Since I'm leading 2 short NCT hikes this weekend, I needed a longer hike this wk, and my neighbor Janine wanted to do both the hike & paddle this time, so I opened it up to GTHC & TAPC members, too, with only 2 days' notice. At first, it was just Tracie, Dean & Diane, then 2 more late last night, then those 2 cancelled this morn due to work, but Bob B, Marv & Marlene decided mid-morn to join us, too. During the hike, it was impossible to keep track on my iphone, but it didn't matter, when we got to Woodpecker Creek, the more the merrier! Janine & I had locked up our boats & hidden our paddle gear this morn, so while the others were unloading, we transitioned from hiking boots to river sandals, and got another quick snack. (PS-All during the hike, Janine & I sneezed due to blowing pollen, which we discovered was covering the eddies on the river, once we started paddling. Never been this bad!)
It was a hot afternoon on the river, but we were cooled by the gusty breeze, and I, in Grand Canyon fashion, kept soaking my shirt in the river. We enjoyed sharing stories while following the "V" down the riffles. After a wonderful paddle, 7 of us loaded for a reverse shuttle into my van, along with 2 canoes & 4 kayaks on my rack & trailer, for the 20-minute drive back to Woodpecker Creek. The end of another fun day with friends!
Trip Report by Trip Leader, Sara Cockrell
Sara, Janine, Diane & Dean, Bob, Marlene & Marv (Tracie in kayak on other side of river)
