Yom Hashoah on the Israel Trail

Yom Hashoah on the Israel Trail

2 May 2022
An Israel Trail hike on Yom HaShoah might not be a typical way to observe this solemn day. But it is not inappropriate. Were we not hiking, many of us would have been working in an office, or at home like me, stopping only for a moment of silence and not otherwise engaged. Today I spent time with a group of people who love this land as much as I do, wending our way through a ravine filled with stunning cliffs and fragrant wildflowers, and admiring the construction achievements of the state of Israel.
The Mystical and Virgin Meron

The Mystical and Virgin Meron

21 February 2022
I was especially excited about this hiking segment on the Israel Trail since I had never before explored Mount Meron. Neither hiking, nor jeeping, nor orienteering had ever brought me here. It was all going to be completely new to me. Tia declared it my “virgin ground.” Before we set off, our guide Avi gave us good advice on climbing, pacing, taking breaks (“don’t sit down!”), and eating (“don’t eat your sandwich!”), to help us reach the summit of the Meron.
Five Crossings

Five Crossings

5 February 2022
Just as I was leaving home to drive north with Tia the day before our Israel Trail hike, the group received a message of from our guide Avi. "Wonderful news! The lower Dishon Stream has begun flowing. Expect to cross ankle-high water. Make sure you have dry shoes and socks ready to change into at the end of the hike."
Snow Time on the Israel Trail

Snow Time on the Israel Trail

24 January 2022
Heavy rain postponed our monthly Israel Trail hike from December to January. Heavy rain the day before our January hike changed the plan again. For safety reasons, we would skip the Lower Nahal Dishon segment, and do the Upper Nahal Dishon segment. As luck would have it, overnight the temperatures dropped to freezing. The rain turned to snow, and we began our hike in Nachal Tzivon with snow on the ground. Tia and I had spent the previous night in a guest room on Kibbutz Tzivon, arriving just before the snow started falling. I didn’t think it would last long, and was surprised to find snow on my car in the morning. Fortunately, the sun was shining, and temperatures warmed just enough to melt the ice on the roads.
Autumn Day on the Israel Trail

Autumn Day on the Israel Trail

28 November 2021
The first heavy rainfall of the season finally arrived the weekend before the hike. The rains were followed by a few days of sun and cooler temperatures. Put that together with the geological wonders of the Naftali mountain range and the scenic vistas of the Hula Valley. The result was a perfect autumn day for hiking on the Israel Trail.
Back to the Back

Back to the Back

31 October 2021
Cousin Tia and I returned to the Israel Trail last week for our second hike with Avi and Al Hashvil. To reduce the climbs and increase the descents, the direction of the hike, from Tel Hai to Yiftah, was inverted. To simplify logistics, the group gathered at Tel Hai and a bus took us to the starting point near Yiftah in the Hills of Naftali. I said I would be happy to serve as the group's rearguard once again. Escort Omri set a channel on the walkie-talkie and handed it to me. I sensed some amusement, or perhaps urgency, in his giving me the device before I could change my mind.
The View from the Rear

The View from the Rear

2 October 2021
It's been nearly a decade since I last hiked the Israel National Trail regularly. As the years passed, it seemed I'd never return to hiking the trail. But then my cousin suggested we join an organized group. It meant paying someone to handle the logistics, and making a commitment to do ten hikes a year. Although I still work, I decided I could and should treat myself to a day off once a month to hike the trail. So now that we completed the first hike, how did it go?
Long Time, No See

Long Time, No See

12 March 2018
Segment 25 – Mitzpeh Mesuah to Beit Guvrin *   I decided to take advantage of a free-of-orienteering Saturday, mild late-winter weather, and a trail segment close to home. I gathered Yuval and a few dear friends from the neighborhood, and quickly organized an easy hike on the Israel Trail, after a very l-o-o-o-n-g time away. We started at the Masuah look-out. Cindy is always happy to hike with me and likes to remind me that I don't take her out often enough. The wildflowers are in abundance at this time of year. Walking and talking. No need for much navigation. Awesome vistas. We were just seven. More vistas. The guys got lazy, and persuaded us gals to shortcut our way back to the cars. So instead of crossing over the road and following the trail (along the hills behind…
When Old Friends Go Walking and Talking

When Old Friends Go Walking and Talking

3 December 2013
Segment 24 – Horvat Hanot to Azeka Junction *   The feedback after our last hike on the Israel Trail a month ago encouraged me to organize another outing as soon as possible. The selected date, during the Hanukkah holiday, was problematic for some and convenient for others. I decided to go with the earlier date, and save the following one as a rain date. Turned out there was no need to postpone; the weather was ideal for hiking. But since we've not yet had any significant rainfall this year, the trail was dry, and I spent much of the day searching for some color to photograph. Our hiking group consisted of long-time friends, whose friendships go as far back as school days and army service (aside from Miri and Shlomo being siblings). A chatty bunch. Delightful company. Before starting the…
Good to Be Back on the Israel Trail

Good to Be Back on the Israel Trail

1 November 2013
Segment 24 – Even Sapir to Horvat Hanot *   On just a week's notice, I gathered a small group of hiking friends, and took to the Israel Trail once again. We picked up the trail near Moshav Even Sapir, just outside Jerusalem, where we had finished a previous hike some two years ago. The autumn day was crisp and comfortable for hiking, and provided clear vistas as we traversed the hills and valleys. The first segment of our hike was along the Springs Trail in the Aminadav forest. We passed many springs and pools, some dry and others filled with water. Definitely a place to return to on a hot summer day for a refreshing dip. A view of Hadassah Hospital (Ein Kerem) from the trail. Playing peek-a-boo in the rock formations. Upon reaching Horvat Saadim, a small nature reserve noted for…