|
IMG_3043_001
IMG 3043
Here it is, proof that John's pack weighed in right at 20 pounds. This is just after we did all our packing in John's living room in Santa Barbara Friday afternoon May 27, 2005.
Date: 05/27/2005
Views: 447
|
IMG_3043a_001
IMG 3043a
We're on the road! This is the view looking in the general directon of Indian Creek from East Camino Cielo above Santa Barbara.
Date: 06/09/2005
Views: 183
|
IMG_3050_001
IMG 3050
After about an hour and 45 minutes of driving from John's place in Santa Barbara, we parked at the closed gate about 5.5 miles from the trailhead. Here we are getting our gear ready to begin riding toward the trail.
Date: 05/27/2005
Views: 197
|
IMG_3053_001
IMG 3053
Ok, time for a random diversion. John caught a glimpse of the glow-in-the-dark emergency release handle on the inside of the trunk and had to get inside to see what it looked like in the dark. Now you know what it looks like too! The red ...
Date: 05/27/2005
Views: 193
|
|
IMG_3053a_001
IMG 3053a
John getting out of the trunk having sucessfully tested the emergency release from the inside.
Date: 06/09/2005
Views: 193
|
IMG_3054
IMG 3054
Well, Jeff wanted in on the diversion too, so in he went... As you see here, out he came, having sucessfully thwarted another sinister attempt to kidnap him by an evil gang of thugs...oh, wait a minute, just testing the lever...this time...
Date: 05/27/2005
Views: 221
|
IMG_3057
IMG 3057
Here we are, ready to get rolling...
Date: 05/27/2005
Views: 225
|
IMG_3059
IMG 3059
Here's Jeff at the sign at the Indian Creek trailhead. As you can see, it was rather dark when we rolled in.
Date: 05/27/2005
Views: 205
|
|
IMG_3064
IMG 3064
Morning has come (May 28, 2005), revealing the rodent-but-not-bear-proof food hanging we had rigged the night before. Tall trees were rather scarce and the 11:00 PM hour had snuck up on us, so this was the best we could muster.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 223
|
IMG_3065
IMG 3065
A two-for-one view of the trail and our campsite! Well, actually, yes, our camp is right in the middle of the trail. Thankfully this is a VERY lightly traveled trail. (part of the reason for doing this trip!)
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 212
|
IMG_3065a
IMG 3065a
Our campsite from the nearby hill. John, um, watering the very thursty landscape. (And Jeff the photographer demonstrating he knows how to add interest to a rather average scene.)
Date: 06/09/2005
Views: 207
|
IMG_3066
IMG 3066
The trailhead log book entry from a trip the King family took almost exactly a year before.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 207
|
|
IMG_3069
IMG 3069
Some flowers near our campsite.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 195
|
IMG_3071
IMG 3071
Jeff acting like he is ready to hit the trail. The tarp, sleeping pad and bags in the background give away that he is only acting!
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 191
|
IMG_3072
IMG 3072
The weir on Indian Creek near the trailhead. The pool in the foreground is usually much smaller by this time - proof of the extremely wet year we had.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 204
|
IMG_3074_PanaWeir
IMG 3074 PanaWeir
Date: 06/20/2005
Views: 211
|
|
IMG_3083
IMG 3083
Ok, now we are really ready to get rolling. Jeff showing how much fun he's having (Ha, ha, just wait, it gets much harder from here!)
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 202
|
IMG_3084
IMG 3084
Within just a few yards of the start of our day, we encountered the first stream crossing below the pool at the weir. Just a few yards beyond that, we were already at our second crossing. Where exactly do you think you are going from...
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 226
|
IMG_3085
IMG 3085
Um, not the most ridable stretch of trail (!), but a fun challange to try to not get our feet wet (yet!).
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 222
|
IMG_3090
IMG 3090
After successfully crossing the stream twice right at the beginning of the trail, we had about a 1/3 mile ride until the next crossing. Here's a view off the side of the trail.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 238
|
|
IMG_3094
IMG 3094
Two crossings later, Jeff is up a creek (ha!) and getting his camera out.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 162
|
IMG_3094a
IMG 3094a
John just after he took the previous shot of Jeff getting his camera out.
Date: 06/09/2005
Views: 143
|
IMG_3097
IMG 3097
A Painted Lady butterfly along the trail.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 124
|
IMG_3099
IMG 3099
Not sure what number crossing this is (there are MANY), but Jeff is still trying to keep his feet dry (we both gave up on that within a few crossings of here).
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 133
|
|
IMG_3101
IMG 3101
A vivid yellow Mariposa Lily just opening up for the day.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 128
|
IMG_3102
IMG 3102
Orchids! John's nose for native orchids (Epipactis gigantea in this case) lead him to this nice clump, the first of many.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 148
|
IMG_3103
IMG 3103
Well, we have obviously given up on staying dry. Here's John riding through the river. We took to the river to avoid a thicket of heavy Poison Oak.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 136
|
IMG_3104
IMG 3104
Jeff just getting off his bike as we came up on a rather deep section of river we couldn't ride through. Though, if you see the videos from this trip, you will see Jeff trying to ride through the 6+ feet of water just behind him!
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 132
|
|
IMG_3106
IMG 3106
A little later in the morning and the vivid yellow Mariposa Lilies have opened up for the day.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 148
|
IMG_3110
IMG 3110
Lower Buckhorn camp, about 4.5 miles in (from the trailhead). This camp had been visited this season, but did not appear to have been occupied (no ashes after the heavy rains, no vegetation smashed down for a sleeping area).
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 137
|
IMG_3110a
IMG 3110a
We made ourselves right at home. We ate lunch, took a brief rest, then hid our bikes in the brush nearby before we headed up the trail on foot.
Date: 06/09/2005
Views: 147
|
IMG_3110b
IMG 3110b
The hill immediately after Lower Buckhorn camp offers this nice view of the meadow below with another camping area right of center.
Date: 06/09/2005
Views: 137
|
|
IMG_3112
IMG 3112
After a hot, dry, brushy section and a couple more stream crossings, we hit this little bit of paradise. The upper canyon offers this type of lush beauty in most of the stream.
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 132
|
IMG_3113
IMG 3113
Jeff the photographer demonstrating he will go to any length to get that perfect shot!
Date: 05/28/2005
Views: 139
|
IMG_3113a
IMG 3113a
And here it is.
Date: 06/09/2005
Views: 119
|
IMG_3113c
IMG 3113c
The upper creek has year-round flow and so has interesting looking "old growth" algae in some places. Something we appreciated was the fact that even with all the algae growth, the rocks are not slippery to step on. This is most likel
Date: 06/18/2005
Views: 113
|
|
IMG_3113e
IMG 3113e
An interesting geological formation along the creek. This appears to be layered sedimentary rock that has been turned up nearly 90 degrees and then was partially eroded by the flow of the creek. It has some neat wavy patterns that make ...
Date: 06/18/2005
Views: 128
|
IMG_3113g
IMG 3113g
The same formation from a different angle.
Date: 06/18/2005
Views: 122
|
IMG_3113h
IMG 3113h
In addition to the algae, the upper creek in many spots has clumps of bunch grass growing right in the creek that help add to that "lush" feel.
Date: 06/18/2005
Views: 129
|
IMG_3113i
IMG 3113i
We've lost the trail here. Before Indian Camp, we were mostly on the trail, but there were a few streaches where we could't find it, so in the creek we went! Jeff's camera did a nice job blurring the water as well as John's face. :)
Date: 06/18/2005
Views: 134
|
