INCH Hike: Las Trampas Loop

1125?. Las Trampas Loop (03/17/18)

Hikers (29): Alan, Arlene, Baltazar, Bjorn, Brad, Cogsworth, Craig A, David A, Ellen, Giulia, Grady, Jeff V, Jim, Karl, Kathryn, Kevin, Kristy, Mihail, Nagendra, Peter, Peter E, Ross, Russell, Sabine, Sarah, Sarbinder, Shuli, Sophie, Steve
Distance: 14 miles
Rating: 4 difficulty, 8 beauty
Park info: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness near San Ramon

Write-up by David A -- Pictures by Alan, Karl, and David A

In view of the forecast rain and "shiggy" conditions I decided to wear an old pair of trail runners that had one last hike left in them, but no tread whatsoever. Mistake! It's a bit difficult to go uphill when you keep sliding backwards, and treacherous to go downhill in the mud with no grip. As I continually slipped and fell in a vain attempt to keep pace with the front-runners, a song kept coming into my head:

When the trails were drier so much drier than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now the rains have come my footing's less secure -
And everywhere I look it's mud and cow manure!

HELP me if you can I just fell down
And I don't appreciate that no one's around
Help me get my feet back on the ground
Won't you please, please help me?

And now the weather's changed from sun to rain and hail
They've all passed by - Sophie, Sarbi and Mihail
I'm slipping, sliding and falling on my tush
And when I get back down my pack is full of slush

HELP me if you can I just fell down
And I don't appreciate that no one's around
Help me get my ass up off the ground
Won't you please, please help me?

If you like shiggy (and who doesn't?) I recommend Las Trampas in the spring

The lasses were enjoying the beautiful green hills on this St. Patrick's Day

But then the rain came, and it turned to hail!

The Del Amigo trail is always a slog, no matter what the conditions

David bids his shoes a fond farewell
(it's always a good hike when someone throws away their shoes afterwards)

Peter's note: 4800 feet elevation, getting pelted with hail, freezing my balls off, falling on my ass in the mud a bunch of times ... damn right, I'm giving it a Level 4!

Milestones:
Arlene's 170^th leaf
Peter's 550^th leaf
Ross's 370^th leaf