Sunset on Pine Mt.

Don’t tell Hawk… but I hiked in cotton.  *gasp!*  That’s right, I climbed a mountain in jeans.  And I lived. 🤣

It’s kind of a running joke.  In reality, hiking in cotton is not recommended, because it does not wick sweat as well as performance synthetics, nor does it dry as fast if you get wet.  This truly can be a danger (or at best a discomfort) on serious/big hikes, esp. in cooler weather when hypothermia is a real risk.  That said, when you’re doing a small hike - esp. in familiar territory, when you know what to expect, know your timing, and the weather forecast is predictable and mild - then really, it matters a lot less what you wear.

It was a beautiful sunny day with temps in the 50's.  I was determined to get out and enjoy it after work!  Unfortunately, getting up the motivation to do so alone is a challenge.  I was prepared to go by myself, but it would be a big push, and I'd easily find an excuse to just stay home.  Thankfully, I convinced Hummingbird to squeeze in time for a quick sunset hike up Pine with me, in between her already busy schedule.  The Nature Therapy did us both good!

I didn't bother changing out of my jeans and tee shirt before going; I just threw on a fleece vest (finally, non-cotton! LOL) and my hiking boots (along with Darn Tough socks & Dirty Girl gaiters) and called it good enough.  And it was.  I did pack gloves and a jacket just in case the temperature dropped so much I needed them (certainly a possibility, although it didn't happen), but otherwise I was traveling light.  We've done this hike so many times, I know we are out there for less than an hour, and don't really need any special gear, at least now that the ice is gone.  

This hike can't count toward our 52, as we've already done all of the Morse Preserve's official trails this year.  We do have an invitation to hike up a different side of Pine from private land, which will give us totally different sights and views.  We're excited about that opportunity!  But for now, our additional Pine hikes will only count for miles.  But that won't stop us!  It's such a great hike, always pretty no matter the season or conditions, overall easy but still a decent workout, a little bit of everything, and so quick and local.  You really can't beat the bang for your buck here.

Speaking of bang, enjoy this collection of "nature porn."  (Yeah I know, I said I'd curb that joke.  But, well, this is me.  I'm an Aries; poor filters and slightly twisted humor.  So you're just gonna have to deal with it sometimes. 😉)

This cairn/rock stack is new.  You're really not supposed to build these (google why), but I can't deny I still think it looks cool.

I definitely took "too many" sunset pics.  (Is there such a thing?)  But it was so pretty!  The photos really don't do full justice to what our eyes saw.

Still some mud on trail in places, but it's starting to improve.  At least no rivers this time.

4/5 Pine Mt. sunset, 1.6 mi, 39/47 min, 305 ft.