2011 - Horsethief Creek Hike

We started our excursion by leaving Indio at sea level and travelling 40 km up the winding mountain highway #74 into the Santa Rosa Mountains, parking at 1230 meters above sea level. 

Our hike was rated as easy/moderate and we walked about 7.6 km (4.7 miles) and the elevation change was about 203 meters (666 ft.).  The trail took us beside an old dolomite mine and on through a valley with many hill crests formed from the surrounding hills.  We had the impression that we were going downhill more than up and of course on the way back to the truck it became very obvious that we were expending far more energy getting back.

This is the vertical profile of our hike.  The start point is on the top right and the creek is at the bottom left.

The trail started off as an old road to the dolomite mine.

 

As we crested the hills it was a great opportunity to take a photo of the next section of valley and as we got closer to the creek we hoped to see a creek.



The hillsides are showing evidence of extreme geological activity

Horsethief Creek Valley - This is the most colourful time of year as the cottonwoods are changing colour.

Horsethief Creek

We saw many animals but unfortunately were only able to get a photo of a small lizard.  There were squirrels and other rodents. We also saw some birds close to the water filled streams.

He blends into his surroundings quite well.



The scenery was made more spectacular by the abundance and variety of vegetation.  Different species of plants were clustered together and thriving. 

California Scrub Oak

Desert Fuchsia

Juniper bush loaded with berries

The environment overwhelmed this tree

And this tree seems to be overwhelming this rocky hillside

Century Plant - is part of the Agava family and is misnamed as it only lives 10 - 30 years.
This one sent up a large bloom and then died finishing its life cycle. 
You can see a new plant just behind
this one, probably a sucker off the original plant.

As we finished our hike the sun was shining on this hill covered with a selection of green and rust coloured plants and dotted by tan coloured rocks.

2011 - Morro Bay

Before we went to Morro Bay we spent a weekend in Gilroy CA.  We had our friends from San Francisco area come down and visit.  We had an opportunity to visit a few wineries and also headed out to the coast to Moss Landing to sample a famous seafood restaurant, Phil's Seafood Market.  The food was great and we also had a walk in on the beach to get a bit of an appetite. 

We also had some RV work to do and so my friend and I were off to Camping World to get supplies.  I was very surprised that they let people ride around the store.  I was even more surprised when the clerk threw me the keys and said I could take it for a spin.  I only 'almost' hit a woman at the end of an aisle.

Morro Bay has a long history and the rock that stands 576 feet has drawn many different people to it and the entrance of the harbour.  First it was the Chumash Indians as early as 47 centuries before Christ and then Spaniards in 1542 and then surfers, power para gliders and just ordinary beach walking tourists like ourselves today.

In the 1800's they were quarrying the rock for breakwaters but thankfully the citizens got together to stop the practice in 1968 and it is now a refuge for Peregrine Falcon.  We also saw many other birds in the tidal waters.

 

This morning there were a dedicated bunch of surfers enjoying the waves that the wind kicked up overnight.  You can't make them out in the photo but they are just off to the right in the picture below.

Lin and I went for a drive through town  and saw they had many tourist shops, bakeries, restaurants and places you can rent boats or charter for fishing.  We hit the coast at a perfect time, lots of sunshine but the wet weather is on the way so it is time to start heading to the desert.

Morro Rock

Power Para Glider learning takeoff and landing.

Sunsets around here usually have a large audience.

2011 Another Journey Starts and Crater Lake

We left Parksville BC on the morning of the 25th October and the weather was beautiful.  The ferry ride from Duke Point in Nanaimo over to Twassawan (Vancouver) was great.  The strait was almost like glass and just before the ferry docked we had our lunch.  Lin picked an excellent spot at the front of the ferry right beside the floor to ceiling windows.  Nothing like munching on a White Spot burger watching our destination coming into view.

Lin enjoying the view as she knits.

After three nights in Vancouver we headed across the border and on the 30th of October we stopped between Grants Pass and Medford Oregon at a place called Gold Hill at the KOA.  It is an older park but it had all the services we require and it is right beside the highway leading to Crater Lake's western entrance.

