Our plan is to hike the trail from Hidden Beach and cross over to Kalabera Road. The trail is apparently an old road from yesteryear. The last time we went on this hike, our group somehow split up and both groups got lost for a while before each found separate trails to reach the trail head. We hope to not repeat the same this time. We expect the trail to be somewhat muddy, as the rainy season approaches with frequent downpours. Everyone is advised to bring gloves to prepare for the rough terrain.
At 5:45 a.m. five of us gather at the driveway: Handy, Cutie, Eric (Tortoise), Rhoda (Hare), Capt. Charlie. We head down the Xterra Trail. Xterra Trail has grown over a bit, but still hikable. One portion of the trail has suffered serious erosion from the run-off of heavy rainfalls.
Rhoda, the Hare, gives Eric the Tortoise, his bottle of water so he won't get dehydrated. The sword grass has grown closer onto the trail.
Handy removing a rock inside his shoes.
Tired while hiking? Here is a perfectly good box spring waiting for a mattress to complete a comfortable sleeping arrangement. Find this on the way to Hidden Beach.
After locating the trail head near the beach, we have to descend a steep slope down to the trail. Eric seems to be caught in a tangle of dried tree trunks and branches. The slope is slippery with loose rocks, leaves and branches.
Handy and Hare Rhoda carefully hanging onto branches to make their way down.
At the lower section of the trail, we follow the ribbons to a cave. Handy decides to check it out. He finds some rocks stacked at the entrance, although the cave itself is only about ten feet deep.
The first part of the trail is quite open and flat, and is covered with this beautiful green ground cover.
An old Japanese concrete marker is tied with an orange tape. We don't know why, and there are no other markers around.
Somewhere along the line, we must have followed the wrong ribbons, as we come face to face with a large rock formation that prevents us from going further. We search for another way around the rock, but we are unable to do so. Finally everyone agrees to turn back to the rock garden we have seen earlier, and have our snacks. Handy and Cutie look a bit dejected. It is a little disappointing, but we will try again another time.
How to get down a slippery slope? Each person has a different way: Rhoda goes backward, Cutie tackles it front way, and Eric chooses side way.
After coming out the trail head, we hear that Tortoise and Hare have not been to the Hidden Beach for many years, so we decide to hike down there. It is quite calm today, and a perfect place for a group photo.
Hidden Beach.
"Two Old Men"? Handy informs us later that there is some very disturbing trash sightings.
Part of the Xterra Trail that is eroded, and this section is seriously undermined.
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