Union Hills North or Dixie Summit

12/09/2017

I was able to make eight contacts this morning on the summit of Union Hills North also known as Dixie Summit. It was a bit chilly at 45 degrees as I arrived at the park at 7:45am but it soon warmed as I made my way along the trail. Very few hikers were on the trail at first as I made my way toward the summit enjoying the brisk December air. I had packed an extra jacket in my pack for just this situation but about half way up had to take it off. Along with my regular jacket, my pack soon became very full of extras that I questioned if I should have brought along.

The hike was a mile and a half each way and rose almost 700 feet with the steepest part being on the Dixie Summit Trail. Not a bad hike and a very enjoyable with a giant Hawks next fenced off protecting it as I made my way along Hawks Nest Trail. I got to the summit and began setting up my camp just as other hikers could be seen on the trails below. I had arrived at the summit a little later than I had wanted to but was able to start making my calls to the other waiting hams logging 8 into my log book.

Was greeted with the sight of hot air balloons as I got out of my car getting ready to start the hike. When I got to the summit, there were several more overhead floating silently above my head. While on the summit, a young family joined me asking if I had camped the night on the top of the mountain. I explained what I was doing but the kids were more interested in my hiking sticks than my radio gear. All in all, I had a great time.