Overcast with periods of rain. Temperatures in the 50s.
It’s been over a week since I last went up a significant hill, so I decided today was a day make the effort.
I initially was thinking Verstovia. However, it’s been years since I have been up Gavan Hill trail beyond where the ibuttons are, and ultimately I settled on going up that way.
I had a call starting at 8:30am and hoped to be on Gavan Hill trail proper before starting. I biked the cross trail (via Baranof Street connector). With only 10 minutes to get there from when I left home, I had to push harder than I could do sustainably and even then didn’t quite make it.
I think in part because I had pushed so hard on the bike, going up the hill felt a little more challenging. I stopped several times to let my heart and breathing settle.
I abandoned my initial intenion of getting to the ridge line and turned around at the viewpoint instead. I didn’t track time like I do on Verstovia, so I’m not sure how long it took me. I can say the call ended (at 10:30) while I was on my way down.
Despite my split attention, I did hear birds singing on the way up. I don’t remember noticing Hermit Thrushes until I was heading down, but I suspect they were there the whole time.
I made note (but no photos) of cut banks. Many had intact ash deposits, but some appeared to be more like glacial till. Perhaps it’s not actually till, but material that accumulated over time post glacier (due to gravity and water).
I noticed a single delight (Moneses uniflora) open – the first I’ve seen. I thought I got a brief whiff of the lemony scent their flowers produce, but when I leaned over to smell it, I couldn’t detect any odor. I’m not sure if there was another one in the area. I looked briefly but didn’t spot one. Alternatively, the flower might have sparked a sense memory of the smell. I remember that happening once before looking at a photo. It’s good to know I have the capability in principle, perhaps I can cultivate it and have access to that kind of memory more consistently.
For the bike ride home, I took the Indian River way, and made a loop of the whole trip. I enjoyed the some speed on downhills feeling the bike move under me as I went over the small dips and rises, and trying to push my awareness as far in front of me as I could (lest I be surprised and run into someone coming up the trail).
My iNaturalist Observations for Today
