Twelve hikers met for this desert hike: Carol, Gary, Tom, Brian, Helene, Tony, Dawn, Roy, Dave, Diane, Julie, and Pam. First on the agenda was the 3.8-mile Mesa Hike.
Once atop the mesa (after a very steep climb), we noted that we were on the western edge of the rift and could look across the rift valley eastward to where the land abruptly rises again.
After lunch at the visitor center, most of the hikers also decided to add the 1.1 mile nature trail to the day, which means they can eat a bit more on Thanksgiving. Finally some of us stopped at the Bernardo Refuge on the way home to view the Sandhill Cranes. As an added treat, we also spotted two mule deer and/or young elk—we’re not sure which.
Pam Bliss