It was a snarky kind of day with possible rain and the spotting of our first wildflowers of the new year. There have been unusual warm days in Ashland.
The 12 of us were off up the Bandersnatch trail, stopping to admire the art along the lower trail. We gathered for a group photo around Marty the Fisher. Then we hiked up the trail past many purple snow queens flowering along the trail. At the picnic table we saw new snow on Grizzly Peak. We trekked further up Bandersnatch and turned right onto the Snark trail.
Tree bark and rocks were covered with lime green moss and multiple types of lichen. The downward Snark trail wound along a crashing Ashland Creek. We stopped for a chocolate snack above the forbidden road to Reeder Reservoir. Finally, we followed the trail further along the creek and back to the trail head.
The hike in the mossy forest was over too soon, and next time I will add the Gryphon loop to the trail plan.
Distance: 3 miles, elevation gain: 400’.
Kay
Hike Date: 2024-02-02
Photos By: Kay
