Tag Archives: Backpacking

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 →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Blue Belly Lizard, Camping, Hiking, Lizards, Nature, Photography, Photos, Pics, Science, Western Fence Lizard | 6 Comments

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 →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Cooking, Food, Hiking, Hiking (2), San Rafael Peak, Sespe Wilderness, SPAM, Writing | 6 Comments

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Afternoon reflections on a deep pool, which would be a lot deeper, as the mineral stain on the rock shows, were it not for the current droughty conditions. Hericium mushrooms are one of the subtle signs of annual change in … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora, Santa Barbara | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Foraging, Hericiums, Hiking, iPhoneography, Mushrooms, Nature, Photos, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wildcraft | 4 Comments

Ballard Camp, Figueroa Mountain

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Jack Elliott

La Jolla Trail Trail through the oak trees. Dropping into Birabent Canyon on La Jolla Trail. A U.S. Forest Service stove at Ballard Camp, which was presumably named after the nearby town of Ballard or its namesake, W. N. Ballard, … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Ballard Camp, Camping, Campsites, Figueroa Mountain, Hiking, iPhoneography, Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Photos, Pics | Leave a comment

A Goofy Guerilla Camp, Cedar Creek

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Along Cedar Creek Trail While ranging off trail recently I came across a bootleg camp along a small spring-fed tributary of Cedar Creek in Sespe Wilderness. It was situated right in the creek. Branches and fallen trees had been lashed … Continue reading →