Sunday Morning Hiking Series #131 - Mt Aire Event Cache

Series Description

The Sunday Morning Hiking Series (SMHS) began on June 7, 2009, and has continued with a hike every month since then with five exceptions including the pandemic. There is a bookmark list at the right which contains all of the SMHS events. We start early because it's cooler and the parking lots and trails are usually less busy. During the winter, the hikes are shorter so we start a bit later to let it warm up.

Why is this listed as a trailhead meet-up instead of a hike? - Geocaching is a dynamic activity in more ways than one. Cachers are constantly coming up with new ways to place caches and host events. Occasionally creativity pushes the limits too far and new rules are made. There has never been a problem on an SMHS hike; anyone who showed up was welcome to log the event even if they only went a small part of the distance hiked by the whole group, like across the parking lot. Apparently, that was not the case elsewhere in the world. As a result, "moving" events like a hike are no longer allowed to be listed. Therefore, the SMHS will continue as a series of trailhead meet-ups. We will gather for a half-hour, 7:45-8:15 am, at the trailhead to chit-chat and have a breakfast beverage and donut. That's the event. Anyone who is there for any portion of that time may log an "attended" on the event. At 8:15 am anyone who would like to continue socializing after the event may put on their pack and join me on the trail leading from the meeting place. I hope this change may end up bringing out a few more cachers who were timid about attending the SMHS in the past because they felt they could not complete the hike.

Seventh Day Adventurists Many folks have asked about the religious affiliation of Seventh Day Adventurists. There is none, it's a pun. We like to hike. On Sundays. Get it? This little bit of punniness is due to either MarshallOD or DirtDevils:). They keep blaming each other so we'll never know who said it first. It just stuck. That's what happens when you spend to much time on mountain tops in the thin air.

It was on the summit of Mount Aire 10 years and 1 week ago that the Seventh Day Adventurists were named.

• I'll have the usual reusable plastic cups fresh out of the dishwasher but feel free to BYOC.
• I'll pour all the OJ.
• Alcohol wipes, regular wipes, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and Lysol will be available.
• We're outside on a mountain top. As long as we keep our distance we should be OK without masks. Most trails are single track. We will be passing people on the return. you may want your mask handy for that.
• Many folks bring a chair for enjoying a cold drink after the hike. I've got two spares. Let's make use of chairs so we can keep our distance.
• Everyone did great remembering pens last time. In over 10 years of doing this, I think it's the first time everyone had a pen. Keep it up so we don't have to pass pens, caches, or logs on the trail. Whoever finds it signs it for everyone.

Trailhead Meet-up

When you arrive at the parking area of the posted coordinates, look for HKGSEAL license plates and geocaching flag. That's where the party will be.

Just a heads up. There may be one little hiccup with this month's plan. It is beyond the winter gate which usually closes Nov 1. Sometimes, if snow comes early, they close the gate early. If that happens, we will move the event to the Terraces picnic area just below the winter gate. Coordinates for that site are in the additional waypoints. I will post an announcement should that happen. Be sure to post a "Will Attend" so you get that announcement as an email if it happens.

There is a fee payable upon exit of the canyon. It has gone up to $5 or $50 for the annual pass, CARDS ONLY NO CASH!

Post-Event Hike

The trail to Mount Aire is moderate to very steep with the steepest part being right before the summit. Given the steepness at our usual pace (aka my pace these days), it may take us past our usual target of a 12 pm finish. I'm also going to put a long hike option out there for folks who are feeling really ambitious. We can descend from Mount Aire via the ridgeline toward Lamb's Canyon and Millvue peak. There will be bushwhacking involved in that route. Eventually, the ridgeline hits the intersecting trail which we will descend back to our cars.

If you plan to hike after the event, please come equipped with plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and other equipment (i.e. hat, hiking poles, pack, etc.) There tends to be a range of fitness levels that show up for the hikes. As the emphasis is on being social, don't worry if a steep leaves you puffing. I'll be right there clinging to a tree and puffing with you.