Loch Levin photos, Cisco Grove, CA
After seeing greenman28's hike photos, I decided this would be a good stopping point along my cross country drive. The beauty of the conifers was enhanced since I came off 2 days of driving through mostly treeless plains and desert in my Michigan to San Francisco journey. Josh, I didn't get very far before losing the trail. Never reached the train track. But I greatly enjoyed the area and the side wanderings I took.
Trailhead: The snow made for some slippery hiking on the rocks. Two knuckle scrapes were the only injuries.
From California 2009
How did this tree ever grow at all? And how long has it been dead?
From California 2009
There were great views everywhere I looked.
From California 2009
Never saw a cone like this in Michigan! I have my guess at its ID. What's the expert's ID? It came from a pine with long needles in bundles of 3.
From California 2009
What a will to survive!
From California 2009
Not sure how much longer the above tree will last. Here's the top of it with green needles on some branch tips.
From California 2009
An early wrong turn brought me to this relic from the past. Looks like the fencing has been there a long time.
From California 2009
Snow from the branches above was melting and drifting down as a mist backlighted by the sun as I hiked through this splendid grove. I could not find the trail on the uphill side so I spent quite abit of time wandering around this special place and looking for alternative routes. Finally, I admitted defeat and headed back to the car with some extra time to snap a few more pictures.
From California 2009
Interesting growth showed up on many of the trees.
From California 2009
From California 2009
From California 2009
I've no idea what conifer this is. Help, please!
From California 2009
The next generation:
From California 2009
From California 2009
From California 2009
Life at the top:
From California 2009
From California 2009
The only "loch" along my route. Oh, well, it was fantastic, anyway!
From California 2009
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
pineresin
gardener365
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
naturegirl_2007 5B SW MichiganOriginal Author
sluice