Ecological Reserve
|
North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve |
April 6, 2024
Two weeks ago, the flowers here were pretty anemic; so today I have returned with Allen and Walter, who will have driven for about seven hours before this day is over.
At the trailhead
A new route to Phantom Falls was established just a couple of years ago; but as
usual, I head us down the 'old' route because it represents a much nicer and more
direct access to the planned big loop. Almost immedately, however, we
encounter a brand-new barbwire fence.
A signpost specifies "Park Boundary", but there is no admonishment to "Keep Out". Being loath to retrace any steps, we clamber over a brick pylon that holds the fence in place. An approaching hiker warns us that another such obstacle lies ahead.
On the "old" deprecated route
I have promised a visit to many falls, but this is not one of them
A mini-confluence
Bolbitiaceae Fungus
After just half a mile, a treacherous trail segment gets us down to our first major attraction.
Hollow Falls
The new fencing that we were warned about
I seems as if management is discouraging us from doing the loop; undaunted, however, we press on to an upcoming obstacle that I call the "mud pits".
True to form, I promptly step into several inches of it
The slime wan't deep enough to get inside my boots, however; so all is well.
Those rocks are pretty well balanced
At the mouth of Campbell Creek Canyon, the view is disappointing but not unexpected;
in the right season, this is best flower-place in the reserve, but not today.
No fields of poppies, lupine or owl's clover. Pshaw
I am becoming convinced that the prolonged spring wetness of the last two years might actually have been a deterrent to super blooms, at least in this area.
The canyon is beautiful even without the added color, however
Above the creek, there are a few owl's clover after all
A nice photo-op
Looking down at the Sacramento Valley
Down the trail a ways is the next waterfall on the route. In the past, I always had scrambled down for a closeup view; but continuing down here actually provides a better view.
Beatson Falls
A broader perspective
From this point, a difficult segment of trail leads directly up the steep hillside; but I have a better idea. Retracing our steps a few hundred yards provides a much easier access to the hilltop.
Allen poses prettily
A big meadow needs to be crossed
As late as five years ago, I had negotiated the entire four miles of this back loop
more than once without encountering another hiker; but now there is an actual trail to
follow, and today there are literally dozens of hikers on it. Pleasing though it
is that so many more folk now are choosing to recreate outdoors, I long for the olden
days of exploration and route-finding.
The best that can be done now is to traverse the mile-wide meadow cross-country
while remaining out of sight of the trail.
Starting down into the ravine
Purple Nightshade
Redbud
I had promised my guys a snack break at the next waterfall, and here we are.
Lower Ravine Falls
They didn't bring any snacks. Go figure
But that's their problem. I much my tiny bag of nuts anyway.
Silver Lupine
Cows Clover
Today, many of my photographs are hopelessly over-exposed. Having had another recent difficult with this camera, I still am unsure as to whether it is healthy.
Poached Egg Plant -aka- Douglas's Meadowfoam
Broadleaf Filaree
After a steep climb out the the ravine, it is a cakewalk along the rim of Coal Canyon to the principal viewpoints of the day, including Little Phantom Falls, which frequently runs dry by this time. My photo of it is not worth sharing.
Phantom Falls
The dozen hikers at the brink of the falls do not enhance the view.
⇔
Perhaps the best viewpoint of all
Starting back across the fields of gold
This is not why I go hiking
From here, the usual cross-country option enables a visit to the prettiest spot on the remainder of the walk, which is missed by most.
"Meadowfoam Channel"
Avoiding the teeming throngs
Desert Rockpurslane
Spearleaf Stonecrop
Approaching the gorge again
Ravine Falls
The obligatory descent is rough going, and Walter's feet are hurting some; so this section is negotiated slowly. This gives me time for more visits with my floral friends.
California Poppy
Miner's Lettuce
Bird's-eye Gilia
Red Larkspur
At the bottom of the ravine is the ever special grotto.
A different view of Ravine Falls
Out of focus, but having a good time
Getting out of the canyon is much easier going
Upper Ravine Falls
There are dozens of hikers on the old (easier) route through here, which has been
fenced off for decades and officially off-limits for the last several years.
Perhaps some group had made an arrangement with the ranch owner, but I doubt it.
Gold Moss Stonecrop
Virginia Pepperweed and Redstem Stork's Bill
Two views of a Wild Garlic
All those people are coming this way, even in later afternoon
Allen remarks that the only wildlife in evidence is cows, and they aren't even
wild. I quip that I once saw a couple of grasshoppers around here —
a comment that would prove prophetic.
Last water show of the day
For the remaining mile, I opt for us to stay on the trail in deference to Walter's sore feet. This proves a huge mistake, and shame on me for not remembering how awful the new route is for the rest of the way.
Rough going back on the hillside
I'll never again utilize that section of trail; bypassing it is so easy.
At the trailhead, the cars are lined up for half a mile ⇔
§: Well, my companions were highly pleased with what they saw today,
and that is what matters most. Seven waterfalls and lots of color make any hike
a special treat, despite what was by far the biggest crowd I have encountered
here.
And even though I've been here more than a dozen times, I will continue to return every spring for as long as I remain able to do so — on weekdays if possible.
Finally, look again at the photo of the Gold Moss Stonecrop. Albeit somewhat blurry, near the top of the picture can be seen — you guessed it — a grasshopper!
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality | |
| Flowers | |
