XTerra Overgrown

We hear that the Xterra trail is much overgrown during the rainy season and is near impassable. Having avoided going down the trail during the past months, we decide to be adventurous and brave the jungly trail on Sunday. With Christmas nearing, we also plan to have a little rest and relaxation with coffee and snacks at the end of the hike. At 6:20 eight hikers and Boy meet at the driveway dressed with protective clothing and gloves, and begin to find out just how overgrown the trail has become. 

The first portion of the trail is passable but is definitely covered with foot-high bushes.

After dodging the ubiquitous sword grass and the most un-welcomed thorny mimosa, we come upon this deep whirlpool size hole on the trail. Chops, Giggles, CB, Scout, and others take a moment to examine the hole before carefully stepping around and pushing through the grass to continue.

An interesting bush and flowers. Chops and CB will find out its name.

Chops gets caught in a tangle of vines, thorns, grass, and fallen branches.

Giggles pushes her way past the sword grass.

Aaron, CB, push the grass aside for Spicegirl to go through.

Temporarily emerged onto a clearing, we stop to admire the valley below with beautiful  African Tulips and perfect and healthy palms.

Crouching in the bushes, CB and Aaron are stalking some unsuspecting hikers.

Mushrooms marching up this tree trunk.

A brief break from the scratchy bushes and hazardous trail with Giggles, Ewok, and Chops.

Right in the middle of the lower trail, a large and twisting vine has somehow made its way from one side to the other across the trail. After hanging on or swinging on it a little, the group decides to have a photo taken before the vine will eventually be taken down. Giggles, Scout, Ewok, Spicegirl, CB, and Chops are getting a real kick out of it (maybe not Ewok!).

Hiking comes to a stand still when we find a few old "bojobo" seed pods on the ground and some hanging on the vine. Scout sees some pods and decides to climb up a nearby tree to retrieve the pods for Aaron. Meanwhile, Aaron is impressed and cries "My dad the hero!!" 

Proudly displaying the new and still green pods.

A surprise new pool greets us when we arrive at Hidden Beach. The normally sandy and smooth beach is now covered with this large pool with large number of rocks strewn everywhere. We have to step over boulders and rocks on a different path leading down to the water. Guess the recent "storms" and heavy rains have re-arranged the beach.

We make a quick stop for a little snacks, saving some of it for our coffee-hour later. Boy salivates as he watches Giggles getting mochi from the pack.

Thirsty Boy... now we hurry and make our way back up the tough trail to get back to Kosacks in time for coffee service.

Finally! Coffee Time. Rexplorer serves up espresso coffee for everyone, with Biscotti, Mochi, tangerines, and other pastries. It's our annual "Christmas" after-hike "brunch" treat. Giggles, Aaron, Scout, CB, Chops, CC, Ewok, and Giggles having a good time...

We are happy to have explored the XTerra trail to witness how tough the hike is. For us, "tough" is "fun"... The 3.8 mile hike takes us less than 3 hours.