Profile Beach (Old Man)

Having done a pretty tough  hike the previous Sunday, we decide to repeat the feat. Old Man by the Sea (aka Profile Beach) is our target destination. Early dawn finds us gathering at CC's driveway for our trek down Xterra trail. Chops, Dora, Jane (Bruiser is temporarily out of commission), Spicegirl, and CC form the all-girl team. Although there are some clouds in the sky, it predicts a warmer day ahead. We begin our hike.

One of the rewards for early starts is this gorgeous sunrise. After the initial shaded trail, we come upon an open space and is welcomed by the rising sun over the blue water. 

Our next view over the grassy field and across the valley is the sight of "Radar Hill", where for a few years in the 80's, a satellite dish was installed as part of Reagan's Star War preparation. This is gone now, but the name stuck.

Dear Spicegirl shows up with an entirely different regalia of camouflage outfit and a Mao cap. We feel compelled to salute her and address her as General Lee. Dora seems to ignore this momentous occasion.

We turn off from Talofofo Road onto the trail leading to the beach. The original trail having been blocked off by a barbed wire fence, Dora, Jane, and Gen. Lee pick their way carefully on the narrow path for the hill.

CC descends the steep slope with the help of this blue rope. Today the slope is not too slippery.

Chops is on the next series of ropes to continue down the steep slope.

Further down the hill, Jane is near the bottom, toward the grove of tangled trees and branches.

Dora leads the way to tackle the thickets of branches. It's a bit like Dorothy entering the forest of Yellow Brick Road journey. Watch out for the trees coming alive!

This is definitely tough for Chops as she bends low to avoid being bumped on the head.

The tangled mess of branches goes on and on for what seems like a very long distance. Even shorter General Lee and her troop (Jane and Dora) have to stoop low, but with good humor.

Finally arriving at the beach, and we are rewarded with this profile of an old man in the misty morning air.

The Michael Jackson Fan Club members showing off their one-gloved hands: CC, Jane, Spicegirl, Dora. 

CC forgets the usual tablecloth, so Jane creatively tears up two plastic bags for this makeshift cloth. We are hungry and no matter, we wolf down the snacks in quick order.

Satiated, and happy, we must pose with the old man before the long hike all the way uphill!

Chops decides to use the butt-walk method of going down this slippery hill. Dora keeps an eye on her and gives her the thumbs-up.

After the long climb back up Talofofo Road and onto Xterra, General Lee demonstrates the effectiveness of her camouflage. We are properly impressed.

This is another 4.5 hour hike, and we are all pretty exhausted with the sun and humidity. But it is a very enjoyable. It is a five sneaker hike...Next week we intend to do an easier trek.