Hike #23 - Barton Creek Greenbelt - Austin, TX

Hike #23

Date: May 5th
Hikers: Me, JimJ & Sue

Location: Austin, TX
Distance: 4 miles
Rating: Easy
Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Trailhead Link:http://www.austinparks.org/our-parks.html?parkid=206

Another travel day for work and trying to take advantage of being able to hike in another state.  I did some research and then asked someone at work.  I picked the right spot. They said Barton Creek was a great place for an afterwork hike.

Happy Cinco De Mayo & Happy Anniversary to Jim & Traci!  We traveled 2 miles out along a creek where there were several spots deep enough to swim.  There were small waterfalls and we were told if we continued the falls became bigger.  Not enough daylight for us though.

The trail has rocks in the beginning to step around but overall very flat.  We were in the tall trees.  There were several really cool looking trees.  Some great for climbing.

The water holes were full of swimmers.  A younger crowd.  Lots of dogs too.  Some jumping off the cliff at our turnaround spot.

We had a great time recapping our day of training and laughing about time keepers, changing in the car and "GET OFF MY TRAIN".

 We had to take a couple selfies!









As we hit the turn around spot it was starting to sprinkle.  We could hear the thunder in the distance.  A storm was coming!!

Nice Small WaterFall!

We picked up the pace and headed back the 2 miles.  We made it to the car before the rain started.

Looks Bigger than it is!

Our next stop was the Punch Bowl Social in Austin.  

http://punchbowlsocial.com/austin/

It was a fun spot for dinner.  

The storm hit us as we reached the building.  It was CRAZY.  In the end the area received 5 inches and the lightning was awesome!  Glad we were not still hiking! 

Hike #23
Accomplished! 

Hike #22 - Red Rock Amphitheater (Funicular Trail) - Morrison, CO

Hike #22

Date: April 29th
Hikers: Me, JimJ & Sue

Location: Morrison CO
Distance: 4.15 miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Trailhead Link:http://redrocksonline.com

In Denver for work and this place has been on my bucket list.  Would love to see a concert but I always wanted to walk around the area since seeing Chris Powell on Extreme Weightloss take contestants here.

10 miles west of Denver it was easy to get to once we made it through the traffic. The sun stays up longer here so we had no worries.

The drive up the hill was beautiful.  There are a few different entrances.  I can't imagine getting out of here after a concert.  Jim, Sue and I decided to be work BFF's and get some exercise in after a great day of training.

Once we hit the top of the hill we were at the Visitor Center of the Amphitheater.  It was Amazing!

Sue & Jim

 

Jim and I in front of the Visitor Center

View from the Top

We decided to walk across each bleacher skipping every other one. Top to Bottom.  The people were a mix of everything. Walkers like us, extreme athletes climbing over brick areas on the side. Runners, people jumping the bleachers, doing squats, push ups.  It was EXTREME!!

Once we finished and were shocked that we had done over 4 miles we headed back down the trail. A family of deer were eating off the trail. This little guy came right up to us.  

 Had a great hike!  We talked about our day and plans for tomorrow.  Laughed about our night before celebrating a Birthday.  GET OFF MY TRAIN!

Crazy tracking from my Map My Hike on the bleacher hiking part! 

Hike #22
Accomplished!

Hike #21 - Piestewa Peak Quartz Ridge 32nd st & Lincoln Phoenix AZ - Take 2

Hike #21

Date: April 22nd
Hikers: Me & Tina

Location: Phoenix AZ
Distance: 4.9 miles
Rating: Moderate
Time: 1.5 hour


Trailhead Link:https://www.phoenix.gov/parkssite/Documents/northlarge.pdf

Back again out to the trailhead at 32nd and Lincoln.  So close to work that Tina and I decided to meet after work for a quick hike since the sun stays up so much longer now.

We headed back up the same route I did with Jim on Sunday.  At the Summit we headed North East and took a nice loop down and back up.

View to the West

We headed South up the Hill.  We will be heading toward the house we can see

 We wonder who A & W are? Arlene & Wally? I am sure we could find out but it is more fun to imagine!

We picked the trailhead back up from the road near the house.  Heading West. 

 Back at the Summit where we headed South and took the loop.

Fun Hike.  Too bad Tina did not tell me she had dinner plans.  And don't drink warm water that has been sitting in your car before you hike.  Makes for a bad first 30 minutes.  I see this as a new afterwork favorite!

Hike #21
Accomplished!