No, it’s not what you think. This is a clean family-type blog and we’ll have none of that. The Bump and Grind is the local name for the Mirage Trail. It’s what is commonly called an ‘exercise’ hike, not for the spectacular views over the cities, not for the thrill of being in the great out doors, not for the solitude with nature, but merely for the aerobics advantages of the place. Again, this is one of the hikes where we’ll see people running up and down. On a Saturday or Sunday, you’ve probably got to take a number for a parking space on the road below and another number to start the hike. We’re here on a Friday so we didn’t have to park too far away. But, the crowds were still more than we are used to on the far off trails we usually use.
But, hey, when we’re in Palm Springs, we are here to hike. Bear claws, ice cream - we can get all these things in Des Moines, where we live, but we can’t hike. Since Gary’s still a bit sore, though he can put one foot in front of another, we decided to take a shorter hike, one we’ve taken before. But this time - we’re going the other way. Whoo-eee. What excitement. We’re going to go counter-clockwise this time. Will the excitement never end? Actually, there are two choices when you get to the trailhead: the ‘grind’ and the ‘bump’. The ‘grind’ is to the right, a long, slow, inexorable slog up long switchbacks to the top of the hill which is about 2 1/2 miles.
The ‘bump’ is to the left, a swift steep switchbacking ridge line climb to the top which is much shorter at 1 mile. Same height but you gain so much more altitude with each step when you choose the ‘bump.’ And, that’s what we chose this time.
Half way up, we’re puffing and wondering why we’re on this stair stepper of a hike. We decided to unzip the legs of our hiking pants. Then an ‘older’ woman, at least she was older than we were, started laughing and asked how far Gary was going to go. I told her to wait around to see but that it was could get exciting. She laughed and moved on beyond us.
It was a grueling fun hike with great views. Finally near the top, we saw this sign.
The trail goes on and, in December, you can hike to the top. However, in January the BLM shuts off the top of the trail to hikers so that the big horn sheep can calve undisturbed. Here’s my question to you: Do you think this sign stops any one? And, if you answered, no, you’d be mostly right. Sure, it stopped us and a few others but - 75% of the hikers bypassed the sign and headed on up. We’ve been here in December and have hiked to the top then but today we turned on back down the hill. Then I decided to take a picture of others bypassing the sign. They always have excuses and rationalizations.
Here’s a group coming on down, expressing surprise a the sign. ‘Gee, I didn’t see that sign earlier.’ ‘Well, I heard on TV that they had rescinded it, they just forgot to take the sign down.’ ‘Well, I didn’t see any big horn sheep up there.’ DUH, of course not, you nimwit. You’re hiking up there.
Jerks.
Since we had taken the ‘bump’ on the way up, we got to take the ‘grind’ down. And, I would go counter-clockwise again, it’s the best way. Going up the steep ridge line is easier than coming down it. Coming down, you’re looking ahead and the trail is so steep that you lose your sense that there’s a trail in front of you. It’s like coming down the stairs from the cheap seats in any arena. Precipitous.
And, home. We’ve pushed Gary as far as we should. Back at the campground, I was walking around and passed the horseshoe courts where some hot matches were going on. A woman there tried to talk me into learning and playing. Then I hit the pickle ball courts ( pickle ball is like tennis only on a smaller court, with a hard whiffle ball and wooden paddles rather than rackets.) where two hot matches were in progress. Again, I was recruited. You know, I look athletic but my main claim to athletic fame is the ability to put one foot in front of the other. Thus I used to run, now I walk and, when possible, I hike. Have I bowled? golfed? played tennis? Well, yeah, I’ve done those things but mostly I put one foot in front of the other.
But, then I decided to try pickle ball and with a borrowed racket I played two games. Sure did learn a lot. But, then, in the evening, we sagged.
No comments:
Post a Comment