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

 



Pine Ridge Trail

Pine Ridge Trail 4-2015

Once again , we hiked the Pine ridge Trail . Mark , Wayne , Bill and Myself hiked with a triple purpose adventure . 

1. Visiting Jack English was definitely a goal as we were informed that he would be flying in by helicopter for a visit to his cabin .
2. Mark wanted to visit the Caves and see some native American cave drawings .
3. We hoped to enjoy some wild flowers  

I got lucky and accomplished all three goals . The wild flowers were beautiful and at their blooming peak . Jack did in fact fly in and we visited with him and his son . Mark enjoyed the Caves and the drawings . 

And once again , Bill surprised us with a visit in Pine Valley . He hiked in with a dinner to die for .

we enjoyed shrimp , cheeses , baked salmon , chicken casserole , bread , fine wine , and pie for dessert . This makes two years consecutively that Bill has done this for us . This is  a hard act to repay as he had to carry all this in a back pack for six miles with an elevation gain of 1000 ft .

Please enjoy the photos .

Above Sierra enjoying the wild flowers .

Myself and the Monterey Ba yin the background .

above --Wayne

too steep for gathering a bouquet 

above Pine Valley

Mark -- teaching us about flowers

above --- deer leg left behind by a cougar 

cave drawings , above and beow

more drawings

above -- the caves

more shots of the caves

caves

note worthy -- we had lunch in the caves

Life doesn't get any better !

above   Jack at 95 years of age

above Jack's son Denis

above dennis and Jack

above photo taken at the Church Ranch

dinner at Jacks cabin

after dinner music by Denis and wayne

Try this video 

above Denis and Jack

myself and Jack

This is a selfy of Bill , the friend responsible for the great dinner in the wilderness .

Without Bill this hiking adventure would not have come together as 

he kept me up to date on Jack and arranged th caves visit .

And I can't say enough about the dinner and three botttles of fine red wine !

San Luis Obispo Co wild life and Hiking

Wild Life

I am often asked to post some photos of wild life I have encountered

below are a few photos I will post later , time permitting .

All of these photos , except one  ( the large bear ) are local in the

Los Padres  Forest .

Hikers often tell me that they don't see much wild life .
They ask me for tips on how to see more animals .
My tips are as follow :
* Hike at sun rise and sunset .
* Hike alone .
* Dont listen to music .
Slow down !
*Stop often and look !
* Pay attention to tracks and hike in areas that game is working .
If you have a dog , train it to help you see wild life .

located in the  Los Padres Forest
Btw.  Morro Bay and Atascadero Ca.

Thule Elk

youmg bucks ready to fight

I whistle toget their attention .

above , fight in progress in Pozo area

Kit Fox on Cerro Alto

above  a deer

Mountain lion track  -- Cerro Alto

I hike daily and several times a week I see lion tracks

I see lions monthly but they are toofast to get a photo of .

I photographed   a night shot with a motion activated camera . 

Above a Golden Eagle .

I have photographed many of same .

above bear scat --- blue berries -- Cerro Alto

above   bear  scat manzanita berry

These berries are Cinnamon flavor



bear scat --- grass

very large bear scat -- manzanita berries

small bear --- Pozo area  250 lbs

above -- large bear 500 plus  -- Bear Creek area

very large bear tracks --  Pozo area ( my shoe is size 13 )

Rattle snake   Cerro alto

I see many every week -- often I see several daily .

above a golden eagle  -- wing spans 7 ft

Tom turkey -- Pozo area

this turkey tried to attack me .

Hawk -- Pozo area

Hawk in flight

lady bugs in the spring on Cerro Alto

Banana Slug on Cerro alto

above -- night shot of mountain lion

doves above

wild pigs

golden eagle in flight

golden eagle in tree

 above -- turkey tracks--Pozo area

Above is my daily hiking companion Sierra .

She is three years old .

I know she is not wild life , but I love her .

Above is Sheena -- a professional dancer .

As a professional photographer , I enjoy shooting on Cerro Alto.

I just added this photo to spice things up !

Above is a lion track in the mud , these guys love to use the trails in the rain --

 Cerro Alto trail .

lots of lizzards on the trail

Red tail hawk in flight

I see many hawks .

Cerro Alto trail --- butterfly

Large bear scat on Cerro alto

Bush bunny on Cerro Alto

Fox on Cerro Alto trail

Above and below photos are of a lion foot print on top of a human

hiker's foot print . I hike in the rain . This day , I met this hiker

in a rain storm and noted the lion stalking him .

Look closely and you will see the lion track on top of the

hiker's shoe print . all faded away within minutes .

Lions love to stalk hikers . They usually stalk along

hidden in the chaparral , however when hiking on a in and

out trail on a rainy day I often see myself being stalked .

Now that I have a dog , this no longer happens as Sierra

my dog guards me constantly .

baby mouse , note the size compared to the blade of grass

above  --- raven in flight

I often see flocks of these in flight .

Another Golden eagle .

When hiking under trees  , look up , youwill often be surprised

at what ypu will see !

coyote scat--- note the hair 

another rattler

Dragon fly--- above

Above Buck in velvet ---- new forked horns

above -- a doe at side of trail 

Look right and left of trail -- deer blend in and stand still .

Tom thrkey in the middle of trail .

I often see animals on the trail when hiking slowly 

and alone .

I have often walked to within two or three feet of 

a deer , turkey ,rabbit , or fox when I am 

down wind from them and their back is to me .

Tip --- when  are hiking into a head wind ,

slow down and walk quietly and you may

surprise an animal .

All three above wild life were on Cerro Alto .

Remember I hike with a dog and this requires 

full cooperation of the dog .

Below is Sierra ----- quiet and pointing  .

She helps me see  .

Cerro Alto Quail

above --- a peacock 

This is another example of how a trained dog

can help you locate a wildlife .

My dog pointed out this bird that was hidden 

50 to 60 ft. off trail .

above ---- a night shot of a red fox 

above ---- Mule Deer track 

note the size and the dew claw marks