Mount Humbug (Port Orford)
I imagine the trail was just as its named described an old section of Highway 101 long since abandoned for a more economical route. The road had been overgorwn by plants by at least 2 feet on each side. Most of the remaining middle section was covered with dead fir needles as ttrees were now hanging over the road and provided a ceiling of around eight feet for much of the trail. The trees provided so much cover I was forced to remove my sunglasses to ensure I could see the path.
A few parts of the road were totally washed out and replaced by gravel. There was a short wooden bridge across a small creek that was obviously not part of the original road. I felt nostalgic over the road for some reason. I kept wondering how many cars and trucks had passed by on it over the years and how many years ago it was replaced. I was hoping to see an old aboandoned cafe or other roadside business, but none appeared.
The climb was uphill all the way with a steady roughly 6% grade to the top 2.6 miles from the trail head. It was fun climb. At the top there was a solitary picnic table on a cliff overlooking the campground and its beach. I took several good pictures, evaluated the steepness of the other side of the hill, and pressed on with my ride. The ride was a mirror image of the other side of the hill except it had much less cover. It ended abruptly about 50 feet south and 20 feet above the new Highway 101. On the way back I took an extended stay at the picnic table enjoying the view and relaxing sound of the ocean waves.
Back at camp, I decided I had not had enough exercise so I started the 6 mile long 1745 feet in altitude hike up Mount Humbug around 2 pm (by comparison I believe Picacho Peak is 4.2 miles round trip and around 1500 feet in altitude). The first 1/2 mile was very strenuous on my calf muscles. The trail was well marked and maintained. A signed informed me at 1/2 mile that I had climbed 443 feet, almost 1/4 of the altitude in 1/6 the distance. From there on each 1/2 mile raised the altitude by about 200 feet. The trail broke off into a loop about 1 mile up. It was nice not to have to go back exactly the same way I went up.
With 1/2 mile to go I caught up to a couple ahead of me admiring some flowers who then took off to ensure they had rights to the only bench at the view site at the top. The view was nice, but unspectacular. It seems some fir trees had a recent growth spurt and I was left staring at a wall of branches rather than the ocean. The hike was good and I felt relaxed and refreshed when I returned to camp.
A young couple was playing croquet in the grassy area in front of my site. As I arrived they moved their vehicle which was three sites away from mine, one site closer. I don't understand why people like to be close to me. They must sense I want to be left alone and won't allow it. I would have more trouble with this situation at my next campsite.
I headed for the beach which was a short walk away. It was warm and sunny, especially compared to the camp. I had forgotten my journal and could not remember where I had left it. Not wanting another camera incident I went back to camp and found it on my picnic table.
By this time it was 5pm and the host was selling firewood. I got twice as much wood for $4 as I had seen at any other site. I inquired about the host position. He said they only let you stay for one month in the summer and he saw no reason why I couldn't use a tent even though a full-hookup would be provided. The duties were minimal. It was tempting to apply for a position because I am convinced I need a place of solitude to relax and think a while and it would seem I could stand living in a tent for a month. But after waking up with cold feet the next morning and considering how I seem to get upset at the kind of people I see camping, I decided I am against that idea for now.
It was so nice on the beach I grabbed my PKD Volume 5, a bottle of water and a towel and headed for the sandy shores. It was high tide and there was more kelp on the beach than I cared for, but I had the place all to myself. I read PKD and relaxed to the sound of the waves until 8pm then headed back to camp.
The camp was a little bit fuller, but I still had a good buffer around my space. The family in the spot next to mine had left some food on their table and it was being attacked by a flock of blue jays. There was a resident bunny gnawing on the grass in my site. I had finished PKD Volume 5 and started on a new coillection called "The Monority Report" around the campfire. "The Minority Report" is a short story which now should be a movie in theatres starring Tom Cruise.
It was an uneventful night. I had really felt relaxed and considered staying another night, but rather than ruin a good thing I decided to go out on top and move on the next morning.