We started this adventure, like so many other hikes, at Home Depot. All carpooled together, excited for this very long hike. We started this hike just before the sun rose over Cardiac Mountain. All made it up the Bluff Springs Trail. (Terry, Joyce, Terry and myself Chris).

The sun was just coming up about 7 AM. The group of us then proceeded up the Bluff Springs Trail to the Dutchman’s Trail. At this time, it was still cool weather, so we keep going because of the long length of the hike. On the Dutchman’s Trail we encountered several creek bed crossings and we finally met up with another hiker, so we were already 9 miles into this hike before we got our group picture.

We were starting to look for a place with some shade, and we found it it was very shaded and had running water in the stream, the rocks were quite cool to the touch, a perfect place for lunch. We had a very nice lunch, were we decided, because of the temperature and timing, we would shorten this hike. It was planned for 18 miles.

Within a mile we got to the Terrapin Trail junction. We decided it would cut a few miles of rather than taking the Peralta Trail back. The trail starts very quickly going up, then up, and yes more up. I was glad we took the Terrapin Trail, because I haven’t been on this trail for several years, I had forgotten had challenging the trail could be. This trail also had very nice views, rock formation and views of Weaver’s Needle.

We took a break at the top and then proceeded down where we finally saw the Bluff Spring Trail again. We started down the Bluff Springs Trail to a place that had a small amount of shade where we took another small break before the last stretch to the car. I filtered a little water that was needed. The Bluff Springs Trail goes down has very nice views of the valley. We all finished the hike.

This hike took us 10 hours, and we completed 15.5 miles and accumulated elevation gain of +-2500'.

When we made it back, we decided to eat at Oregano’s across the street. I didn’t remember pizza tasting that good, or if I was just very hungry from the adventure.