First Hike of Winter (Sky Trail to Mt. Wittenburg)

The first hike of winter once again began up Sky Trail to Mount Wittenburg at Point Reyes National Seashore.  Two years ago we had drizzy rain that washed out our lunch stop on top of the mountain.  Last year we had sunny skies.  This year the weather was "tween"---cool at the outset, with the sun peeking through the clouds now and again, and no rain at all.

Old hands and a couple of new hikers met at the trailhead about a quarter to ten to recap the past week's activities and fondly remember our absent friend, Silvia Lange.  Then it was straight uphill for an hour plus until we reached Sky Camp and took a break to hear about the history of the long-gone "Z" Ranch which stood at this location.

About two hours into the hike Chimney Rock could be spotted through the trees and off to the west.  Within another half hour we were sprawled out on the top of Mount Wittenburg to enjoy a lunch break before winding our way northward and downhill to our starting point.

Along the way we saw a number of mushrooms and the flowers heralding the nearness of Spring and the ultimate end to what has been a wet Winter in Marin.