Blackett's Ridge Redux Redux

Blackett's Ridge Trail is my go-to hike if I have three hours to spare and want a quick test to see if I am still alive—or approaching death by getting effing old—and it's so accessible being basically in town, or at least the trailhead is. This is my third hike up this wonderful ridge, the two previous visits being in January of 2017 and December of 2018. In fact, this picture to the left (and two others) was lifted from the 2017 hike as most of my pics today were shot using my good camera, my trusty old Canon G12. Unfortunately, I left my cable to import photos to my computer back in Iowa.  This is unfortunate as the skies cleared and opened up a lot of great shots. When I get my replacement cable, I'll rectify matters, unless I realize, rightfully, that it matters not as no one actually looks at this blog.

I am actually surprised made it up and back in less time this year than last year. I do now have my National Park senior pass. As they used to say in those old Clairol ads, you're not getting old, you're getting better. Hah!

Ok, my good pal Ira wasn't on this hike—he's in Newcastle, UK visiting his Premier League grandson DeAndre,  and attending Newcastle United matches—but again, back to the camera. I took a picture of the stream this year, and my feet, shoes doffed, but for naught. This picture is from 2017, but in February and with snow melt. I was surprised that the stream was so high, unusual for this time of year. But the rains have been torrential lately.

Photo from 2017. This is actually what it looked like today, after the clouds burned off.

A rocky and steep trail.

False summit numero dos.

The actual summit, with the skies beginning to clear.