Sun, Dec 11 2011 - East Palisades - New Route w/ Lots of Un-mapped Trails and Most of the Mapped Trails (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Mark Participants: Mark, Armin, rocksriversky, Bill S, LIM Verona (Laura M)

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Write Up:
We had 5 avid hikers who met at East Palisades for a fast paced hike on a brisk day. We hiked 7.25 miles, had 1,500 feet of ascent, at an average speed over 3 mph, and covered virtually all of the marked and unmarked trails in the park. Although we were speedy while moving, we did enjoy several brief stops at 4 or 5 of the park's highlights. During one of our stops we had a bird befriend us. It first landed on Armin's head, then on Tami's shoe, sat on a rock next to my head, and made several hovering glances just inches from each of our shoulders. It was one of the most unusual displays by a bird that any of us had ever seen. Although it had similarities to a wild Chickadee or small finch, we wondered if it might have been a pet that escaped, because it didn't seem to have any fear of us. But then again, with our friendly group, why would it.

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