Superior Hiking Trail: Fantasia Overlook, September 29, 2012

When you last saw our Hiking Heroes, we were at the CR 106 trailhead.  We had just hiked a mile out in the wrong direction, and come lumbering back.  The trail between 106 and the crossroads by the Baptism River High Falls was tough, and we'd kind of wished that we hadn't taken the wrong path.  We were determined to see Fantasia Overlook, so we found the RIGHT trail and embarked on Hiking Part II for the day.

Notice how THIS sign actually says Fantasia Overlook, unlike the other sign that said nothing of it.
Thunderdog feels embarrassed by her foolish owner. 

Once we got on the proper trail, everything came back to me.  Ah yes.  The boardwalk that goes through the aspen forest.  The area that had burned in 1990.  The deceptively flat first third of the hike, the surprisingly steep second third, and the holy-crow-my-legs-are-jelly third part. The narrow path that hugs the side of a steep hill...with incredible views.

Joe and Thunderdog on the hillside trail.  I think these two are ready for Colorado.

Finally, finally, finally we made it to the Fantasia Overlook.  I'm going to shut up now and let Joe's pictures do the rest of the talking.  It was tiring and a little frustrating, but both of us humans felt that it was worth the extra couple of miles we'd hiked.  Of course, Thunderdog was fine with it.  Big Walks = Big Fun.

and one picture by me: Joe and Thunderdog, great hiking buddies.

Enjoying the view

Total miles hiked today: (this section) 2.8
Total miles hiked (in 2012): 141.1

Total ticks today: Joe - 0; Thunderdog - 0; Elly - 0
Total ticks (in 2012): 49