A Rainy Day Adventure
When we follow our own advice and step out in the rain
Do you remember three weeks ago when we talked about the art of walking in the rain? “Wear the right gear, embrace the moment, and go for it!” we said. Well, earlier this week we looked out at the third drizzly day in a row and thought, “Time to follow our own advice and get out there to enjoy the day! What’s holding us back?” Admittedly, it wasn’t pouring buckets and streams, but there was definitely some rather chilly precipitation coming down from the low-slung skies overhead. We shrugged on rain slickers, snuggled earmuffs up under our hoods, wriggled our fingers into warm gloves, and laced up some sturdy boots. We were off for an adventure!
Delicate funghi to be found along the trails during rainy season…
We strategically parked near Patterson’s Pub (we knew we were going to be hungry after this hike!), then started our walk heading up Lansing Street and turning the corner of Little Lake Road to head east across Highway 1. Right after stepping out of the crosswalk at the stoplight there, there’s a long and steady eastward incline, and it quickly got our heart rate going. It wasn’t long before the low huff of our deepened breathing was plain advertisement to the rising warmth inside our jackets and layers. We chatted about life as we peaked out from under our hoods at the homes built into the hillside along the way – there’s something so interesting about walking a neighborhood, looking at other people’s homes, and dreaming how the lives of the owners or tenants might be… or maybe that’s just us…? Social curiosity indulged, we reached the street we had been waiting for – Wheeler Street – and turned down it to the right / south. Almost right away, the sleepy little road seemed to turn into a muddy trail that disappeared into the woods rising up behind the quiet homes scattered around us.
While we hadn’t fully explored this trail before, another local had shown it to us, and we had heard from others that it connected down into the trail along Big River. So while we weren’t exactly sure where we were going or how long the trail would be, we had decided to go exploring and try to make a big circle going down the river and back into town. We meandered along the narrow trail, ducking under low-hanging branches, stepping around crowded mini-groves of redwood trees, and gazing over the edge of little cliff-like slopes that dropped in a cascade of lush ferns away from our feet. It was quiet out there as we gingerly picked our way down steeper sections of the muddy trail. All we could hear was the gentle patter of the rain on our hoods, the damp swish of long grasses against our pant legs, the occasional gurgling song of little waterfalls and streams finding their way down to the river, happy bursts from hidden birds, and the crunch of our own boots finding their grip in the path. We paused to crouch down and admire exquisite little funghi on old logs, those nursery maids of the forest. We explored hints of side trails that led to tucked-away lookout points or even seemingly nowhere in particular. We breathed in the rich scent of a rainy day in the woods as we laughed at a near slip in the mud. We didn’t really know where the trail was taking us, but it didn’t matter out here away from everything else - the world was peaceful; life was good.
A peaceful view between rain drops
At last, we sensed the trail was turning a bit farther to the south, and just around the next tree we saw the main section of the Big River trail running along below us. We made the final descent and saw the mile marker on the main trail telling us that we were about 1.36 miles up from the parking lot. It was incredible how different the scenery was just after that last short little slope down to the level of the river – it felt like a whole ‘nother world, this one much more open, more lived-in, more used to having feet tromp across its face and invade its peaceful serenity. Sleepy tears dripped down from the blearily grey clouds, made the birch leaves dance, and dimpled the surface of the river all over. A trio of waterfowl paddled across the surface of the water, the widening arrows of their wake showing us where they were going as remnants of their call fluttered back to us on the breeze. The trail unfurled along the beach of the river, and we breathed in the greater expanse of the sky as we squelched through ripples of sand exposed by the extra-low tide.
The rain was lifting was we rounded this picturesque corner of the Headlands
Pausing for a moment to admire the roll of the waves, we continued up the stairs at the western end of the beach, which lead up to the Presbyterian Church. Rather than head back into town right away though, we stuck with the familiar old path that winds around the Mendocino Headlands, keen on catching sunset off the end of the cliffs. Ah, how lovely it was, as the rain lifted and the clouds started to part. The wind was extra crisp out on the edge of the bluffs, but we didn’t care as we threw back our hoods and stared out to where the sun and clouds were painting the loveliest of pictures along the line of the horizon. Our tummies making themselves heard, we tucked our heads into the breeze and started up the western end of Little Lake Road back towards Patterson’s and our self-promised dinner. All along the way back into the village though, we stopped again and again to turn around and gaze out at the ever-evolving artwork of clouds, sky, sun, and waves. We were so glad we got out for our hike today, rain or no.
A divine light broke out before us as sunset approached…
While we didn’t have a precise GPS tracker going on this hike, we think the full circle was somewhere in the 8-9 mile range. Also, the section of the trail behind Wheeler Street would not be best for anyone with mobility concerns – someone with little concerns in that area might still find it helpful to take a sturdy walking stick for some of the short steep sections, especially if it’s raining and the ground gets slick. That being said, this is a great walk for someone who has done all the regular hikes in the area and is feeling up for a little bit more of an adventure. I like that it includes the village, the woods, the river, the beach, and the headlands – a little bit of everything! If you’re feeling a little less adventurous, you can still get out along pretty much all the separate sections of the circle – walk through town, along the headlands, on Big River Beach, up Big River Trail, and maybe even drive out to Wheeler Street and explore a little bit of that beautifully quiet area. Whatever you do, explore!
Words and pictures by Laura Hockett