The Mishli Hiking Group Takes to the Israel Trail Again

The Mishli Hiking Group Takes to the Israel Trail Again

8 June 2009
Segment 22: Latrun to Shaar Hagai * For our second hike on the Israel Trail we were a group of 18. We were missing 7 from the first hike, several of whom were unfortunately suffering from back ailments. The 6 newcomers had expressed interest from the start, but for various reasons had not been on the first hike. (My apologies to the group: we forgot to take a group photo this time. We must remember to do on every hike.) 6:45: Meet-up at gas station near Messilat Zion, regrouping into 4 cars, and shuttle back to Latrun. 7:15: The GPS (”the Garmin”) starts recording. We leave the parking lot next to the restaurant and head north to reconnect with the trail where we left the trail last time. We walk around the east side of the Armored Corps Museum…

Get Set for our Second Hike on the Israel National Trail

17 May 2009
In light of feedback and requests following our first hike, this is the plan for our second hike. (1) The date remains as originally planned: Shabbat, June 6. Sorry, cannot be changed! Please confirm your participation by May 30. (2) In addition to the 19 people who hiked the first segment, another 12 people are also on the list. If I do not receive 20 confirmations by May 30, I will let you know spaces are available for newcomers. (3) We will slow down the pace a bit to keep the group together. Specifically, we will stop more often -- as a group -- to snack, sing, chat, view the vistas, learn about the sites, and to simply enjoy moments of pleasure and comradarie on the Israel Trail. (4) Varda Ingels has volunteered to share her knowledge about this…
The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

2 May 2009
Segment 21: Mitzpeh Modiin to Latrun *  My emails, phone calls and conversations over the past few weeks produced a group of 17 people ready to roll on the Israel Trail this morning. Here, then, is my account of our first hike: 6:45: Quick introductions in the restaurant parking lot at Latrun, regrouping into 3 cars, and shuttle to Mizpeh Modiin in Ben Shemen Forest. 7:29: The GPS ("the Garmin") starts recording. 7:33: We misread a trailblaze and turn off the main road onto a footpath in the forest. It's not a serious mistake, and actually takes us on a more pleasant route through the woods for 5 minutes. 8:08 (2.4 km): After climbing and descending several hills, we emerge from the Ben Shemen Forest. We head through the olive groves. 8:15 (3 km): We are moving at a…