XTerra/Hidden Beach

Although daily rain continues throughout the week, we decide to try the XTerra trail for our Sunday hike anyway. The big XTerra Race scheduled for March 28 brings workers to clear the overgrown trail, and with the help of a recent big boonie fire, we figure the trail should be primed for a good hike, even though it could be a bit wet and slippery.
The sun shines brightly on an almost cloudless sky, we meet at the driveway with those who are not traveling and those who are healthy enough. Chops, CB, Scout, Aaron, and dog Boy join CC to make our way down the trail.

Evidence of the recent fire, opening up a more panoramic view of the hills and the ocean.

The famous trap that has thrown many a bikers down this sharp drop that appears immediately after an uphill haul. Here CB carefully steps down on the side. Fortunately, the recent rain has not affected the condition of the red clay which would have been a slippery mess.

Hiding behind some bushes on several occasions to surprise us, Aaron earns a new hiking name. CC bestows the name NEMO upon him, as the precocious and in-constant-trouble clown fish in "Finding Nemo".  

The "bojobo" bean pods are in full maturity and they are all over the ground. Chops is in seventh heaven collecting an armful of the pods. 

We are dismayed to see these trash scattered along the trail. Hopefully it is not from the workers, and hopefully it will be cleaned up soon...

This old foundation serves as the headquarter for extracting the beans from the pods. Here CB, Scout, Nemo, and Chops get seriously into cracking the pods. Boy takes the opportunity to sniff around. 

A neat pile of loot.

Not satisfied with just the beans, Nemo is determined to investigate what is inside a bean. He uses a rock to crack open the bean. The white stuff inside is not edible.

A surprise encounter with a pomelo tree in the boonies. Previously hidden behind the thick bushes and trees, the recent storm reveals the tree laden with fruit. Unfortunately the ones on the ground are rotten, and the ones on the tree are way, way up high and unreachable.

Hidden Beach in more open view. Notice a red hat is hanging on the tree branch. Is it a secret sign, or just someone who forgets to take it?

Imagine our shock, when we see that the beach is completely covered with sand, spreading and extending up and beyond the original beach, as a result of Bavi, the storm. Get a close look at the next photo taken on December 13, 2014, after another storm. Marvel at nature's power in changing the landscape beyond our control.

(On December 13, 2014, during our hike down to Hidden Beach, we find the beach has been turned into a large pool, with rocks and boulders strewn everywhere, the result of a recent storm. Compare this beach condition with the current condition in the photo above)

 Not only has the sand cover the December pool and the boulders and rocks, the sand has been pushed far into the boonies, creating a nice and shady playground area.

A nice little snack rest at our favorite spot, in the shade. CC, Boy, Nemo, Scout, CB, and Chops finished all the snacks, and ready for the uphill trip back.

 

A little rest before tackling the last little hill.

Chops tries to climb up the slope, while Nemo demonstrates his skill of crawling up without using his hands! CB is directing the traffic.

It is a good hike, as the trail is surprisingly dry and easy to navigate. We take our time to enjoy the new scenes and discoveries. Three hours pass by quickly and pleasantly.