Capturing the Art of Nature
A hike up Mount Zoa
An ideal day for a hike on Mt. Zoa with the autumn colours just starting to show
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
Summits on the Air
2017
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The hike along the upper ridge to the summit of Mt Zoa is a lovely one, not overly tiring and full of great views. Today would be my fourth hike to this summit and Ralph’s second. He wanted to do this hike again and so we planned it for this summer. Earlier this season it was just too hot to hike an exposed trail like this, but we felt it was late enough in the season to give it a go. So our trip planned, Ralph arrived at my place for a 7:30AM departure and off we went.
The drive to Falls Lake went very smoothly though the construction on the highway was a bit annoying, we arrived in good time at the lake parking area and there we switched the truck into 4x4 mode and started up the narrow road. Last year the road was quite rutted with water erosion, today it was getting ever worse. The ‘road’ actually left the original road in one spot to get past the deep caverns the water had dug. After getting past the erosion we turned onto an even smaller side road which cut through the trees to the gas line right-of-way above the road. This road is extremely steep and gravel covered, it requires switching down into low 4x4 mode and about half way up the steepest portion we encountered a fallen tree! Well we couldn’t get past with it there, so I attached the winch to the tree and dragged it. I was hoping to snap off the upper portion but instead the whole tree came along. That got it cleared and then I started back up the slope to the level area far above.
Once parked I checked under the truck to ensure no grass was near the exhaust system and then Ralph and I got ready for the hike. We locked up the truck and made for the trailhead a 150 feet below us. Then climbing a steep bit of rock we were on the well-travelled trail to the summit. We made decent time up the initial steep section of the trail, the cool air and almost hidden sun allowed us quick work in this area. Once on the ridge the sun wouldn’t bother us as much. We were fortunate that the clouds kept the sun at bay for most of our initial climb.
The bulk of the trail meanders along the ridge skirting the steeper sections and sub-peaks until it finally reaches the true summit. Here the trail looks quite challenging from the distance. Fortunately it is easier to walk than it looks. We arrived at the summit and sat and enjoyed our lunch before setting up our radios for contacting other amateurs in the Summits-on-the-air program. Ralph soon had 7 CW contacts in his log, I struggled to get 2 voice, both of these were with hams in the Princeton area! Well I tried for some time to get two more but was not able to reach anyone. So we packed up and started the return journey.
The return as usual goes faster than the way in and we were soon back at the truck catching our breath before attacking the eroded road. The drive back down to the Falls Lake parking area went reasonably smoothly, so nothing to really say. In the parking lot I switched the truck back to regular mode and we headed for the highway. As it was getting later in the day we decided to drive to Hope and eat dinner at the Blue Moose. Done with dinner our next stop was back at my home. A lovely hike with many amazing sights.