Spain Hiking - Day 7 - Sept 30 - La Pedriza

We drove down the a1 in the direction of Madrid and took the exit to Macanares. La Pedriza has a number of mtn bike trails, hiking trails and some serious rock climbing routes. We pull into the parking lot which is full of school children complete with 2 bars and restaurant. What else would you expect in Spain! We will take the main trail past the Refugio (hut) and we plan to have lunch in the pass called La Silla ( the seat/saddle). As we make our way up the dusty goat path you can see a number of climbers on the rock spires in the distance. They are about 200-300 ft above the valley floor. The sun is intense and the rock reflect the Spanish sun and heat. We have lunch in the Silla. The views to the east are maraviosa! There is evidence that people have camped in this spot. Jack decides to return back to parking lot but the remaining head up. Our plans are to head up to a spot called the Ventana, the window then get off the main trail and head down a side trail. As we head up we realize it will take us longer than expected. We spend much time and energy scrambling up and through the pinnacles of rock. The air is dry with an intense smell mtn pine. After crawling under a few boulder we come apon a mtn goat and kid, a welcome surprise; how did they ever get up here. After navigating through the labyrinth of rocks we find what we think is the Ventana. But the side trail is not mark and there are no signs of cairns. Any we begin to follow the goat droppings, they probably have done this many times before so let's hope they don't lead to cliff. We determine our whereabouts by a specific feature in the distance rock face called El cocodrillo, the crocodile. There appears to be 2 ways down. So we do what 5 university grads would be reasonable a flip a coin.
The downing down is step and rocky. We eventually come upon a rock climber who directs us the a trail down. We reach the valley floor tiered and thirsty and head back to find Jack waiting anxiously. We are 2 1/2 hrs later than expected. We're pretty good with estimating but this time we were way off. But we still celebrate at the bar with beers and potato chips. This place was beyond expectations and I plan to return one day with the family.
We head out and make lamb chops at home getting ready for our last site-seeing day in Madrid.