Another getaway from society right before July 4th sounded just about right. Working holidays nowadays has become a norm for me, so I enjoy days off when everyone else works. It guarantees for a somewhat peaceful time off and time to think.
Cataract Falls and Potrero Meadows Loop was a popular hike near the Bay area featuring a waterfall. I was excited to see any water flowing, but a true waterfall sounded amazing. I was one of the first few people in the parking lot and started the hike by myself. Immediately, I was surrounded by trees, singing birds and cool air. Life is good!
The soft soil under my hiking shoes was covered in leaves in some areas and pine needles. After a bit of flat terrain, the trail started to lose elevation pretty quickly. Stairs and stairs going downhill. The sound of trickling water was pleasant.
Quickly enough I reached the "waterfall". Unfortunately, this late in the season the water was not really "falling", but nevertheless there was water, just not a waterfall.
The pleasant hike continued with mild elevation gain and moderate loss. I knew that at some point I would have to gain it all back since the hike was indeed rated as "hard". I felt pretty good when I reached the lake. Maybe people just exaggerated...
The air was getting warmer and warmer, and by the time I reached the bridge separating two water basins, the trees became sparse and the trail wider. Soon it became a road. An exposed to sun road with all its benefits of heat. This is when elevation started to increase. A rare breeze would barely cool me off. I had to stop multiple times to take a break as sweat was pouring from my hair. It felt like I just took a shower. Where is that sweat band idea that I have been playing with before?
Sweat attracts insects, and when this happens, the hike turns into a misery! That is why several years ago I purchased a head net. Today was one of the days I needed to wear it. While I looked ridiculous to many people who were just descending, I knew they would be in my shoes a few hours later when they will be the ones heading uphill.
The hike was really beautiful, but next time I would do it counterclockwise so that hiking uphill would be in the deep forest shaded by trees.
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