Cerro Alto 3/28/10

( Cerro Alto , located in the Los Padres National forest Between Morro Bay and Atascadero Ca. )


More color at Cerro Alto .
The weather is warm and the aroma of flowers is strong !
Note third and fourth photo are both sage one, the third is black sage and the fourth is grey sage .

Pine Ridge Trail 3-20-10

We started this hike at the China Camp area west of Greenfield Ca. The trail continues west to Big Sur State park on Hwy 1






















Yes that is me with a horse , the photo is a little fuzzy but I like it as it reminds me of the fun I had ! And that is me also going under a tree fall . Hard work on an old man !!

This Pine Ridge trip was beautiful but difficult as there were many , many dead tree falls and climbing over and under them was hard work while wearing a 40 lb. pack !I was a little disappointed not finding wild flowers yet as in my area the mountains are now covered with flowers . But I enjoyed the scenery just the same as one of my favorite models hiked with us . Her name is Hanna and she is a Berkley student on spring break . I have watched this girl grow up as a dancer and actress and now enjoy her as a backpacking hiker ! For more photos of the trail vistas see my posting on Pine Ridge Trail of 2-10-10

We also met some fun people , cowboys and of course Jack English a 91 year old resident of Pine Valley and he is doing fine. Jack is always a pleasure to visit and he still hikes out to buy groceries.

Spring on Cerro Alto

( Cerrro Alto my home Mountain near Atascadero Ca. )


Spring is bursting all over our mountains ! The weather is great .
Butterflies are out and so are the snakes !

Cerro Alto 2nd week March

( Cerro Alto in the Los Padres National Forest near Atascadereo Ca. )

These shots are at the top of the mountain.

Is the 2nd week of march and the weather is improving , it is dry but cold at the top. I was lucky to meet so many young people the past few days.

Much fun !

The shot of me walking was a surprise as I was not aware it was taken .

snake season

Hi guys ,
I don"t mean to instruct , but in a couple of weeks these guys will be out in force and they love the trail , Cerro Alto Los Paders forrest in SLO Co. The King snake is a good guy ! He is not very frightened
of humans-- please don't bother him . He also eats Rattlers !!
As for the Rattler--- give him space !
Learn all you can about how to protect yourself before a bite and after a bite !

Cerro Alto- Scout Trail

( Cerro Alto located in the Los Padres National forest near Atascadero Ca. )

By several requests , a couple of photos of the Scout Trail on Cerro Alto . The first is the trail head near hwy 41 at entrance to campground , it continues level for approx 1/8 mile and then climbs about 600 ft in 3/4 mile distance and continues along the ridge and you can see Morro Rock from the ridge , then the trail enters a eucalyptus grove and continues for another 3/4 mile and exits on a ridge with The summit of Cerro Alto access in full view.

Big Falls Trail

( Big Falls trail located in the Los Padres National forest east of Santa Margarita Ca. Ca. )

Big Falls

This is one of my favorite hikes because of the diverse beauty in landscape and geometric composition in the rock formations .

The hike is 6 miles in and out , however , I like doing a loop Big Falls and Little Falls ( 8 miles ) or both falls starting at Rinconada trail total of 14 miles . any of these combinations is a Strenuous !

The long loop is better access near Pozo Ca. and the single falls trail is best reached via Arroyo Grande Ca. access.These shots were made in late October after some rain .