HIDDENBROOKE TRAIL February 23, 2013

In need of some hiking, I was up at a good hour, this Saturday. With my car running well enough, I figured that with no big road trip this winter, I had better use it. Leaving home, I took Interstate 80 westbound.

My goal was to just do some hiking, and I found some information by the Net about this relatively new trail in a recently added open space area. It looked to be easy hiking with even a summit view of sorts possible. I had done more research to find other trails to do in case of problems, but didn’t plan any fine dining, being on a strict diet.

Stopping along the way for breakfast, I used the restroom as there are no facilities at the high trailhead or along the route. Taking the American Canyon Road/Hiddenbrooke Parkway Exit, I drove a mile or so to the presumed lower and second trailhead. A website warned of parking restrictions, and advised to park back at the Park and Ride next to the freeway, if you were uncomfortable with the signs. It is a private and somewhat gated community, and I sought no trouble. Since there is a good paved bike trail leading from the somewhat primitive Park and Ride, I drove back to do that.

The bike trail leads in a few hundred yards to the first and highest trailhead, with signs. The distances are short, but now I had some slight urge as I took the first hill. I can hold it in, so hiked up over a hill or two, and would do this hike quickly. I ran into two other hikers as I came to a trail junction below the Hiddenbrooke Summit. I went right as I figured the highest point was way to the right. It was directly up, but I’d do some exploring. I shortly saw that the route dropped around the high hill, but figured a trail would lead right to the far hill, but I hadn’t looked at my maps too well. It follows along a fence, then runs into a road leading into private property.

I continued around the hill left and counterclockwise, then came upon some good views. A dirt road here leads to the highest hilltop, but a trail sign indicated a route to the right again. Heading back north, I soon saw that I was going to pass by the hilltop, but wouldn’t count this as a peak, anyway. I gained some more vistas, and then completed my hill loop by coming back to the trail that led me to this hill from the north. Another two hikers told me that a side trail east leads back to a small shopping mall in the subdivision, the trailhead that I had checked out first.

Eager to get back, I hiked back down the trail that I had taken up, and came back to the bike trail and signs. I did some movie clips as I took the paved bike trail, but my battery was getting low. Back to my car at 12:20 p.m., I had hiked some 4.5 miles with 800 feet gain.

Heading back east on the Interstate, I came back to a restaurant where I used the restroom so gladly, and had some drink and food. From here, there is another park and hike to do, so I had to get some rest.

Taking Suisun Valley Road north, then, I turned left on Rockville Road to get to the parking lot for Rockville Hills Regional Park. It was full, with a fee, so I figured to do this another day. I had another thing to do, so got back on the Interstate to exit for more drink and another break.

Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area is situated along the Yolo Bypass, so I figured to do some photography and slight walking. I soon found there is more than had been here on my last time here, so came to a parking area with signs for an auto tour. I stopped for telephotos of some birds, then took the gravel road about the wetlands. I now had another urge to go, so had to shorten my auto tour. I did some video again, and then completed a loop about a large marsh, and came back to the signs, then used the restroom at the nearby fruit stand, with the purchase of a small drink. So the day wasn’t nearly ended, but my trip was. I headed home, then stopped for some more food, and came home in the late afternoon.

I had driven 121 miles, and captured 161 images and movie clips (38.8 MB, 720p HD, 1:04). Spending about $12 on food and drink, I maybe used 3 gallons of gas, gotten at 3.879 a few days before.

Heartened by doing this instead of sticking about home, I wondered if I could do another series of light hikes as last winter, again. I hope to lose more weight and regain my health, wishing for some good assistance, there. Mentioning that I’d rather be dead than trapped in a sedentary existence in pain, I guess that I’ll see how this goes.

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