CASTLE ROCK STATE PARK 〈カリフォルニア初朝活ハイキング〉

Hiking urge came early on Sunday morning. My past week have been super lazy and I could feel that my belly was getting chubby. Always wanted to try hiking but never had the chance and time but my body was asking for fresh air and the smell of the mountains so bad, we decided to get up and head to Castle Rock State Park down in Los Gatos, CA.

("Los Gatos" means Cats right!? Such a cute name!

It wasn't much far from where we live (San Jose btw), it only took us 30 minutes ish to arrive at the parking area where the start point is. The online hikers reviewed this hiking course as "easy for hiking beginners" so that's why decided to challenge this place.

Bam! The entrance. Around 9 am the morning lights came through the trees and our adventurous spirit was on fire! hehe

(Looks like some kind of story is about to begin...)

On the brochure, they say it is called the "Castle Rock" because of these funny looking shape of giant rocks just appear suddenly out of no where. There were lot of climbers trying out their bouldering skills.

My personal favorite discovery was this! Finding the sap from tree. (Sap or do we call it tree honey?? I don't know:P) I just love the smell of the woods. I wonder if I can make a perfume by collecting and boiling down with water... Because if it's possible I would! lol

The walk to the mid-point was actually pretty tough for hiking beginners. It almost took us 4 hours to complete the course while I guess fast walker can finish in 3. But it was all worth it when we reached the top.

My feet is soaring and my back hurts but it was fun! lol

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早朝にハイキング欲が湧き出てきたので、ネットで初心者の女性でも気軽にいけるハイキングということで、ロスガトスのキャッスルロックステートパークに行ってきました！朝９時に家を出て１０時前くらいからハイキングスタート。夏だけど湿気もなく、まだ朝日の木漏れ日が森の中を指してくる感じでテンションめっちゃあがりました。

キャッスルロックって言われるほど突然ゴロゴロした大きな岩が現れます。不思議な穴もたくさんあいているので、ボルダリングを楽しむ人もかなり多い

。個人的な嬉しい発見は樹液♪本当に木の匂いが凝縮しているので、持って帰って煮詰めたら香水になるのであれば本当にやりたいです！笑

今回感じたのは、ハイキングってずっと歩いていると本当に無心になれる瞬間がくるってこと。あれがマラソンとかが好きな人の感覚なのかなぁ？？とにかく初心者向けコースとのことでしたが、結局早い人が３時間で終えれるコースに４時間はかかりました。中には岩を上る道もあり、「これが初心者向け！？」なんて道もたくさん。でも最後に周辺の山を全貌できるポイントについてお弁当を食べた後はそんなことも忘れちゃいました。

次の日は足が壊れたけど、（笑）本当に気持ちよくて楽しかった！今度はもっと早朝から歩き始めたい！

#enjoycalifornia #morninghike