A few last minute cancellations did not stop three hikers from a mid week adventure. We parked the vehicle just north of milepost 205, and at 5:45 AM our boots hit the ground and we were off. The goal was to summit peak 2811. To do that we first had to cross First Water Creek. On earlier occasions when Bill hiked the ridgeline from “S4” to “U3” he spotted what looked like a possible route down starting at “K0” (see D1 thru D3). It would be the shortest route and give more time to explore a route up on the east side.

The other options would be to hike the creek starting at Hackberry or start near milepost 207 and hike down a proven route (U1 to P9). Those options did not fit into our secondary goal of retuning to the vehicle before 11:00 AM.

The only option left was to try and follow the valley down. Valleys tend to get narrow. This one did. Valleys often have waterfalls. This one did. Anchoring a rope around a sturdy bush Bill descended a cascading waterfall. As he reached the end of his rope he sighted a steeper drop. Turnaround time.

No peak 2811 today. We hiked back up taking a different route. Grey skies provided relief from the hot sun but seemed to bring out the vampire gnats. We hiked the ridge to “U3” at a leisurely pace enjoying the views. Eileen enjoyed the pedestal seat and the boys their man caves. She found an egg and gave it to Bill, who placed it under his hat.

We reached the road at “X1”. Normally boring, the walk back to the vehicles was anything but. Eileen found a dime. She also saw a sleeping bag fall off the back of a passing motorcyclist. She flagged him down and saved his day. Road Warrior!

Getting back to the vehicle by 10:15 left time for late morning visit to a coffee shop before going or separate ways.