T-hacha-P
Observer
Early spring is beautiful in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. I was there last year at this time, and I knew I had to go back. My plan was originally to go up with a small group and do some pig hunting. As so often happens, fate had a different idea. The group ended up being much larger, and much less prepared, than I expected. Nevertheless, I made the best of it and tried to shepherd the newcomers in our group through the experience with a minimum of disaster. In that respect, this was a successful trip, but I think someone owes me $20 for a pig tag.
Friday began with a beautiful drive up the 33 (the scenic route only being an extra 10 minutes.) We saw almost no other vehicles, but did see two seasonal waterfalls springing out of the cliffs. When we arrived at Carrizo, KCL camp seemed full, so we went to Selby, which was, strangely, more full. Because there were two women with us who really, really wanted a bathroom of some sort, we decided to forgo primitive camping and check KCL again. Luckily, we had overlooked a site, or someone left, and we quickly pitched camp.
Saturday began with a walk through the surrounding fields with the dog—
the wildflowers were in full bloom.
In the afternoon we checked out Soda Lake,
then took the road towards Caliente peak.
Narrow and steep in places, with lots of blind corners, but nothing a normal passenger car couldn’t handle. Once again, flowers everywhere and stunning views of Soda Lake …
and Cuyama valley.
After that, we quickly ducked into Los Padres for a little shooting.
Sunday-the predicted weather moved in. After a sleepless night spent wrestling with rainflys and wringing out sleeping bags, the consensus was to escape, tails between legs, at first light. My reasons for this decision were varied: a concern about the roads turning to soup, as it had been raining now for six or seven hours; the lack of sleep; the relative inexperience of several members of the party; and my sudden, intense desire to be out of the wind and the rain.
Obligatory picture of the truck in the pouring rain with sign reading “Impassible in wet weather.”
Lots of other ExPo people were there, and they have some great pictures here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24718
Friday began with a beautiful drive up the 33 (the scenic route only being an extra 10 minutes.) We saw almost no other vehicles, but did see two seasonal waterfalls springing out of the cliffs. When we arrived at Carrizo, KCL camp seemed full, so we went to Selby, which was, strangely, more full. Because there were two women with us who really, really wanted a bathroom of some sort, we decided to forgo primitive camping and check KCL again. Luckily, we had overlooked a site, or someone left, and we quickly pitched camp.
Saturday began with a walk through the surrounding fields with the dog—
the wildflowers were in full bloom.
In the afternoon we checked out Soda Lake,
then took the road towards Caliente peak.
Narrow and steep in places, with lots of blind corners, but nothing a normal passenger car couldn’t handle. Once again, flowers everywhere and stunning views of Soda Lake …
and Cuyama valley.
After that, we quickly ducked into Los Padres for a little shooting.
Sunday-the predicted weather moved in. After a sleepless night spent wrestling with rainflys and wringing out sleeping bags, the consensus was to escape, tails between legs, at first light. My reasons for this decision were varied: a concern about the roads turning to soup, as it had been raining now for six or seven hours; the lack of sleep; the relative inexperience of several members of the party; and my sudden, intense desire to be out of the wind and the rain.
Obligatory picture of the truck in the pouring rain with sign reading “Impassible in wet weather.”
Lots of other ExPo people were there, and they have some great pictures here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24718
