hiking head lamps

Hiking Gear

Often I share my preference in hiking and backing gear and once again I feel obligated  to share this gear .

 head lamp made by Ledlenser  , I love this lamp as it has a rheostat allowing you to adjust the brightness of the lamp . a few weeks ago I called ledlenser to order a new one as my lamp was suffering severe wear and tear as I use it on trail several times a week and also use it on several back packing adventures a year . In conversation with a customer service agent at Ledlenser I shared mt story of a damaged head lamp and  I was told of a warranty of 5 years . I explained I had the lamp for over three years and no receipt of purchase , she directed me to send the unit in for repair , I did so and the company mailed me a new up dated version that had many more practical features than my old one . I not only find this new lamp superior to my old lamp I am also very impressed with their warranty and service !

 

This lamp is awesome

 



Rinconada Trail

Rinconada Trail

 

Rinconada Trail hike this week was a classic Fall season hike , the weather cool , colors beautiful and the clouds were gathering with a promise of rain . My dog sierra loved the cool breeze . Below is a two minute video of my hike , I hope you enjoy .

 

Big Falls

May 7, 2016

Big Falls Trail in the Los Padres National forest 

San Luis Obispo Co.

Jim , Myself  and my dog Sierra hiked the big Falls Trail . The weather was cool in the early afternoon making for an easy hike of five miles round trip via the High Mountain road . . We were disappointed in the low water flow on the falls but there was plenty of water in the drainage that supplies the falls and Sierra had a ball playing in and out of all the approximately three miles of pools . Good stuff . As you can see the grasses were very deep with many animal trails . with the increased rain fall this year I am sure the wild life are loving the feed and the water . 

For you first timers at this trail , access can be made from upper Lopez canyon road via Arroyo Grande , making  the hike to the falls a short half mile hike , but you miss all the beautiful views . the better hike is from High Mountain road via Pozo Ca. . This makes for a 2 1/2 mile hike down to the falls and of course a 2 aned 1/2 mile back up with a 900 ft . elevation gain , well worth the extra effort . For those of you needing a longer more challenging hike , start at the park area of the Rinconada trail up to High Mountain Road and then n/w 2 miles to the end of same where you will find the Falls trail head on the right side of the road  ( not marked until you travel 1/8 mile down the road .   Note worthy is the sign in book indicates only 6  or 8 hikers visited this trail since the first of the year , the last entry was 24 th of April .

below a celamander under water .

Lake Lopez below 

Rinconada Trail

Rinconada Trail

Saturday 2 nd of January 2016

Cold day several surprises today , Ice on the trail , see photo . fresh Bear tracks 

note the bears have been asleep since late November . Look like something woke up this bear , see the fresh tracks .

The biggest surprise of all , my two friends Jim and Bob and I saw a mountain lion following two girls on the trail , too far away for a photo .

Sierra loves muddy water.below

beach hike

10-15-15

Betty , my wife and with our three dogs spent a couple of days at the beach 

I hiked with two of the dogs on the bluffs north of Cambria Ca.

The weather was great with beautiful sunsets . 

October on Cerro Alto

Hot day -- Scorching Hot 

October 10th  hot day on Cerro Alto , so Sierra and I hiked late 

Sierra modeled for me once again so I could post on my face book

I hope you enjoy " October Moon "

Cerro Alto morning hike

Cerro Alto morning hike 9-10-15

To beat the heat , I hiked Cerro early am 

7:30 am temperature was 75 degrees .

I enjoyed the morning sounds of birds chirping .

Sierra ( my dog ) was magestic by morning light .

I exited the trail at 10:30 am and the temp was 85 degrees .Perfect !

Rinconada Trail

August 8 , 2015 , my birthday on the Rinconada Trail , the weather warm , saw a large bear print 

and large bear scat .   Sierra points out something hiding in the bushes and goes to investigate .

Note Cerro Alto mountain I point out for those of you who are not aware of this view . I hike Cerro alto daily .

I also included a oil painting I made of Sierra , inspired by the photo of her looking  at the summit this day .

Cerro Alto

8-65-15

Cerro alto Summit

The weather was great , cool under an angry sky . This week has been beautiful on the mountain  , the shot below was made at 5 pm , the temperature was 70 degrees . Yep that is Jim at the top hanging onto his hat .

Yuccas in bloom

Rinconada Trail 

Saturday ,June 6th , 2015 , the Pozo are was very hot but beautiful as the Yuccas were in full bloom .

The bears will feast this year as the blooms are large and sweet , I sampled one near the trail !

So hurry to see as they won't last long !