Los Padres National Forest. Climbing Chorro Grande to the spring, which could have been running better. Lots of ticks questing. First day ba
Los Padres National Forest. Across the long ridge of Pine Mountain tagging Reyes and Haddock on the way before arriving late at camp. Day 2
Los Padres National Forest. Decided to return via lower trail and road, so down the hill to Sespe, where I managed to get a ride. Day 3 back
Los Padres National Forest, California.
I headed out to backpack along the top of Pine Mountain, better known by it's high point Reyes Peak. First day was up to the barely flowing, but historically reliable, spring near the top.
Second day was across the top with the grand views in between being in the trees. I've done it a few times, but one must climb up to it in the wintery season. It was warm enough hiking, but my feet were getting wet from the remains of snow. Just before camp, there is a crossing of a rather well running creek. I figured my feet couldn't get much wetter and splashed on through. They were definitely wetter. My shoes didn't dry out any as one of the heaviest dews I have ever been in came down that night.
I decided I didn't want to go back the way I'd come as planned and started downhill. This can be a loop, but there is something like 8 miles of shoulder free highway to walk at the end. I tried to find some painting and failed, then on down. My feet were getting drier all the time. In the evening, already after dark, I asked one last group of day hikers and got a ride back to me car instead of having the road hike. I also missed a lesser used section of trail that was quite nice, if overgrown, when I tried it later. From April 2012.
