golv: i needed my yak traks today (4/52)

 Today was a Get Out Lehigh Valley walk, this time at Jacobsburg State Park. It was billed as a winter walk in the woods...thinking there might be some snow. I don't think anybody expected a layer of ice.

The bridge was out, so instead of entering the park a mile off the highway, we had to drive all the way around the park. The parking lot is right on the other side of the closed bridge. (I wonder if they will add sidewalks to the new one?)

We met in the lot and headed up a trail toward the eco-center. Then we entered the woods and there was a little coating of snow and black ice on almot all the trails we took.

Uphill was bad. Downhill was worse. People fell. Thankfully I didn't. I walked on the edges in the trails, in the crash. Yeah, sometimes there were bushes and stuff to deal with, but that's easier than ice..

The creek was partially frozen.

We've had some crazy weather. Sub-freezing, to spring like, and back to freezing. Many of the river and waterfalls in the state were frozen solid, with ice dams. I don't know what force broke this ice dam, but the ice was heaved up on the creek banks like boulders.

There was even ice in the meadows. This plant is a mulla (ptilotus exaltatus) It's a printy pink in the summer. It looks cactus-like in the dead of winter.

 The walk ended with a stroll down the Henry's Woods path.

52 week hike challenge:  4/52
Miles/Steps:   3 mile 
Weather:        30°, windy, bright and sunny. The wind hurt.
Bathroom:      I didn't go in. But I heard they were HEATED. Hense they were popular. Outside the bathrooms are hitching posts to anchor your pets while you're in the bathrooms.
Wildlife:         One single bird. A nuthatch, maybe?
Extra:             The Trail Winter Challenge began on the first. You only need 30 miles in one month. Easy.

HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY BARB & GARY