In Celebration: The Trailhead

No Dabs, 6/30/23

How often do we arrive to the trailhead and remember to give thanks that it exists in the first place? Almost never!

Think about it. Whether we pedal to it or arrive by vehicle, it’s there and it is there that we begin our ride, heading out into the great big yonder or down the trail for a few twists and turns in town after work. The trailhead is where the fun begins, or where we come off it after the crash and maybe even the blood-drawn and/or bone-break-moment-in-time happens.

noble canyon trailhead, pine valley, ca

Sometimes we arrive to the trailhead knowing very well what the ride is going to be like. Other times, it’s a new-to-us trailhead with trails that go off into the hinterlands that are completely unfamiliar to us. At the trailhead, there is excitement, or maybe some nervy trepidation. Perhaps we’re still with sleep in our bones and sipping coffee. Plans for post-ride food and drink could be sitting in the cooler in the vehicle that’s parked in the shade.

Trailheads on public lands often have amenities. How nice is it to see a pit latrine at the trailhead?! Picnic tables for ride prep, and then also as a uniting spot for all the embellished stories while sitting around after the outing, might be there for us to use. Some trailheads have water, a savior for when we forget to fill up.

Yep, the good ole trailhead needs a little celebrating. One of my favorites is the Noble Canyon trailhead in Pine Valley, CA. It’s quiet, so much so that you can hear the pines whispering in the breeze. The best part is looking at where the trail comes out, which basically means it’s not really much of a starting point, though I have gone up it, and thinking as I do every time I pedal away to go up the old county road: may I end up there safe and sound. I always take a look at that trailhead/end point and offer up a little prayer-of-sort that I come out there a few or several hours later.

How about unmarked trailheads? I love those. Michaux has several right next to mountain streams where there are little pullouts to park. Stream = natural beer chiller, post-ride wash up, and a refreshing way to ice your feet and legs.

Trailheads that can be accessed from the campground? Over the years, they’ve never disappointed. I mean, can a trailhead actually disappoint anyone? It’s what gives us access to go …

… and in going, sure, we might encounter disappointment, but thus far, hopefully it’s never been so disappointing that we stopped going to the trailhead. If that is the case and you’re reading this, find your nearest trailhead and go beyond it.