Revisiting Pine Street Woods

This past June, on our anniversary, my husband and I explored a little of the Pine Street Woods hiking area just outside of Sandpoint, Idaho. Today I decided to take another look at it, and try out one of the trails through the woods. Since I am taking a break from my crazy life, I was by myself this time and could therefore hike places where my less-agile husband could not have gone.

The sign at the entrance shows some fall colors this time.

I took my time studying the posted map. For some reason, it took me a long time to find the "you are here" arrow. It had to do with there being three parking areas, and I wasn't sure at first which one on the map I had used.

I only wanted to take a short hike, maybe a mile or so, and my touchy knees thought a beginner level trail sounded great. I settled on the Crooked Tree trail. Here is a zoomed-in view of that area on the map.

As you can see, the trails have names, like mushroom, owl, crooked tree, pinecone, etc. And there were signs along the way, but not at every intersection, and not always clear. The next photo shows a sign right next to the trailhead parking. So which trail really was Crooked Tree? The post makes it look as if the trail on the right was the one I wanted, yet the signs below it and on the tree straight ahead were contradictory.

A woman was just returning from a walk with her dog, so I asked her about it. She said she, too, found the signs confusing, and often ended up on a different trail than she had intended to use. But she also said it's hard to get lost. I chose the trail on the right, which remained close to the one on the left for a very short distance, and then another sign let me know I had chosen wrongly. Looking at the trail map, it makes sense now. But I didn't have a paper copy of the map with me, and my memory is apparently quite short when it comes to maps and trails. I stepped over some underbrush and got on the correct trail.

Before long, I came across this sign, and opted to head to the left.

That lead me to a wide path under the power lines. I love the bright yellow of the Western larch trees this time of year. It is a deciduous conifer, meaning the needles turn yellow and fall off in the autumn. Most conifers remain green year 'round and their needles don't fall off.

Below: See how they brighten up the otherwise dark green forest?

Despite having been extremely busy all summer and fall, I rarely went for a walk and never rode my bicycle at all. Consequently, I have gotten rather out of shape. I was about halfway through the loop trail and feeling a bit winded when I caught a welcome glimpse of a bench up ahead, and what must surely be the scenic viewpoint shown on the map.

The view was worth the effort!

After taking advantage of that well-placed bench, I headed down the other side of the small loop that lead to the viewpoint. This convenience was a short way down the trail. I didn't need it, but it was nice to know it was there.

I only encountered two other hikers during the scant hour I was on the trail. I saw at least three mountain bikers through the trees, and sometimes heard voices from distant paths, but mostly it was a very quiet, solitary stroll.

Eventually I came upon the same post I had seen early in the hike, and I approached it from the right this time, which means I succeeded in making the loop I had intended to make. Yay!

As I drove back to my rental place, I stopped to take a picture of this lovely little spot. I don't know the name of the body of water, or even if it has one, but it sure is pretty.

And that was today's adventure! I also napped, finished my book, and watched some Netflix. Soon it will be bedtime. Tomorrow is another day, and hopefully I will have more fun tales to share.

All photos taken on my Android phone.