An old outbuilding along Pacheco Creek Trail not too far from Pacheco Camp.
I slept in nicely this morning, partly because of the excellent shade from the huge oak tree. I begin walking up Pacheco Creek Trail in the hot sun around 13h.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h03
I slept in nicely this morning, partly because of the excellent shade from the huge oak tree that I'm camped under, partly because it cooled down so much overnight.
Breakfast is two bowls of miso soup with seaweed, two cups of coffee, one bag Mary Jane's Wild Forest Mushroom Couscous (OK, but boring and unsubstantial), a handful of tequila pistachios, and a few tamari almonds.
I think I hear something around 11h while eating. I look outside and see a ranger vehicle drive past. Though it didn't stop, this is my first brush with humanity in almost five days.
By 13h I'm leaving Pacheco Camp for my day hike up Pacheco Creek Trail in the hot sun. I fill my two-litre Camelbak with spring water and bring along a few extra litres in my half-full 10-litre water bag.
Breakfast is two bowls of miso soup with seaweed, two cups of coffee, one bag Mary Jane's Wild Forest Mushroom Couscous (OK, but boring and unsubstantial), a handful of tequila pistachios, and a few tamari almonds.
I think I hear something around 11h while eating. I look outside and see a ranger vehicle drive past. Though it didn't stop, this is my first brush with humanity in almost five days.
By 13h I'm leaving Pacheco Camp for my day hike up Pacheco Creek Trail in the hot sun. I fill my two-litre Camelbak with spring water and bring along a few extra litres in my half-full 10-litre water bag.
Half a mile up Pacheco Creek Trail, the singletrack Rose Dam Trail veers off and rises eventually to Hoover Lake.
I haven't been up to Hoover Lake yet. It was on the list of possible routes for today's little hike, but it didn't make the short list this time around.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h07
I haven't been up to Hoover Lake yet. It was on the list of possible routes for today's little hike, but it didn't make the short list this time around.
There's so much to explore here!
There's so much to explore here!
Gnarled oak on Pacheco Creek Trail at a (dry) creek crossing.
This tree looks like it may have had a hard life.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h10
This tree looks like it may have had a hard life.
Almost two miles up Pacheco Creek Trail, I see the sign ahead for the trail to Rose Spring.
Perhaps I'll go see what Rose Spring looks like. I don't need any water in addition to what I'm carrying, but the trail is only 0.2 miles long, according to my map.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h36
Perhaps I'll go check out Rose Spring, since the trail is only 0.2 miles long, according to my map.
I don't need any water in addition to what I'm carrying, but it will be fun to explore and find out what Rose Spring looks like, and if it has any water in it at this hot and dry time of the year.
I don't need any water in addition to what I'm carrying, but it will be fun to explore and find out what Rose Spring looks like, and if it has any water in it at this hot and dry time of the year.
The trail to Rose Spring obviously doesn't get a whole lot of use.
Compared to some of the less-travelled trails in Coe Park, this one is fairly well-defined.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h37
Compared to some of the less-travelled trails in Coe Park, this one is fairly well-defined.
Looking for Rose Spring, it should be here somewhere.
The double tire tracks of the trail end, and I follow the faint-in-places trail that continues along the dry creek bed.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h51
The double tire tracks of the trail come to an end, so I follow the faint-in-places trail that continues upstream along the dry creek bed.
I see some dried algae in the stream bed from last spring, but I see no sign of moisture here.
I see some dried algae in the stream bed from last spring, but I see no sign of moisture here.
The dry creek bed near Rose Spring.
I'm not sure if I walked too far, or not far enough, but I haven't seen Rose Spring. Maybe I'm too busy watching out for poison oak and rattlesnakes and missed it.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h55
I'm not sure if I walked too far, or not far enough, but I haven't seen Rose Spring. Maybe I'm too busy watching out for poison oak and rattlesnakes and missed it. No big deal; it has been an enjoyable little side trip.
I return to Pacheco Creek Trail and continue walking up the canyon.
I return to Pacheco Creek Trail and continue walking up the canyon.
Further up Pacheco Creek Trail, a grader parked alongside the trail bakes in the hot sun, with nobody inside.