The next morning the weather report was favourable and the web cam at the lake showed sunshine on the crater rim so we were off on our long awaited adventure.  I have wanted to visit Crater Lake since we started snow birding in 2003. 

The trip to the park took almost one and a half hours through farm land, forest and beside creeks and rivers.  The fall colours are out and in one spot in the forest the deciduous trees were on display below the pines that towered above them.   As we neared the park entrance the pine trees were glistening with water drops as the sun had just melted the frost on the needles.  I only wished that the sun had done as good a job on the road.  It was very slippery in some sections and the visitor center parking lot was a sheet of ice.

After buying the obligatory T-shirt we were off up Mt. Mazama to the crater's edge.  The elevation is around 2165 m (7100 ft) as you get to the top of the West Rim Drive and I was amazed to see such a huge lake.  The lake width is 4.5 to 6 miles wide and is 1,943 feet deep.  It is the deepest and cleanest water in USA as it is has no streams or rivers feeding it.  The water is supplied by rain and snow.  The colour was a dark steely blue that reflected the sun like a mirror.

We visited a number of turn-outs along the 33 mile rim road and took pictures and breathed in the crisp fresh mountain air.  We also noted that there was an absence of sound and then to ensure we hadn't gone deaf you could hear a plane overhead. 

Wizard Island

Crater Lake Panorama

Phantom Ship in distance

Mill Falls on drive back to Gold Hill

2011 - 12 Morison Creek Falls

Morison Creek winds it way through Errington BC and eventually joins up with the Errington River.  I have been told there are a number of falls along this creek however, this is the only one I have searched out.  The trails in the area have many windfalls across them but it was only about 1 km to the falls from Stagdowne Road where the truck was parked.   It was an excellent spot to go for a walk in the bush but the trail down to the falls is very steep and I slid down the last six feet; luckily on my boots and not my butt.

Chip found it easier going over and under windfalls. He is certainly in his element.

2011 - 11 Little Qualicum Falls

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park was a great place to be today.  It is situated about 12 km west from the Qualicum Beach/Parksville area and is situated in a forested area and the Little Qualicum River weaves its way through a rocky gorge down to the ocean. 

As you will see in some of these photos the weather was very transient; rain then sun and then a little snow mixed in the rain but no one got wet and the river had lots of water. 



Upstream view from the lower falls bridge




Downstream view from lower falls bridge




Did I mention snow in the rain?



Lower Falls



Deep section of the gorge




The river took a path of least resistance a few years back (million or two)




These falls are just downstream of the middle bridge and are the most impressive.



This photo was taken July 2009, not much water flowing that day...



2011 - 10 Englishman River Falls

Linda and I returned back to Vancouver Island on Wednesday and after unpacking the trailer and getting caught up on some chores we headed off for a small hike close to us.  The day started with rain but the sun came out and so it was off to the Falls.  We haven't seen this much water going over the rocks for quite a few years so it was good to be there.

Here is the description of the provincial park from their website: 

The park has a large day-use area and campground and contains several hiking trails that meander through the forest and along the river. Visitors can expect spectacular views along the way, particularly from two bridges that cross the river where it plunges down the narrow rock canyon toward quieter waters below. The lower falls end in a deep crystal-clear pool - an ideal swimming hole in the summer when river levels are low and a great place to view spawning salmon in the fall.

Upper Falls - looking down from the bridge



Water pouring into a narrow slot canyon





View from the upper bridge looking down stream



After a winter in the desert this is so lush and GREEN!



Rain drops still hanging on the cedars



Lin took this photo of the fungi and vines - great contrast



Chip and I survey the damage from a storm that went through a few days ago





Sun playing with the water current



The forest floor with its beautiful carpet of plants



Lower falls - picture taken from lower bridge. The water is starting to spill over the large rock that plugs the canyon.



Lower falls - Nov 2010



Lower falls - Feb 2009



Lower falls - May 2003



Another view of our forest carpet