(Mine, that is — I hit the big 3-5 on Monday)

Trail Description: Forest Service #640, 7-mile balloon loop, including about 2 miles to beginning of 3-mile loop, then 2 miles return. Elevation gain 1,280 feet, rated steep at first, then easier. Features scenic route through wooded canyon.

Joy and Dominic joined Maya and me for an early-morning 7-mile hike through Waldo Canyon. Compared to my last hike of this trail (just under a month ago), what a difference! We’ve had rain! Last time, the creekbeds were barely damp, much less flowing. This time, we had to scramble over small rocks to get across the creek each time it crossed the trail.

Photos coming, once Joy gets them uploaded.

Photos: I still can’t get over how much more water was on the trail. We’ll do this one again before the season is over, for sure.

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