Sunday, May 17, 2009

Road Trip back to WA- The Redwoods!!!







big trees













huge snails


redwoods




banana slug






sweet view of the pacific where we actually spotted whales!






patricks point state beach









patricks point















check that out!














banana slug
















patricks point
















patricks point







patricks point















the tall tree 359.3 ft tall!











iris











patricks point
















patricks point

















i <3 the redwoods!







More NoFo







manzanita tree



































































a NoFo sunrise

Silverwood Lake, Hitch #4 in SoCal





Mt Baldie












volunteers retreading a section of trail





another view of mt. baldie






a very young yucca bloom.

Jalama County Beach







kite boarders were out in full force













this is what we saw as we drove into the park













heron













a lovely sunset, we actually camped on the beach here! it was amazing.













one more view of the beautiful beach.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Walker Pass front country spike








Thomas looking like a bad ass.












A timber retaining wall utilizing deadmen, cribbing and chainsaw notching.


view #1


view #2



Timber check steps put in to rid the trail of cupping formed by water eroding the trail.





beautiful j-tree




view from my tent. we spiked out at a dicommissioned BLM campground which left us with plenty of room to sprawl out from eachothers tents.







who knew boys could cook?
luke, wayne, baxter, and dan








and the lovely ladies
gwen, amy, marguerite and me








view from camp



McGrath State Beach...off days





A chilly sunset wine and cheese picnic on the beach.

from left: Amy, Wayne, Gwen, Thomas, me















Wayne on a driftwood structure.

















Amy ready to go exploring




Believe it or not Wayne and Gwen are actually standing in this hole. Everyone took a turn digging and the kids came in flocks to help fill in the sand.

Mission Creek our 8 day backcountry spike





Our volunteer pack train. I think there was something like 11 animals- horses, mules and three people. We hiked in about 6 miles to Mission Creek and the pack train took most of our food, tools and group gear! We only had to hike in our personal gear which saved our backs.















A view of the canyon. It was beautiful and Mission Creek ran through it, which provided a nice cool down after working in the desert sun all day.

















One of the big projects for the spike, a rock wall probably 30-40 feet long. Some of these boulders were 3 feet by 3 feet! Don't worry we use tools for moving these massive things (work smarter not harder is the motto)






















The canyon had been burned and flooded a few years ago. This is a cottonwood left standing.















Volunteer horse packers!