On Friday, May 1st 2026 we hiked from the Old Stagecoach trailhead at the base of Cuesta Grade to the Serenity Swing hanging on a lone oak overlooking Poly Canyon.  The hike stands out for several reasons.  First, it was conceived on our hike last month to the Poly Architectural Graveyard.  We saw the lone oak and resolved "There it is. Let's go there!"  Two successive scouting missions by Bik, MacRae and Parkinson originated and refined the path.  We think that people who found reaching the Swing via the traditional Poly approach, will benefit substantially from this new Lewis & Clark Expedition.

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By utilizing the RR tracks, we both shortened AND leveled the route.  On the way, we stopped and talked to a RR employee riding the rails in a raised F350 Pickup.  The total length was 5.0 miles on the button and took 3 hours 41 minutes. The total of UP waypoints was 1397 feet.  Max elevation 1120 feet. Elevation change 493  feet.  

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We took turns on the swing, and marveled at the steep hillside that less informed hikers must had to brave before the Parkinson Pass was discovered and opened up.  A foggy morning turned into a clear blue sky in the low seventies.  Life is good.