Arriving at Owens Mountain

After this group picture, it would be uphill to the bluffs.

There were still trees down from the 2008 ice storm; made it even harder.

Under the bluffs at Owens

Enough said!

Searching for pictographs

Hiking under the bluffs

You have to look hard, but they are there.

.....and a bunch of these!  Anyone have a key?

Mr. Sherman Nichols

was here!

A lot of rock climbers have been here

Heidi adds to the "vortex"

A nice fireplace

A nice pictograph.......?????

.....and nice boots....right Dee?

Heading up

Heidi tries to grab the grapevine to climb up....

....she finally gives up....and we are glad.

Up

....and to the road.  You mean we could have driven up here? Yes...but why

This is the entrance to the bear crack

would we want to, we are "hikers".

Us on top of Owens Mountain

The bear crack down or up, whichever!

Looking back at where we have been

Eventually we have to head back down...from the top of the bluffs.

Christi is having too much fun!

Looks easy, huh?

Dee is having way too much fun too!

Someone had too much time on their hands

Some of the bluffs along the way back out

Down is a lot easier.

Down and ready to go to Ricketts Mt.

We are now at Ricketts Mt.

We hike up another bear crack.....

.....why? So we can eat lunch.

Dee enjoying the sunshine and a little "nap".

Us on Ricketts Mt.

Gary....where's your new "outfit" you wore last week?

Back down to leave our backpacks and hike around the bottom of the bluffs.

Some neat bluffs along our path

A hornet's nest...... please leave alone.

Definitely a bears den.....tracks to prove it!  But no bear today.

This is way we got up.....finally!

We made it to Ricketts Cemetery Road

I was requested by 24-hikers to change this hike rated easy  to "moderate to difficult"

OK.... so you win!