Ventana Wilderness - 2001.04.20 photos (page 2)

Wildfire of 1999

The wildfire of 1999 was fierce through this part of the wilderness. However, the area is quickly recovering, and it's a great time to visit the area to see nature heal itself. The trail is very faint along the ridgeline.

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Marble Marker

Very few hikers travel this route, and the forest service lacks funds to maintain the trails and signs. Therefore, map reading skills are required to stay oriented. This marble rock is the only "marker" identifying the trail junction to Upper Bee Camp.

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Upper Bee Camp

Upper Bee camp doesn't see much use. An old rusty stove (probably used by hunters) identifies the camp.

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Upper Bee Camp

Upper Bee camp is at the junction of several creeks. It's very lush at this time of year.

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Frogs kept up a happy racket

The sound of the burbling water was pleasant, especially at night. Frogs kept up a happy racket, one of my favorite backcountry sounds.

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Bivy Bag

When I backpack solo in the Ventana Wilderness, I usually bring a bivy bag instead of a tent. It weighs a fraction of a small tent, sets up in a jiffy, and provides just as much protection from the elements.

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Fog Arrives

On Wednesday, the third day of the trip, the weather changed from sunny and warm to foggy and cool. Here you can see the fog blowing in off the ocean, over the ridge.

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Lower Bee Camp

Here's a trail marker to semi abandoned Lower Bee Camp. The marker isn't much more than a dog tag attached to a small rock with rusty bailing wire.

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Trail to Lower Bee Camp

The trail to Lower Bee Camp follows a small stream bed. The fire damaged landscape, coupled with the fog, was wonderfully spooky.

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Haunted Forest

The 1999 fire left many tree skeletons. In the fog they have a "haunted forest" feel to them.

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Lupine

The fog coated every flower with many small drops of water, making them sparkle.

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Time to Leave

On Thursday night, Zeus unleashed a tremendous storm of rain, hail, and sleet, which continued all day Friday. I accepted this invitation to leave the mountain, and broke camp at dawn Friday and hiked back down to Big Sur station. The wind on the ridge tops was impressive, with horizontal rain and hail/sleet.

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