Tag Archives: Backpacking

Mono Narrows, The Old Oak Dies

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Jack Elliott

The upper Santa Ynez River valley. Upper Santa Ynez River Looking up lower Mono Creek near the Santa Ynez River confluence. “During the month of November the trail in Little Caliente and Mono canyons was greatly improved.” Los Angeles Herald … Continue reading →

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Black Bear

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Jack Elliott

I was lounging around camp in midafternoon boiling the billy. Had me a relaxation station set up in the shade of a tree, an air mattress propped up against a boulder as a makeshift recliner, and a long view down … Continue reading →

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Sespe Hot Springs From Piedra Blanca

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Jack Elliott

Fossilized oak leaf found along the Sespe Trail. Note the veins and serrated edges. A Late, Hot Start I didn’t start walking from Piedra Blanca Trailhead until a few ticks before ten in the morning, at least four hours later … Continue reading →

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Western Fence Lizard (blue-belly)

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Jack Elliott

A blue-belly lizard on a fallen log atop Pine Mountain in the Sespe Wilderness. Blue-belly lizards always interested me as a boy. Sort of like a cat attracted to movement, they naturally captured my attention when they scurried around on … Continue reading →

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SPAM, Backcountry Delicacy Par Excellence

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Jack Elliott

“. . . the mouthwatering taste of SPAM® Classic seasoned with black pepper. It’s a delicious dream come true.” In a previous entry I dubbed the Santa Barbara County original, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, “a nutritionist’s nightmare, a glutton’s godsend.” Well, … Continue reading →

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