Location: Caprock Canyons State Park Date: 9/30/17
Distance: 9 miles
Trails: Main highlights were Canyon Loop and Upper Canyon (did some walking down random stream beds, along the roadway, etc)
It was gray and misty, mild humidity, and cool in temperature. We set out from the campground down to a desert stream bed to see if it would lead to where we needed to go. Long story short, the stream bed did not take us where we wanted to go so we made our way back to camp and out to the road and onward to the trailhead parking lot - about a mile or so. Started on the Canyon Loop trail, which was familiar from our spring trek, and headed around to the Upper Canyon trail. We followed the Upper Canyon trail to the northeast corner of the park to a spot called Fern Cave. We passed two women hiking out of Fern Cave and they said it was spectacular. As we headed down the steep rocks into the cave, we realized they weren't kidding. The natural spring and temperature control create the perfect habitat for these ferns to grow. I've included a photo from 3/4 of the way down the descent:
The dog enjoyed fresh, cool water, and then we made our way out. We ran into a couple that was camping near us - and their dogs - and chatted for a second before heading back the way we came. We passed the women we saw earlier, they were enjoying a snack break, and we carried on. We get almost two miles down - to the point where we almost turn right on the Canyon Loop trail, and we are stopped because there is a huge bison on the trail. The bison was rolling in the clay when he wasn't staring us down. The women catch up, we brainstorm, and try a few options for getting around him as you aren't supposed to get too close or interact. We finally find a path through the woods - or overgrown brush really - that get us far enough around him to be safe-ish. The bison did start coming off trail towards where we were, but we just booked it as quickly as we could to put distance between us. The last mile-mile and a half was spent processing a situation I would have never guessed would happen. A lesson learned is always be prepared - it may have not been a bear or mountain lion, but a bison could be deadly if he charges.
By far, my most memorable hike yet. Here are some photos:
Hike 39 of 52
Total Miles: 174.5
Total solo hikes so far: 13/39
Total companion hikes so far: 27/39
Total hikes w/ the dog: 14/39
Total unique locations: 24/39
Total number of hikes fully enjoyed: 36/39