Hitting the Trifecta

Hitting the Trifecta
            Every so often I hit a round number in my Hike Notes posts, and do a special feature with an extra large photo gallery. This time I decided to celebrate with Hike Notes #230 as it coincides with reaching eight years of creating HikingAutism.com.
            I started HikingAutism.com in March 2018 for a number of reasons. One reason was to share knowledge about inspiring nature locations and insights I accumulated over the years. 
            A second reason was to process grief over the loss of our magical “autism whisperer” who helped my profoundly autistic son Sean and our family pull ourselves from the edge of despair by getting out on nature trails.
            A third reason was to help others work past the isolation that accompanies navigating life with exceptional challenges.
            That is my holy trinity for starting HikingAutism. I still feel motivated and uplifted each week when I click to post new content.
            As for the other lucky three number, the trifecta, that’s what it felt like on my most recent hike on the Steep Ravine Trail on Mt. Tam in Marin. The photo montage for this week’s Insights image features photos from Steep Ravine Trail. 
            On previous hikes doing the Dipsea-Steep Ravine loop from Pantoll, there was not enough light to reach through the dense forest to get good photos on the Steep Ravine section. There was also never a fully running waterfall by the ladder next to the falls that is a highlight of this hike. On top of that, weekends get very crowded on that trail, and I rarely have a chance to get away from home and office on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
            This holiday season I hit the Steep Ravine trifecta for a good photo shoot. My older son was home from London and he and I headed out on one of the only non-rainy weekdays left during his visit. Not only was it sunny enough for sufficient light to trickle down into the forest to get photos, but the waterfall was running at full force. Our weekday excursion meant the trail was not crowded. 
            This was the trio of factors I needed to get a decent set of photos for the Steep Ravine Trail. I was so happy to have good light, great waterfalls, and no crowds on the trails, and to be walking with a favorite companion. Steep Ravine Trail from Pantoll seemed like a great Hike Notes to celebrate a HikingAutism.com milestone with.
            Thanks to all the readers over the years. I’ll continue sharing free hike and insights information going forward. The HikingAutism site has led to a publishing deal for Autism Outdoors: A Guide to Spending Time in Nature, and I’ll share more as the book is closer to hitting the bookshelves.
            Thanks again to readers for walking along the trail together, and keep putting one foot forward!
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
            If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
New this week:
Hike Notes 230: Steep Ravine Trail from Pantoll