Pinnacles Trip May 1 - 3

(Juli has proclaimed that we need WAY more posts to this blog, so this is to get things rolling again...more will follow)

Here are views from the WoodStarks annual May trip to the Pinnacles, and this year Juli, Jimmy and I were happy to come along (note that this involved Jimmy flying in from Santa Fe for the event!). Carol's friends Claudia and Anita also joined in. There was major weather menacing, but we kind of dodged a bullet. It started raining in Sacramento about noon on Friday, and pretty much rained the whole way down, and drizzled/rained well into the night. Friday dinner was eaten more or less under C&D's awning at their trailer. But by Saturday morning the rain stopped. It threatened a bit in the morning, but didn't rain any more, so we were fortunate. Here are some views, starting with the brain trust, Carol, Claudia, and Mr. Wylie.

This was Friday evening, under the awning. Here are J &J braving the elements out from the awning:
Last year Carol, Claudia and Anita climbed to North Chalone Peak, 9 miles round trip, 2000' elevation gain. They promptly threw down the gautlet that the GUYS ought to get their butts up there this year. So with the weather cooperating Don, Jimmy and I took the hike. Here are Don and Jimmy 2/3 up the trail with the destination in the background:


And here are me and Don at the top:


The hike was beautiful, with spectatular wildflowers and vistas all along the way, and some great critters, too, including this horned lizard--we found 2 of them and Carol and Juli, on the High Peaks trail found one too:

Great company great food, and all in all a memorable week-end.