Vaca Mountains
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Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve Vaca Mountains |
May 25, 2016
Fire ravaged this canyon last fall, and Blue Ridge above it as well.
The area's trails, having been closed for safety reasons, were re-opened
just four days ago. It being quite warm today, I don't know how far I
will travel, but I wanted to see the area now in its initial recovery stages.
No shade, eh? Well, I did load up on sunscreen
The old parking lot that I have used today is slated for condemnation.
Apparently the powers that be didn't like hikers risking life and limb crossing
Highway-128 to reach the trail; so a new and improved parking area is
under construction about a quarter of a mile downstream, and it even features
a potty.
Now hikers get to walk underneath the road through a long drainage pipe. Apparently, future visitors must plan to get their feet wet in the early season.
It seems that the graffiti artists have known about this place for many years
After negotiating the tunnel, exiting the ditch involves rough going. This section of the trail, at least, will have to be improved. After putting two dollars into the donation bin, I head upstream.
There is some greenery, which is good
Burned areas, below and above
There is no lack of flowers, despite the relative devastation; in fact, they are all over the place.
Woodland Clarkia
Golden Fairy Lantern
Miner's Lettuce
Twining Snakelily
There is water in Cold Creek
Presently, I encounter a flower variety previously observed only over at Feather Falls. In retrospect, I had difficulty choosing from among my photographs of these exquisite specimens:
Red Ribbons just might be the prettiest flowers in the lowlands
Heading southward
Klamath Weed
Harvest Brodiaea
Although there is no shade, the weeds are taller than I am
Reaching the homestead spur, I amble over there. Unlike on previous visits, the usual mosquito horde is conspicuously absent. I cannot fathom how anyone could have enjoyed living here in the springtime with those bugs around.
The Vlahos Homestead
The air temperature is up to eighty degrees now, and the prospect of climbing yet another thousand feet to a very rough trail no longer appeals. I'll just amble back the way I came and visit with some more flowers.
Starting back
Chaparral Clarkia
Orange Bush Monkeyflower
At one point, I must lie prone on the trail in order to capture a variety that is new to me. The little flowers are but a quarter of an inch wide.
Downy Pincushionplant
Ithuriel's Spear
Whispering Bells
Cow Parsnip
Queen Anne's Lace
Having been busy concentrating on the red beetle, I didn't even notice the presence of that bee at the time.
There is hope for this place
Near the end of the walk I am startled by a brightly colored rattlesnake slithering across the trail. By the time I can get my camera ready, though, it has disappeared down toward the creek. I have no idea how long it was, but it was the fattest rattler I ever saw.
Morning Glory
What does it all mean?
§: Well, today's floral display was an unexpected treat; I had
no idea that I would capture so many memorable photos. I am anxious
to return when this place is at its best — next April.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Flowers |  |
| Solitude |  |
ADDENDUM
My hunt for the perfect hiking camera has been a decade-long effort. All that I want or need is a unit that is sufficiently versatile, yet sufficiently lightweight and portable that it can fit into an open pocket in my lumbar pack so as to be readily accessible at all times. That requirement rules out anything that is bulky or necessitates the changing of lenses. Efficiency and ease of use are more important to me than scoring one or two potentially perfect shots; I can try for those elsewhere.
A long zoom lens is very nice for those occasional wildlife opportunities, and easy attachment of a sunshade or polarizer is an undeniable plus. Also, an articulated rear screen is handy, and tolerance to weather can be invaluable at certain times. Apparently, however, a good EVF and a reasonably fast lens are of paramount importance to me.
To that end, I have gravitated toward a model that, among its other
hiker-friendly features, just happens to produce the easiest and best
close-ups of any unit I have used — the remarkable
Olympus Stylus 1. Until something better comes along,
that is what will be in my pack most of the time.
In parting, I would share another view of those marvelous Red Ribbons:
Click once or twice for best effect ⇔