It's Saturday today, so I guess the operator doesn't work on weekends and only got this far yesterday afternoon.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h15
It's Saturday today, so I guess the operator doesn't work on weekends and only got this far yesterday afternoon.
It's clear that the trail was freshly graded, but it didn't occur to me that the work might still be in progress. I'm glad now that I chose to hike it here today instead of riding in the soft surface on my bike, which I had considered.
A squat California buckeye on the left side of the road waits for winter rains.
It's clear that the trail was freshly graded, but it didn't occur to me that the work might still be in progress. I'm glad now that I chose to hike it here today instead of riding in the soft surface on my bike, which I had considered.
A squat California buckeye on the left side of the road waits for winter rains.
A yellow-flowered buckwheat-like plant.
There are so few flowers blooming at this hot time of year that even small flowers like these can be noticeable.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h23
There are so few flowers blooming at this hot time of year that even small flowers like these can be noticeable.
A canteen hangs on the sign indicating Canteen Trail.
2.5 miles up Pacheco Creek Trail from Pacheco Camp is the junction of Canteen Trail and Dog Trail. I take Canteen Trail, which is flat for a short distance.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h29
2.5 miles up Pacheco Creek Trail from Pacheco Camp is the junction of Canteen Trail and Dog Trail. I take Canteen Trail, which is flat for a short distance, as far as Canteen Spring. After that, it rises steeply for about 1/2 mile up to the top of Pacheco Ridge.
The lower part of Canteen Trail, near the spring.
The oak grassland begins a transition to chamise chapparal, which will be completed as the trail rises up the steep hill.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h33
The oak grassland begins a transition to chamise chapparal, which will be completed as the trail rises up the steep hill.
Canteen Spring is full but not flowing.
Despite significant algae on the surface, the water at Canteen Spring looks clean and clear.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h37
Despite significant algae on the surface, the water at Canteen Spring looks clean and clear.
A downed pine tree blocks the first rise on the Canteen Trail.
The rising Canteen Trail can be seen toward the top-left above the fallen tree.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h40
The rising Canteen Trail can be seen toward the top-left above the fallen tree.
A little higher up Canteen Trail, the basin of the Canteen Spring is still visible in the centre of the photo as a white blotch.
This trail rises fast, and it's hot up here. I take a break alongside a pine tree to get out of the hot sun for a few minutes.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h42
This trail rises fast, and it's hot up here. I take a break alongside a pine tree to get out of the hot sun for a few minutes.
Canteen Trail keeps heading upward.
Once you get part of the way up the hill, there's not much shade to be had.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h48
Once you get part of the way up the hill, there's not much shade to be had.
Looking back down the Canteen Trail to take in the view.
Because the trail is steep and in open terrain, I get the impression of having climbed more than I've really done. That's fine by me.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h50
Because the trail is steep and in open terrain, I get the impression of having climbed more than I've really done. That's fine by me.
Great views. That should be Willow Ridge on the other side of the canyon, whose ups and downs I rode in the moonlight on the way to Mississippi Lake five nights ago.
Great views. That should be Willow Ridge on the other side of the canyon, whose ups and downs I rode in the moonlight on the way to Mississippi Lake five nights ago.
Higher up the Canteen Trail toward the top.
Another steep section. I'm enjoying the hot, sweaty climb. I'm taking it fairly slow though, and drinking lots of water, to prevent overheating.
Date: September 01, 2007, 14h52
Another steep section. I'm enjoying the hot, sweaty climb. I'm taking it fairly slow though, and drinking lots of water, to prevent overheating.
The top of Canteen Trail ends at Pacheco Ridge Road.
From here, I'll have a two-mile walk on top of the world on Pacheco Ridge Road.
Date: September 01, 2007, 15h04
From here, I'll have a two-mile walk on top of the world on Pacheco Ridge Road before dropping back down into the canyon to my Pacheco Camp campsite.
One of a series of ups and down on Pacheco Ridge Road. Awesome views up here.
It looks like this could be called "Roller Coaster Ridge," but that name is reserved for Willow Ridge Road across the canyon, which seems to have more, and steeper, rollers.
