MudNCrud Forums
Sitting and Day Dreaming => Mud Puddle => Topic started by: JC w KC redux on December 03, 2023, 04:28:59 PM
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We took a short trip to Carrizo Plain National Monument for Thanksgiving. I talked about this area for years in my geology classes, so it was cool to finally see it. It was better than I imagined.
The afternoon we arrived we went exploring and hiked a no-name trail from the campground up to the road that leads to the Caliente Ridge Trail trailhead. We hiked up the road a bit until we had a great view.
In this picture you can see from near to far - Selby campground, Selby Rocks, the Carrizo Plain and the Temblor Range.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcZJWBfHraVR0gam6raLNLUJeUrKwPyjODsJw7T5MomaTMJxdIDQgU7CNFYOThwNjS8B0IEMVODPbpnIP6EovyqCFwP4hfSEuctws46Tdfgk0q6hoTKxtrdjlUHtIZh2OLuZXPEf4NMF5zch_Q6nLGK=w464-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Here is a zoomed view to the left of the previous photo showing the vast majority of Soda Lake and in the foreground – the road up to camp and Painted Rock
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHel7WsDiCkAniAHFPETz6fWyYXDzfjJdvr6Pjg_rBkhksehUut7sR5tk4khzEvuF2kvmxkr1HVVB9Jmw4Q2RI4hyTfIjrH8hU8Yzttpw4TvM4VWyFBm3p6p9_6E3zkbz5NooKIYRu1JCMcOmnqDHmq5=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Someone from Idaho had this custom truck camper in one of the dispersed sites along the road - so their views were the same as what you just saw – just bigger (360 degrees and unobstructed). No one there to talk to but the rig looked all electric (solar panel on top and on the front wedge-over) with a custom fabricated swing-away rack on the back.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHehPrEw-T0TGqSjZG0S6CDA7LSqR8wvq7pu9zzBtOERXIE3hzODAvGe74Y6yCAIFwNp3aGTIFKovqCselfXiazrT-zt7dhgmNup_f-Xl7dmK5x0MN2n79magVWlYaV8pmXD8HLZfVB_pvSOyTPbcX6e=w899-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Carol and Kat heading back down with a little tidbit of the Caliente Range and Soda Lake in the background
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHeohAoBRK7OS16FVEN2-vJQWUClwvrYoZ2efCNa0LePV3aHwG-F6WVFgh0t_25Ny9-gGrnHMxPoX9Cb1RV381YAB8CAPoXwkhlAe8b2_oZI-rhamkglhMTDQhQ9ixXj5uP4dJ_IVoXs-aAUwncu0DqR=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
On day 2 we decided to take the mountain bikes to Painted Rock. The ride was much easier than anticipated and made for a fun day. Here is the front side of the rock up close. It’s a pretty crappy sandstone – what I would expect in the Coast Ranges
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHf-bwfMpBSexnAAmv75wvfQZL7I7yBrJ_6_E1E5iIPWuVehMEJ0_9kCcpoohkscZ4K0AhmIS_d3aLXZBlPKu1w5lf0wkxajR14h9Ogo5E7hy0dThpOdXAXvrhZWmSy-4pk7dGMcaV55odglxxihmeVg=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
I immediately hiked around back to see a man about a horse and also to see if there was an easy way up. There was and I was up top in short order. When Kat, John and Carol came around they opted not to come up. This picture shows me sitting on top and the entrance to the main alcove between the two summits.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcKS8y59N8LnUkTxb53Ufna650IEeBv_kv0QX8y-R-v8ZqU0uDrObDUeMCCLpQ9uB1rE2ab6HHLYeVsdjcX5mRvNKaSDUL6gp4IthxUrJT4wuaSgxHPl52vr8MI_D2bXXKcbwQAwe7KZAqmHGsXsyH2=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
My view from up top looking down the scramble. The rock was pretty featured and well-worn with some linear dikes. You can see Kat on the left and John starting into the entrance for the alcove.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHeBJ5w-IndOf5Go6M415-LPgTmweSlTQAbtGOLzZsxln7R-tC9c4pQII6XXbI7kSpvgy_s6QwlCsLGaJCRz4pMTn2iu1wCXtrtlGPcUm-RSxE-lxDVCAcnZD4x9zvVF8wPITDQFz1zGCwz4sHKuuK0Y=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Here’s one of me starting the descent.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd2zvoLldmVLRlg0QJ-7RqqmgI_vNfGK_aqHQGpSXoCLkiRpEzr4e9GeT_cK96oV7CrzecSDi7vD_FWra50lBpFrRURcWKDl6HjdDegNhgRkEJVbjFw3Y7eyGs1pUz-A1UKkwJejMqz2_Pgi5OCOT4H=w464-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
We couldn’t tell if any of the “art” in the alcove was genuine. It looked like Beavis and Butthead may have been tribal members and compared to other rock art we’ve seen we suspected it was all vandalized. There were a few old initials.
