Large patch of Monolopia.
the Ohlone and early Spanish settlers.
for position to feed on a Monolopia wildflower.
on ridge at far left (edge of Paintbrush Hill).
Coyote Ridge East April 2008 |
||||
|
|
| Hillside wildflowers above Anderson Reservoir. | |
|
|
| Burnt skeletons of numerous trees and shrubs. | |
|
|
| After a fire, wildflowers flourish. | |
|
|
| Hillisde covered with California Poppy, Gold Fields, Monolopia wildflowers. | |
|
|
| Dazzing display. | |
|
|
|
Large patch of Monolopia. |
|
|
|
| Decided to follow the trail to the ridge top. | |
|
|
| Trail follows the contours of the hillsides. | |
|
|
| Easy climbing with nice views of the surrounding foothills. | |
|
|
| View of Coyote Valley near Cochrane Avenue. Greenbelt no longer exists. | |
|
|
| Two levels to climb separated by shallow meadows. | |
|
|
| An old ranch road leads to the ridgetop. | |
|
|
| Cut across country, it's shorter. | |
|
|
| Broad, shallow valley, maybe a mile long. | |
|
|
| Fringe of chaparral on one side. | |
|
|
| Serpentine, gray pine on the other. | |
|
|
| Wildflowers here and there. | |
|
|
| Going west towards Paintbrush Hill. | |
|
|
| Very quiet. | |
|
|
| I imagine during early spring, there are large vernal pools in this meadow. | |
|
|
| Nearing the end of the meadow. | |
|
|
| Water trough for cattle. | |
|
|
| Passed through a screen of pines. | |
|
|
| Reached a fence within sight of Paintbrush Hill. | |
|
|
| View west. Far end of Anderson Reservoir in the distance. | |
|
|
| Sound of trickling water caught my attention. | |
|
|
| Seep Spring Monkeyflowers. | |
|
|
| Retracing my steps, going East again. | |
|
|
| Beautiful day. Had the entire ridge to ourselves. | |
|
|
| Back down through large areas of serpentine. | |
|
|
| A few Cream Cup wildflowers were still in bloom. | |
|
|
| Saw a few Tidy Tips too. | |
|
|
| Road on the right is Cochrane Ave. | |
|
|
| Lower meadow with Anderson Reservoir Dam in distance. | |
|
|
| Didn't see a "No Trespassing" sign anywhere. | |
|
|
| Shrubs on right are Yerba Santa. | |
|
|
| Yerba Santa leaves, flower nectar used by the Ohlone and early Spanish settlers. |
|
|
|
| Meant to revisit the area the following year. | |
|
|
| Never did. | |
|
|
| Not sure what the area looks like now. | |
|
|
| Yerba Santa in the foreground, Anderson dam & spillway in the distance. | |
|
|
| Entire slope covered with wildflowers. | |
|
|
| Hillsides above too. | |
|
|
| Pair of Variable Checkerspot butterflies jostle for position to feed on a Monolopia wildflower. |
|
|
|
| Nearing starting point of hike. | |
|
|
| Monolopia, one of my favorite late spring wildflowers. | |
|
|
| California Poppies, colorful Lichen on serpentine. | |
|
|
| Hike started at Anderson Dam at extreme right. | |
|
|
| Hike ended within sight of the lone tree on ridge at far left (edge of Paintbrush Hill). |
|
| Go to Coyote Ridge. | Return to Top. |