A Little Hike to Celebrate Austin Finishing Finals & 2nd Yr. Med School

Austin finished his last final, and his second year of medical school! He and Rachel celebrated by joining us for a half-day hike through Whiting Ranch.

We started at the weather-vane statute by Ralph's Parking lot,
at the entrance to Whiting Ranch.

Today's happy hikers: Rachel, Austin, Dylan and Christian

The December 2010 rains caused severe mudslides in the park.
The gate and fence were buried about 3-4 feet deep, requiring a detour.

Christian and Dylan on the trail.
Dylan is a great hiker.
Dylan kept a close watch for the animals in the park.
"Where are the animals?" he kept saying...

Parts of the trail looked like the beach, with all the sand washed down from the hillside slopes.
You can see the threatened homes and yards in the background, with plastic placed to forestall further erosion.

It was hot and Dylan was thirsty. Here's where Dylan and Christian turned back, and Jeff, Rachel and Austin pushed onward up to the top of "4 Corners,"
then down the "Dreaded Hill" trail.

At 4 Corners, close to the top of the park.

View from the top of the Dreaded Hill Trail.
This is the memorial park bench, dedicated to the memory
of a mountain biker who was killed nearby by a mountain lion.

Great hike and Great Company!