Date: September 01, 2007, 15h06
It looks like this could be called "Roller Coaster Ridge," but that name is reserved for Willow Ridge Road across the canyon, which seems to have more, and steeper, rollers.
Heading up one of the rollers on Pacheco Ridge Road.
This could be fun on a bike; I'll make a point of doing a day ride up here some day.
Date: September 01, 2007, 15h12
This could be fun on a bike; I'll make a point of doing a day ride up here some day.
Heading down the other side of the hill on Pacheco Ridge Road that I just came up.
There are a few grey pines up here, but it's mostly chamise chapparal.
Date: September 01, 2007, 15h27
There are a few grey pines up here, but it's mostly chamise chapparal.
Enjoying the views up on Pacheco Ridge Road in the hot sun. My cell phone works here!
Time to check in for messages and to leave a new outgoing message to tell anyone who calls where I am.
Date: September 01, 2007, 13h53
Time to check in for messages and to leave a new outgoing message to tell anyone who calls where I am.
Deer near Pacheco Ridge Road.
As I get close to Coit Road, I come across these two deer browsing in the field.
Date: September 01, 2007, 16h29
As I get close to Coit Road, I come across these two deer browsing in the field.
Descending Coit Road back into the canyon to my campsite at Pacheco Camp.
Coit Road descends about 300 feet as it winds its way down the hill over 3/4 mile. It's not as steep as it looks owing to the switchbacks in the road.
Date: September 01, 2007, 16h35
Coit Road descends about 300 feet as it winds its way down the hill over 3/4 mile. It's not as steep as it looks owing to the switchbacks in the road.
A family of deer visit Pacheco Camp to get a drink from the "horse spring."
My tent is only a few hundred feet from the "horse spring," so the deer hesitate before approaching the spring. I try to be still so as not to deter them (I'm sure they need the water in this hot weather).
Date: September 01, 2007, 18h47
My tent is only a few hundred feet from the "horse spring," so the deer hesitate before approaching the spring. I try to be still so as not to deter them (I'm sure they need the water in this hot weather).
Good thing for them that I'm not a deer hunter.
Good thing for them that I'm not a deer hunter.
95 degrees in the shade at Pacheco Camp at 19h.
If it's 95 down here, how hot was it up on the ridge earlier? A ranger drives by after dark, first person I've spoken to in five days; she tells me it was 102 degrees at Park Headquarters today.
Date: September 01, 2007, 18h54
I've obviously acclimated to the heat during this trip. If it's 95 down here in the shade now, it must have been over 100 in the midday sun while I was up on the ridge. But it didn't occur to me that it might be another triple-digit day.
A bit before sundown, a small pick-up truck drives past and heads up Pacheco Creek Trail. Shortly after, I hear voices and can see two men wearing Camelbaks, but no backpacks, over by the horse camp. They disappear, but a few minutes later the pickup trucks passes by camp again, apparently leaving. The driver sees me in the tent peering out and waves.
Supper tonight is Mountain House Beef Stew, good as always with its rubbery carrot, meat and potato pieces.
Around 20h30, a vehicle passes through camp and it turns out to be a ranger on patrol. We speak for about 15 minutes, the first time I've spoken to anyone in five days. I notice that my speech is rapid, so I guess this is an exciting event for me. She tells me that it was 102 degrees at Park Headquarters today and gives me a couple of 1/2 litre bottles of water.
Continue to Ride from Pacheco Camp to China Hole.
A bit before sundown, a small pick-up truck drives past and heads up Pacheco Creek Trail. Shortly after, I hear voices and can see two men wearing Camelbaks, but no backpacks, over by the horse camp. They disappear, but a few minutes later the pickup trucks passes by camp again, apparently leaving. The driver sees me in the tent peering out and waves.
Supper tonight is Mountain House Beef Stew, good as always with its rubbery carrot, meat and potato pieces.
Around 20h30, a vehicle passes through camp and it turns out to be a ranger on patrol. We speak for about 15 minutes, the first time I've spoken to anyone in five days. I notice that my speech is rapid, so I guess this is an exciting event for me. She tells me that it was 102 degrees at Park Headquarters today and gives me a couple of 1/2 litre bottles of water.
Continue to Ride from Pacheco Camp to China Hole.