Tuesday Hike: Deer Creek Tribute Trail

Today’s hike was about 60 miles north of us, at an elevation slightly lower than ours, in the town of Nevada City which was also a gold rush mining town.  The temperature was a degree below freezing when we climbed out of the car to join the rest of the group.  There were restrooms at the trailhead so we used those before starting out — it took almost two hours to get there and I had had my coffee before leaving home.  The restroom doors were standing open, so it was as cold inside as outside.  It is really hard to pee when you are sitting on a ice cold toilet.  Just sayin’.

The trail, though, was beautiful.  It followed Deer Creek which was busily singing its way along next to us.  When it came time to cross the creek, the group was very excited to see that there was a brand new extension bridge across the ravine.  The bridge was very narrow, very long, and VERY high up.  The photo doesn’t give the proper perspective but if you look at the stream you can get a sense of how far down it was.  The first two to cross the bridge enjoyed jumping and making it sway.

Meanwhile, Brett was trying to control the anxiety building inside of him.  You may remember that he was really uncomfortable in the Alps.  He is petrified of heights.  He gets panicky, he gets vertigo, he does not do well.

I took one look at the bridge and offered to turn around.  We had already come a good distance so I would have been fine with going back and exploring the town.  But Brett was determined to do it.  He did not want to be a wimp.  I went first, and Brett followed with each hand gripping the cables on either side.   He watched my feet and my backside, and every few steps said, “slow down.”  But he made it.  Fortunately, we went back a different way that did not involve that bridge.

There were choke cherries everywhere.

And a swimming hole that must be wonderful in the summer but was not at all inviting today.

After the hike, we grabbed lunch in town.  There’s nothing like a burger or a pulled pork sandwich after a long hike on a frigid day.