Ecological Reserve
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North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve |
April 28, 2016
Colds and conflicting schedules prevented me from bringing friends up here
this year; but I am determined finally to pay a visit, hoping that something
remains of the flowers and the waterfalls. There is but one car in the
big parking lot at 10 a.m., so few others are sharing my enthusiasm.
The cows are docile today, content just to stand around as I pass by
Having a plan, I opt to leave the trail and cut straight across toward Phantom Falls. This requires me to slither under a fence labeled as private property; yet I (and countless others) have done this before, and no one has accosted me yet.
There is but a trickle here
Owl Clover
Wow! Those red hues are exquisite, and that's a new variety for my photo collection. Other than those specimens, though, few flowers are around, and already it is warming up. As anticipated, the big falls are a big disappointment.
Phantom Falls is living up to its name today
The creek that is supposed to feed the fall
Half a mile north of here is another canyon that I have yet to explore, so I proceed directly toward it.
Flag Canyon
Following the cliff-top eastward for a ways, soon I can hear running water I scramble around a bit, but to no avail. I cannot get a decent view.
Hidden Fall is back there, but it's bashful
The deep chasm make access virtually impossible
Perhaps something can be done, however. There doesn't seem to be any poison oak in the way, so I bushwhack down through brittle willows to the brink of the falls.
It's not much of a photograph, but it is an interesting place
Just above the falls
Today's wildlife entry is an armada of pink water skippers
Canyon Liveforever
Milk Thistle
From the next vantage point I can see the upper stretch of Flag Canyon.
No waterfalls are roaring up there today
Looking north toward Chico
There is nothing for it not but to make a bee-line back, toward the
landmark trapezoid-shaped oak tree. I'll have to deal
with another fence, but that's how it goes.
One of several springs on the mountain
Somewhere in here I manage to stumble and bang my upper shin on a rock. It stops hurting soon, but I fear that I will hear from it again. Meanwhile, a herd of cows approaches me, runs off, approaches again, then runs off again. When they come back for a third time, I already have topped the rise; so the gang is able to veer down to their presumed destination, the watering hole.
They are determined to come this way...
...and this is why
Right where I left them
§: Well, there were thirteen more cars in the parking lot as I finished; so I guess I wasn't the only crazy one out here today. I will return here, of course, but only at the best time. When the stickyseed and poppies are out and the falls are flowing, this place is joyfully unique. Today it was little more than a hot, difficult slog. I upgraded the rating based upon the bit of excitement I did have over at Hidden Falls.
And yes, my left shin has a sizable lump on it.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Waterfalls |  |
| Solitude | |
