Lazarow World-Hike-About

From Double Peak in San Marcos, Mount Woodson and Iron Mountain come into view Slow march to winter...who's complaining? San Marcos Lake viewed from below Double Peak Our directional ability is suspect, that we know. However, what is a person to do when arriving at an unsigned fork in the trail. This is, of course, the issue. We call it a “fifty-fifty”. Our question is: ‘How is it that over a fair sample of these situations, we are closer to a “twenty-eighty” ratio against? Perhaps we are opening ourselves to a fair amount of abuse by posing the question. We become nervous when trying to reach the peak of a mountain and find the trail taking us down. After getting very nervous as we descended on our ascent, we switched direction and arrived at the peak after adding a little more than a mile to the hike, making it over 6 miles and a cumulative 1,200 feet. On the way up, we passed another two unsigned junctions but apparently made correct decisions. The north county area, ...

Below the peak things are setting up for a great performance; a mountain upfront develops an aura Click on photo to enlarge, leave as is for captions and text Everything was set up for the perfect sunset until it wasn't. The best sunrises and sets we've seen are standing on the summit of Iron Mountain, looking towards the Pacific Ocean. In fact, looking east, the views are quite spectacular, too. The peaks absorb the soft sunlight and bask in it while giving off a sparkling effect, almost showing contentment enjoying the last of the warm rays before nightfall. It is quite (very) spectacular when nature cooperates. On Monday evening, Robbie joined us for a daylight 6-mile hike up the mountain followed by a walk in the dark back down—always quite an experience. All was going well as the clouds gathered so the sun could reflect off them in hues of yellow, orange and red. Then as the final curtain was ready to rise for the show, we having reached the peak, cloud and fog or ...

As we top a ridge, Murray peak comes into view, editor 'faints' Last chance to feel 'on edge' After completing the San Jacinto Peak hike the day before, we thought we might have earned a rest. It wasn’t to be. Our editor was/is very energetic which meant we had to race up the hill. Hill it’s not. We hiked 7 miles with a cumulative elevation gain of over 2,500 feet. That in our opinion, is not a hill. In fact, the elevation gain today was a little more than San Jacinto but in 5 miles less distance. Okay, enough with the statistics. One more thing. Murray ‘Little Hill’ is neither the highest peak, nor the longest, it is not the most picturesque but we would say, overall, it’s one of the nicest hikes around. It has so much going for it that we rate it highly. Jenni and 'Jac...into' The hike commences without an official trailhead; the hiker must improvise. The first official sign is posted after two-and-half miles—that is, of course, most useful. In fac...

We were fortunate to reach the peak of San Jacinto, a staggering range, an incredible experience Understandably excited after nearly 6 miles climb (forgetting there's no ride back down) The last 10 minutes of rock scaling to reach peak—admiring the wonderful sights Should a person wish for a big finish, then 12 miles in length and 2,400 feet elevation gain comes close, particularly the former. Eighteen kilometers sounds even better, a bigger number relates to some eighteen tired muscles. The distance put us at the top of the mountain, we nearly said the world, with spectacular views in all directions, including Salton Sea, Palomar and a host of other places and mountains, not forgetting the Coachella Valley below. Unfortunately, the cameras did not agree with us and that proved to be disappointing. One of the best experiences of the day, after completing a tough hike, is to soak oneself in a hot tub, have the editor massage the shoulders and especially, the feet....

A farewell to Sedona. We'd like to think the sky got like that because it was sad to see us leave. No comments expected. Sun hits the spot in Palm Desert Looking through the canyon as we negotiate the boulders We spent Shabbat in Tempe, not near Bloemfontein, but rather in Arizona. We mention this as the bulk of our army training took place in that ‘delightful’ town. In fairness, while we would not like to repeat that period, at least any time soon, it was a time of accelerated ‘growing up’. Therefore, we are pleased, not grateful, to have had the experience because in a sense it helped in shaping life. A flock of birds 'eye' the editor Editor shows her mettle over the rocks Our experiences on the Sabbath day are particularly special. We remember one class we attended in which the rabbi said that Hashem expects each of us to work hard during the 6 days of the week so that the seventh will be a true rest day—a contrast. We do feel that each week—we are tired ...

Hint of season change on Mingus Mountain Some height above the valley ‘Transmitting from our base station on Mingus Mountain, Prescott.’ We have heard that often as we tune in, via the internet, to our favorite radio station based in this city. No matter where in the world we are, with a computer and internet access, we hear the music, adverts and time of day. As we are mostly in different time zones, it can be funny sitting at a desk at 9am, the announcer bidding us ‘goodnight’. Why do we mention this? Today we hiked on Mingus Mountain, fairly short at 5 miles with an elevation gain of over 1,100 feet, although a greater amount cumulative. It was nice to do that, to be at the place from which we receive streaming audio. Sounds silly but it’s difficult to explain. A splendid valley, indeed For the rest, the views were good but do not match that which we are accustomed, that is, what we have witnessed over the last 8 weeks—we mentioned this after the Granite Mountain outing l...

On bronze pond, a little water in Sedona, a pause for reflection One of many slabs north of Sedona Editor takes the plunge, so to speak, at beginning of AB Young After the second Wilson hike, we decided on a filler and tried something new, the highly regarded West Fork, a little north of Sedona. We crossed the creek twenty-six times in just over 6 miles—the trail builders sure have a sense of humor—we should have brought our ‘cozzies’. When it comes to swim wear, Americans are very formal—hence, bathing suits. The trail meanders through semi-forest with huge slabs towering above. With the sunlight reflecting off these monstrous rocks, the viewer receives a treat while feeling insignificant in size. Sedona is often under-rated for the large and high mountains it has; it is not only about red rocks. Looking down the canyon from peak Queen of the castle, sitting at the high point. Finally works out which way is down, 'boy genius'. Wilson Mountain behind Now for ...