My favorite trailheads are those with no cars in the parking lot. Beau and I usually find this rare event during the early hours before most have sipped their first coffee.

This morning, my furry sidekick and I decided to tackle a portion of Prospect Heights Trail. We drove up the hill to the parking lot and to our delight, there was not a car to be seen. That lowered my pre-hike nerves considerably because Beau is still learning that other dogs have a right to be on his trails.

We were feeling adventurous and Beau was full of himself. Harnessed and leashed, he led the way for our first 1/2 mile. Soon, we came across a side trail that I’ve passed probably 100 times with Layla, Sandi and now my three-year old border collie boy wonder.

I’ve always wanted to explore that path and today was as good as any so off we went.

The trail was dry for the most part and seemed unexplored. I heard fast-moving water in the distance and nothing else. For a moment it felt like I was exploring a remote mountainside as old-time prospectors did a century ago - where no one had been before. That mindset was immediately dispelled as I looked to the ground and saw a colorful trail of Fruit Loop cereal, probably dropped by a child days earlier. So much for my active imagination.

Campbell Creek as it flows through a large canyon. Access to this view is limited. Careful scrutiny will reveal a blue vehicle that was rolled off the ledge long ago.

Back to reality, Beau and I continued on for another 1/2 mile and stopped to behold a sight I’ve never seen. My heart rate, already at a good pace from the exercise, skyrocketed. We had come upon the edge of a cliff. Perhaps 500 feet below was Campbell Creek as it rushed through a deep, wide canyon. My fear of heights kicked in and I backed away. I tightened my grip and gathered more leash in my hand, thankful that Beau was well-harnessed. This was the same feeling one has on a roller coaster when the ‘click clack click clack click … click … click’ stops right before you free fall toward the earth in an open metal can.

A few moments passed. I slowly began to appreciate the beautiful view while keeping in mind “What if an earthquake happened right now?”

In the awe of the moment, I snapped a couple iPhone photos and suddenly a brown Great Horned Owl flew through the canyon below. It was carrying part of a snowshoe hare, its talons and food bouncing in sync with its wings. It glided into the trees and out of sight. It was incredible.

That’s when things became really interesting.

Beau looks skeptical while perched underneath a decades-old pick axe that may or may not have been used for gold mining long ago.

Beau and I continued on, walking alongside the canyon. We saw a blue tarp on the ground in the trees alongside the edge of the cliff. From what I could see, it was covering a purple, down jacket. I wasn’t quite sure if someone was inside the jacket and under the tarp. We quietly approached, not wanting to disturb a camper or Fruit Loop fancier. I usually like to make sure that others are okay along the trail. I also respect each person’s privacy. One never knows what you might find in a forest.

A mix of emotions swept over me as we stepped closer and saw a rusty pick axe stuck to the stump of a tree. Visions of Deliverance stoked my adrenaline and added hesitance to my curiosity. An axe and campsite on the top of a cliff overlooking a rushing river? What could possibly be wrong with this?

Soon, I was close enough to realize that it was an abandoned campsite. The jacket was empty. Part of a tree was laid over the tarp to keep it from blowing away. The sound of banjos serenading my paranoia faded, but not completely.

I tied Beau to a nearby tree and crept carefully toward the ledge of the canyon. I snapped another couple of photos while remembering that this would not be a good time to drop my phone or myself.

Soon, we were hiking back to the trailhead. Other cars with people and dogs were beginning to arrive as we were loading up into the Subaru. Another adventure complete with most of the day remaining to be explored.

dj

Fruit Loop on the Trail