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Category: Hike Reports
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Twenty TrailBlazers including some newcomers headed for Pedestal Rocks under the command of Buffalo Bob on a slightly overcast day with coolish temperatures that made for great hiking conditions. The trailhead is about 7 miles east of the intersection of Pelsor and Highway 7.  Fortunately we had plenty of parking spaces available upon our arrival because this is a popular place to hike.

 First we did the Pedestal Rocks Loop and trekked up and down through the woods until we finally spotted our first pedestal, always a neat experience. Newcomers never realize what is in store for them.  After hiking a short distance on the ledge trail viewing the pedestals, we descended down to the canyon below.  Then the fun began when we started seeing the various caves with large openings.  At this point the newcomers realized that the ledge trail is actually on top of a series of large open caves with high vaulted ceilings with skylights in places!  We were given 30 minutes to look around, so we scampered around like a bunch of kids at recess, went in and out of the caves, and took lots of photos.  When our time was up, we scrambled back to the ledge trail to eat a leisurely lunch with a neat view!

 At one point we spotted a man-made rock cairn, a stack of carefully stacked rocks on the ledge trail.  This one appeared to have been built from rocks from a fire ring, also man-made.  (If fires are legal on a trail, the fire rings are supposed to be disassembled after use).  Kenya demolished the cairn because it is not “natural” and tends to encourage others to get carried away building them all over the place.

 After completing the Pedestal Trail we started the second loop to Kings Bluff Falls.  There are also several neat pedestals of various sizes and shapes on this trail.  We had speculated that there would be very little water flow in the falls due to the dry conditions, but we were pleased to see at least a small flow of water dropping down 100 ft. to the valley below.  After looking around and doing another group photo, we hoofed back up a .9 mile trail that went straight up.

 Afterwards, a handful of us stopped at Haw Creek Campground to check out the falls.  There were lots of tents and campers but the falls had the least amount of water we had ever seen.  These falls are truly magnificent when there is a good flow.  In any case the area is beautiful even in dry conditions.

 If you plan to hike at Mt. Magazine next week, please sign up on this site.

 Don’t forget to turn back your clocks tonight and get some extra beauty sleep!

  Pictures are below.  Click on any pic to make larger and then start a slide show by clicking on the arrow at right.

{gallery}2016-11-05pedestalrocks{/gallery}