail which wasn’t surprising considering the weather but was pleasant to see people enjoying the outdoors.
We continued along being ever more careful with the placement of each footstep. Checking any time we weren’t completely sure what was underneath our feet. This worked well for some time as we continued along the trail with mostly rocks more than dirt as the trail. I would equate it to walking on a cobblestone road where the cobblestones are mostly broken. It’s awkward and beats on your feet.
We had made it to the highest point and afterwards we figured the descent, as it was more gradual, would be an easier way on us for the remainder of the walk. However, not but a few minutes after beginning the part of the trail that is the descent, we came across one of the few people we had seen that day. In an effort to be courteous, Chris tried to stay to the side of the trail and give the other person room to pass. In doing so, he did not keep focus on the ground in front of him and before he knew it he was flat on his back now. The other person came over and helped him up though Chris later conveyed he could have used a moment to just lay there and recover a bit from the pain. And as we were only about halfway through the walk it was a long painful trip constantly rubbing our behinds to try and numb the pain :).
We spent the rest of the trail walking exclusively on the things we could recognize such as dirt or moss or any other spot that wasn’t snow-covered. Fortunately, the views and the spots of small rapids with the sound of moving water along with some beautiful ice formations helped us to keep our minds off of our bruises. We passed spots where the streams were completely frozen over and others where it looked like the ice was just hovering above the flowing water beneath it.
Side note – no idea how some people run that trail when we had trouble just walking.
Lastly, when we had made it back to where the short and long loop met, we came upon some more buildings to explore….
All that was left were the remnants of whatever structures had one stood here. They looked to be relatively large structures of multiple stories with silos adjacent to the one above. I wanted to walk into the small, dark room of the building but Chris nixed the idea based on safety concerns. I must admit, some of the walls and arches had started to crumble a bit. There were several structures spread over a bit of distance from where the two trails met along them back toward the road where a paved section that was possibly a driveway for those who had lived there and is currently at least a maintenance road. We’re not sure if all were houses but at least one was and even had a concrete pool. To read more about the other buildings, you can find them on the post about the Bull Hill Short Loop.
We had to cross a crumbling bridge to get to the picture above of the structure and on the way back, came across the gate that time had forgotten but not the environment as can be seen from the tree that had consumed one corner of it. Another example revealing just how long the structures had stood there waiting to be reclaimed.
The rest of the walk back to the car was mainly uneventful but we did get to see some sections of rock with icicles that appeared as though they were growing out from the side of the mountain. These icicles were clear and long with some having to be at least forty-eight inches and thick as an average wrist. Quite impressive.
Along the end of the trail, we did see signs of maintenance, which is always exciting to know the park is being cared for, to keep the experience safe and enjoyable. The staff do what they can to keep water off of the trail by creating drainage points and tiny troughs for the water to flow down.
In the areas where it was naturally flowing water from the mountain like a tiny stream from the mountainside, they put blocks as stepping-stones or little freestanding wooden walkways to get you over the mud.
Going early in the morning is your best bet in nice weather but at this time of year you can pretty much guarantee you’ll find parking at any time of the day.
-Chris & Ola