Tag Archives: Hiking

Little Pine Mountain

  I walked the Santa Cruz Trail up to the top of Little Pine Mountain. It’s about 15 miles round trip with some 3000′ elevation gain. The mountaintop offers views of the Santa Ynez Valley to the south and the … Continue reading

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Figueroa Mountain Wildflowers III

We took the kids up to Figueroa Mountain yesterday for a picnic. While the coastline was buried under a heavy marine layer as we left town, the mountains were warm and sunny. It’s a relatively sparse poppy and lupine bloom … Continue reading

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Pool Rock, Condor Bird Bath?

Pool Rock holding relatively little water for early March. This pool sits atop an outcrop some 80 feet above the ground. In being similar to other pools that attract(ed) California condors, I suspect that in times past condors made use … Continue reading

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Fallen Rock Chumash Pictograph Rock Art

In September 2012 I had the privilege of naming a Chumash pictograph site theretofore undocumented by the U.S. Forest Service. In August 2012 I mentioned on this blog that I stumbled across some Chumash rock art  I didn’t know existed. … Continue reading

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Night on Carrizo Plain, Tule Elk and Caliente Peak

Sun kissed sandstone. “A house was simply a place to sleep. The time that mattered would be spent outdoors.” -Elmer Kelton, Stand Proud (1984) We arrive at Selby Campground in the waning darkness before first light. It’s frosty and clear skied, … Continue reading

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