Mountain Adventures: Trail Exploration Guide Service

Home  Page Kitty Condo Playhouse Pet Collars Curtain Tiebacks 1-PC Desktop Screensavers 2-PC Desktop Screensavers Decorative Magnets 1-Cat's Cradle 2-Cat's Cradle 3- Cat's Cradle 1-Horse Corral 2-Horse Corral Barnyard Pen Chicken Coop China Cabinet Horsepower  Paddock 1-Pottery Barn 2-Pottery Barn 1-Barbie Bin 2-Barbie Bin 1-Gifts/Collectibles 2-Gifts/ Collectibles 3-Gifts/Collectibles 4-Gifts/Collectibles 5-Gifts/Collectibles 6-Gifts/Collectibles 7-Gifts/Collectibles Recipe Box CD's 1-DVD's/VHS 2-DVD's/VHS 3-DVD's/VHS 1-Jewelry Box 2-Jewelry Box Clothing & Accessories Book Shelves Hiking Guide Service Customer  Comments Closing Remarks Payment and Contact Information Guest Book

Below are just a few pictures I've taken of some of the many trails at Toro Regional County Park in Salinas, CA. Trips last anywhere from 1-5 hours, depending on where you want to go and your hiking skill, mental determination, physical condition, and stamina. Hiking is where I find myself; I could be up in the mountains for 5 hours & it seems I'd only been gone 1/2 hour- that's how much I "get in the zone" & that's when you realize you're doing something you truly love. If you want the full tour to get the mountain top views, ask for the "perimeter loop tour," it's 4-5 hours starting at E. Ridge to E. Toyon to Coyote Springs to Ollason Peak (1,800') to Ollason Trail. For those not faint of heart, balancing on a razorback ridgetop above Devils Throne is a thrill. There's something for every level at Toro. Want to have 128 pictures I've taken of this magnificent park on your PC? I sell it on the PC Screensaver tab.

For those who enjoy the great outdoors, good exercise, glimpses of wildlife and spectacular views, I offer a hiking guide service.  For $12/day per person or group/$24 for the longer perimeter loop, I'll show you the trails at the breathtaking Toro Regional County Park in Salinas, California.  I take excursions on the weekends, leaving no later than 7 am, earlier during warmer months to avoid heat stroke as many trails are in the sun with little comfort of shade, by going early, we can avoid any uncomfortable situations.  Go to my Contact Information page on this web site and email me and we can set up a day to have an exploring adventure in the mountains. Payment is required prior to the hiking day so I don't have to waste time & gasoline for no-shows. Hikers should follow the tips below before showing up for an outing:
  • Bring minimum of one 20 oz. bottle of water for each hour there.
  • Wear comfortable hiking boots, if new, get ½ size too big & wear 1 pair thick socks. Tight boots make blisters.
  • Make sure toenails are trimmed, protruding nails can cut a hole in your socks when going downhill & cause pain
  • Bring a hat, sunglasses & either a backpack or fanny pack
  • Bring a note stating: in case of emergency, call _______________
  • Bring cell phone
  • Don’t wear red as most areas have range bulls
  • Bring small binoculars & camera if you like
  • Bring 4 aspirin & chap stick lip balm
  • Bring snacks: nuts/trail mix, energy bar or fruit are good choices
  • Wear long pants to avoid getting stung by poisonous plants/insects or poison oak
  • Wear T-shirt or long shirt to protect from sunburn or scratches & light jacket you can tie around your waist or fit in your pack once warmed up
  • Wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF on exposed skin
  • Let someone at home or friend know where you’re going
  • Leave note at Park gate of route you’re taking, expected time of return & your cell phone #
  • Don’t run or jog or ride bikes-predators mistake you as prey & don’t wear earphones- you won’t hear a predator (man or animal) until it’s too late
  • If confronted by a lion or bear, do not run, freeze & get your pepper spray out or a rock or stick & raise your arms to look large & make lots of noise.  Most attacks happen because the predator is surprised or will go after a moving target, so make noise as you hike
  • Don’t hike with your dog as it is prey for wildlife & attracts them
  • Women: never hike when on your menstrual cycle- the smell of blood attracts predators from miles away who mistake you as injured/easy prey
  • If hiking alone, bring a whistle (can be heard much farther than a shout); either a knife or pepper spray & flint-lock firestarter is also a good idea too in case you get lost & need to spend the night-fires will keep you warm, cook food, & help detour predators


 

Trail leading up to Wildcat Canyon

Great Oak along Myers Loop

Cougar Ridge Trail

Hiking at Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay

Nature and the mountains are beckoning and I must go. Exploring the meadows sweet-scented with wildflowers, tall grass gently swaying to and fro, magnificent Oaks waving a greeting on a lovely breeze, Manzanita, and the wild smell of Sage brush, cool, clear, life-giving water whispering by on it’s journey somewhere, big beautiful boulders over 10 feet around covered in shades and textures of lichen, butterflies rejoicing in a drink of nectar gently gliding by, deer contently grazing, wild turkeys ruffling their feathers to impress the girls, eagles soaring, vultures perched amongst the rocky crags, ascending onward, upward, up and down mountains and valleys I meander, constantly gazing in awe at all around me, at the path going on and on ahead of me, I wondered what would happen if I just kept going, into the wilderness, where would it take me, where would it end, if ever?  I did not turn around out of fear of the unknown but instead I kept going on, eager in anticipation to see what was around the next bend or what I could behold from the next mountain top.   

-Carrie Wilkinson-

Some favorite naturalist quotes:

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

“In the wilderness is the preservation of the world”- Henry David Thoreau

“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave”- Native American Proverb

“Man's heart away from nature becomes hard”- Standing Bear

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks”- John Muir

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves"- John Muir

"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in"- John Muir

"As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can"- John Muir

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, covered in scars, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, “Yahoo, what a ride!”  Bear Grylls

Just can't get enough of the mountains, here I am on my annual exploration of my favorite hiking place: Yosemite. Eat your heart out, Bear Grylls...California "rocks!"

 

Range Angus cattle at Coyote Springs

Descent down ridgetop of the Devil's Throne (Gilson Gap Trail)