The weather in early November was a combination of conditions – rainy, cloudy, and sunny, but almost always windy.    It was great for hiking, but not suitable to late season paddling.    Most hikes were 1 – 2.5 hours with a new route each time.    A few are shared here.

On a rainy day, I found a break in the showers and hiked Upper Peterson Creek from the upper Summit Drive entrance.    I hiked up the Tom Moore Trail to the reservoir and back, with a small loop.   From the trail, there were fine views down the canyon toward the City.

On another day of hiking, I hiked through the hills between Knutsford and Tower Hill.    All was quiet and there was no one out and no cattle grazing.    I used Leave No Trace practices and hiked mostly off-trail in a loop route through the hills.  A few images are shared here.    Click an image for a lightbox (larger) view.

On a blustery day I started from the Pacific Way trailhead and hiked a loop route on the Lower Doc Findlay Trail, combining other trails for a loop route.

Lower Doc Findlay

a loop route

the view from the hilltops

desert yellow fleabane

Tod Mountain, Mt. Lolo, Peter and Paul, Harper Mountain

I hiked the Ironmask Trails from the Lac le Jeune Road.    I found it confusing since the biking website stated the trails were closed Nov. 1, but the gates were open and there was no signage.    Another source stated Nov.30, so I took a chance and hiked a loop route through the hills.

It was a bit foggy, but the trails were quiet.   I spotted two cyclists on another trail, some birds, and a squirrel, but no one else on the loop trail I hiked.

I am hiking almost every day at this time.    On some days paddling, tennis, and yardwork fills in 7 days a week of activities.   Each day brings new trail choices, new routes, and explorations.    Soon it will be on the snow.