Ventana Wilderness, Pine Valley (05.19-20.2012)
China Camp, packing up and getting ready for a lovely weekend in Pine Valley.
Last time I was here it was cold, rainy, and windy. Today it's hot and sunny. Lets go!
Trailhead view
View towards the ocean
Colorful wildflowers lined the trail the whole way.
The area is recovering well from the fire several years back, but that means the poison oak is coming back.
Awesome views from up along this ridge.
Something related to the century plant.
This gorgeous axe was hanging on the sign. Hope the owner camp back for it.
Rest break at Church Creek.
My new camp shoes, the Columbia Powerdrains. Light and comfy and great for scrambling to our dayhike destination.
On our way to the secret falls.
After a mile or so of goat trail, rocky scrambles, splashing in water, and poison oak, we find ourselves at this heavenly swimming hole.
Yep, this is the life.
Paige in the water to get a better angle on the falls.
Scrambling back up the creek on the way back. Slid once, now I have a nice giant bruise on my shin. :/
Selena, Mike and Mike around our evening campfire.
Pine Valley in the morning. Although this is only a couple of miles from the coast, it reminds me much more of a sierra meadow.
Rocks in Pine Valley
Tall pines
Heading back up the ridge. It's a harder hike out than hike in, so we got started early enough to get the climbs out of the way before it got too hot.
Some of our group heading back up the ridge.
Looking south towards Tassajara
I love this kind of ridge hiking.
We have to cross the top of this ridge; the trailhead is on the other side.
Wildflowers galore.
