Section 16

I found a new hiking trail! Well technically I knew it existed, I just didn't know where. It's off of Gold Camp Road and it's called Section 16. I had some clients today who were eloping, and this was the place they chose. Unfortunately the trail was almost 100% covered in hard packed snow, extremely slippery, and in places it was basically just a sheet of ice. So it was very treacherous going when you're carrying a big camera bag, as my assistant Joy and I were doing. My clients were dressed casually in jeans and a sweater (her) and a flannel (him), with normal footwear -- that is to say, not hiking shoes. And yet somehow they managed to cruise up the trail for over a mile without too much trouble, arm in arm. Meanwhile, Joy and I were wearing knobby hiking shoes (me) and running shoes with good tread (her), and we were slipping and sliding all over! What a struggle! I think it was because our heavy bags were throwing off our centers of balance drastically. After the brief, casual ceremony, on the way back downhill I did end up slipping and falling twice and twisting my knee, so I'm writing this post from a "feel sorry for me" perspective  😉 Joy unfortunately fell down, too. What a trooper she is! It was so slippery! But I'm not complaining, because I love doing elopements, and because now Pat and I have a new trail to hike (in the summer, please!). I grabbed this shot about halfway back down the trail to our cars. I got a few more pictures too, which I'll show you on Monday and Tuesday.

[2/17/2019 edit: Pat pointed out over breakfast that it's called Section 16, not Section 12. D'oh! Correction made, thanks Pat!]