At the trail head is a map of the valley and a sign in log. While I was putting on my boots I hope someone signed us in. Last year we went in a clock wise direction and I felt that it was a harder hike that way. So we took off in a counter clock-wise direction around 10:20. Debi and a few other took off a little early. Barb and I were in the middle of the pack for a while.
Three days ago I walked the lower loop and cleared much of the small branches that blocked the trail. There were a lot of bigger trees across the trail that needed at least a hand saw. After about 1/2 hour Barb suggested to those behind us to pass us by. Being the "novice" of the group she was walking at a slower pace.
Soon we fell far behind and after 1 hour (11:20) had reached the "bunker" area which is the junction of the lower and upper loops. Barb sat down for a rest and decided that the lower loop was enough. The arrow on the sign points to where we had come out of the "bush".
