Sat, Jun 20 2009 - Gregory Bald Azalea Hike - Advanced (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Pam, Paula Schubert Participants: Pam, Paula Schubert, Christopher Bolton, Jason B, Gary Babiarz, Jon Miner, Danny, Julie Peters, Steven Peters, Marshall, Jeff Gimpel, Dave Gregory, Ron Walker, Kathy Malone

Gregory Bald

Our group of happy hikers started the adventure near the crack of dawn.  10 of us met up at the carpool, and had planned to meet up with the rest of the group at the trailhead no later than 10am.  It was a looong drive and we had to make a few stops.

We hit the trailhead at 10:45.  The climb up was grueling in the heat.  Our group broke up into 3 different groups:  Super fast, Fast and Pretty darn fast.  One group saw a big timber rattler on the way up.

The climb up included the companionship of the river for the first few miles, then up up and away we went.  Did I mention the heat?  It was GRUELING.  We were all drenched with sweat less than 30 minutes after starting.  Three liters of water was NOT enough for most of us, good thing Paula had her filter!  Other than the fact it was unrelenting for miles, the hike up was mostly unremarkable.  A few flowers and fungus here and there, but not a lot going on.  It was the hot side of the mountain. 

When we got within about 1000 feet of the top, the mountain went from a blend of mostly greens and browns to the occasional pop of color.  First it was a fire pink then it was a tiny bluette, then finally, the occasional flame azalea!  Score!

After what seemed like an endless climb of looong switchbacks, the path finally became lined in blueberries (a crazy amount of blueberries) … we were at Parson's Bald.  Less than a mile to our target, Gregory Bald!

Just before the top of the mountain, there is a path.  Just down the path I could see giant splotches of bright red across the small meadow.  I am not sure I'll ever be able to describe what I saw, but as I got closer I could see the color was so vibrant it was almost surreal.  When viewed through polarized lenses, it was like being on another planet.  The color seemed alive! 

Our group enjoyed lunch and long exploration of the bald.  Sure, it would have been easy to just lay down in the grass and watch the clouds dance by, or enjoy the 360 views of the surrounding mountains… but there was much to see on the bald!  We were truly there at peak bloom.  We were really lucky.  The variety of colors was just incredible, and they were everywhere.  Bright reds, pinks, salmons, yellows, oranges, whites (the white ones smell really good!), and any combination of the above could be seen.  We also witnessed a big snake eating a smaller snake.  And a deer who was nearly completely unperturbed by our presence. 

The hike down was really pretty and pleasant, and we were gifted with a nice breeze for about half of the way down.  The trail was peppered with flowers and fungus of many different shapes, sizes and colors.  But the trail was never ending.  Just when we thought we must be getting within a mile of the cascades, we'd see a sign for another 3 miles. 

Finally, we reached the Cascades!  These are a series of cascading waterfalls that has an area at the top where you can either dip your feet or yourself.  We had a few people try out each option, and everyone enjoyed it!  The water was FREEZING cold but so refreshing after our long sweaty hike.  Our feet sure did enjoy the break!

All in all, I can’t wait to go back, and I think the same is true for our whole group.  Thanks to Paula and everyone else on the trip; you guys and gals were great company J  It was a real pleasure to be amongst such fun people and strong hikers!