a big hike with caves and all

Julia, Kristi, and I went on a hike yesterday. A big one, 5.5 miles to be exact, and Julia completed it no problem. It took us about 2 hours and 45 minutes. We started around 2 pm and had to be out of the Aliso and Wood Canyon Wilderness Area before sunset. We cut it close.


In order to get to our destintations we needed to take several trails. The Aliso Creek Trail is a 15 mile trail that starts out in on Santiago Canyon Road and makes it all the way to the beach. We only needed to walk 1.5 miles of this paved trail. It was a hot day, 80 degrees. Seriously, it was that warm 6 days before Christmas. The next trail we took was Woodland Trail. We took that to the Cave Rock Trail and then hiked up, around, and through Cave Rock. It was pretty cool and we were the only people there. Julia was able to slide down a few of the holes.

Next we headed another mile or so to the dripping cave, aka robber's cave. It was big and there is a neat legend about robber's who used to hide here many year ago.

There are two creeks running through the park. We saw a large crane, rabbits, and a squirrel.

Julia was pretty funny. She brought the "necessities" for hiking in her bag. They are water, stickers, and perfume. That is exactly what a 6 year old needs in thw wilderness.

I will definitely be going back once the spring flowers come in.