Dan's Outside

Bay Area Panorama Feb 2003

Bay Area Panorama from Bull Run Ridge at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. February 2, 2003.
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February 2, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Bay Area Panorama Feb 2003

Umunhum Panorama

Mt. Umunhum panorama from ridgeline at Almaden Quicksilver County Park. February 2, 2003
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February 2, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Umunhum Panorama

2003.02.02

***More Quicksilver Park panoramas

I’ve seen it coming for weeks, but it was visible to anyone today. The central California hills are beginning their annual transformation from brown-gray to emerald green. The grasses have been coming up since at least the beginning of the year, but this week they began to grow past the old, dead grasses from last year.

The view from Almaden Quicksilver County Park extended north beyond San Francisco today.

Old mercury mine near top of the ridge.
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February 2, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.02.02

Waddell Creek Flowers

Waddell Creek flowers. Waddell Creek section of Big Basin State Park. February, 2003.
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February 1, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Waddell Creek Flowers

Waddell Creek

Waddell Creek. Waddell Creek section of Big Basin State Park. February, 2003.
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February 1, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Waddell Creek

Waddell Creek Tall Trees

A grove of tall trees. Waddell Creek section of Big Basin State Park.
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February 1, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Waddell Creek Tall Trees

Waddell Creek Trial

Waddell Creek Trail. Waddell Creek section of Big Basin State Park.
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February 1, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Waddell Creek Trial

Yosemite Buffalo Soldiers

Buffalo soldiers in Yosemite in 1899
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February 1, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Yosemite Buffalo Soldiers

2003.02.01

***Report Concludes Snowmobile Ban Is Best for Parks.
A National Park Service report, completed at the time the administration decided to continue to allow snowmobiles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, says a ban is best. By Katharine Q. Seelye. [New York Times: Science]

***Buffalo Soldiers story – Yosemite ranger tells of tour of duty in Sierra parks
“A couple of years ago, ranger Shelton Johnson made an amazing discovery deep in the archives of Yosemite National Park — he came face to face with his own history.”

“It was a faded 1899 photograph of five U.S. Army cavalry troopers on horseback, rifles slung over their shoulders, on patrol in a pine forest deep in the Yosemite backcountry. Like Johnson, these soldiers were African American. Like Johnson, these soldiers were acting as park rangers.” [SFGate]

***Waddell Creek Hike

While my daughter and her high school mock trial practiced against a Santa Cruz team this morning I managed to squeeze in a quick hike at Waddell Creek, where Big Basin State Park reaches the Pacific Ocean. This is the end-point of the Skyline-to-the-Sea trail which travels from the ridgeline of the Santa Cruz Mountains (at Castle Rock State Park) down to the shore.

I arrived just as a weak Pacific front had passed through, so it was cool and breezy and still a bit wet. Due to limited time I only managed about a 3-4 mile round trip before heading back to Santa Cruz.

I followed the access road rather than taking the hiking trail alternative since the hikers’ bridge over Waddell Creek was reportedly washed out. This road is nearly flat as it follows the gently-ascending bottom of the valley and passes by several small farms.

Although it wasn’t very windy in the valley on the trail, the wind was roaring through the trees on the ridgeline south of the trail.

Even though it is only February 1, quite a few flowers are already starting to make an appearance.

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February 1, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on 2003.02.01

First 2003 Wildflowers

First wildflowers of 2003
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January 26, 2003 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on First 2003 Wildflowers