One from 1885
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHf2tfT3e7-k_FwEj5fO30F-xvHrLMzMgKIRmj_wtyySHnBmkIRhFdWmJP9Mc5Ts9TX97-_0HQTJaa2zFc-p2VMiX9EwFREu_nHxNPsotmUxsaFd3DzGzEGhKQm7gzvCl5jeEm6a6FSM_SH2EU29XUZL=w1021-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Iron concretions
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHc4CixYq-v8eNC9o3RpfyWyjm7-jiblRpMtFh94-D6mkIdJX9HxUvoMsqzjBlEjEIOFU-umrJCsmrCCo88FN2V77br71J9jaIIhElwmQXC6ZE7AaTJ8ZEj9c_fHjZkqc1g9qckHzZAOJwCIsLmW5JYw=w818-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
A nice snack spot in the front (out of the wind and nice and sunny). Carol John and Kat at the base.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdLLXugCR2Po2oEy57XDhcBAt4bu-ZIhVmGN8XI6jfq_olVR99WWP7qCCftXyyVaPS4jYFBG2yAFE9iQrV45SpfH0Aqyftf5GjCe3AaEr98opuNQR9eCKQSbJX_-wIYWrBGSfBP1ODZeL77IT9NesdG=w638-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
And a small arch not far from there
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHegHVv-rW3x1Iy6suLgvlGEmgON5aPt5kaw4Bjo4f-SLsdg0WmqmfPFTOISFUjKDMxaZ9bNMyhu5cZ-ybPS0fzyRBnN_rKi_eZ0YYHH1lGj9zrC74UGAUnSs7DPWzHtI2yt5l25aj0GeWEfXXUxEhi5=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
The ride there was a lot of downhill and we were wondering about the ride back. It turned out to be a mix of up and down with just a few granny gear sections - so we just took our time and it all worked out fine. About 9 miles for the day. 300 feet of gain there and almost 600 on the return.
Day 3 we decided to take a short hike down the road to Selby Rocks and look for art and maybe do a bit of scrambling. The rock quality was lousy (too soft and friable) so the scrambling was minimal. I bouldered up a few small things but didn’t want to chance it with the slabs (or downclimb).
Carol and Kat approaching Selby Rocks
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfpDeIiebRyllhdmJkP-6HGGAemu5ZVhlrG6ZQfpmC1d8Z8HkUopnC2FCIlqYw_5aWDQU3gw9ZgnrtyruwMg0-i_cZ7iOVSbnPi4bjDBXgUaBFnLgfY9OXICSzA3pIvgTZxFn-JAqriNu8z-INDP28H=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Spied this cool nest almost at the top of one of the slab backsides – thought Gavin might like it
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcfn1c-s8hC0sj7Afu7QXP9dzThm9Tbd7mtJGFU0XcEaFlkqyKEfmc-UkmYvK4sLglqYlx9b8I2vRX84Kbj8j1nwWDF5S7ZmoXFgIcnpUj80lVVNCQ_k_0dm0g5hSVKdmY41Xmxfvhi3dLR51ny32ao=w577-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Great tafoni-style weathering on the backside
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfjgANmPdD9jM8A1wpWQUx3_flPNbiHcpwfIakqCTYWuwnx5nAmE0uBAYNcrHhTjon9Jy0DN4F-donB9tljp52tksj03G_XCc2FURLWXZSm6JSDsRoQWSQ4-M_chYNETvUE5PZpRnhtczJactGKeE6F=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Concretion bowl on top of one of the slabs
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcJyL-v4Zps37k1ffx0DapX7i0FgBGc7F8ilWyJov2p1gxrJUk-KA9cq85ThhKpq-sB84XFOW0lPcqHOG_20h2EEZGtIY-A6WYPtQWvy2V1xYgkugm3qUcjQ9egf0rtmbe3d2vmxb4bCNzrdKG8qqz1=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Figured this was safe since you can’t fall out of a chimney :ihih:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdZqMjbE16Se6eHupPSS9FCPnsmoWh35I2nzKMesnUiFqZgNMtHFcsz_92kHZ3A018tTn5yX1DptDsVyPwwAFrlmO8ZoKUmlRSdppouHh0wjyiGzCaydzzk0_8vmA0OMGMba6EzAaD7H1RjQGNjg2Xc=w464-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Tons of hominy holes
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcErjMRKpWVepnKDNZbbrm7juuD-LmQ8ZpXoVVPIxyikwzXqIRnin4HY6wIERjJQiTYXP9C-piLqwatyk12FALeRXhtxXGwbexoK-gSXrpo5_BUT60JI6dCIYyb74YMX155dLf3oO91yf3JUC165-12=w655-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Looking back at the top section of the biggest slab
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfauGCDscI51za_TzNpu_BTjwUjBIFk2nrCrUqjcgnROJBtjaTK8-6tjo13RBjGwhU6C7ZKEsDaXykGrBMz-O7QPkr8TqotTzuN6DCvttkUKAYDvxDu9hxja68j0ezIUIbivJzAZTJSq_2yeQt02pKF=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Visitor back at camp
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcIJstjSgawy1R2OQWmPonNTuUqv-n4jVPPIJNA-D8Y9FT3I-FBo0xSwQVHAI5l3g2XbMexhfTW2FlTls_XU-ulCAhmCg9sLKNB5vREQhhUNCPiZX0r4pS1EdzHv_8ZDjKQMck4JB3K0ofuVag4RVzr=w568-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Day 4 we packed up and drove to Wallace Creek to see (and walk along) the famous offset channel/fault trace and then on to a winery for the night followed by a hike up Rinconada Trail to Bell Mountain’s summit.
Here’s a couple pictures to set up the ones we took. The first is from Google Earth and shows the parking area below the Wallace Creek label (triangular patch where the road and the trails meet). The interpretive trail follows the fault trace to the left and to the right). In addition to the major offset along Wallace Creek, you’ll see some more offsets to the left and to the right. Interestingly, there is a continuous channel on the far left that is a very young feature (too young to show any obvious offset). Wallace Creek has been dated at about 3800 years and provides a great marker for measuring long-term slip rates along the fault.
You may notice and wonder why the stream channels are so much more noticeable in their upper reaches. It’s because the terrain is fairly steep on that side of the fault (fault scarp). When the channels transition from the fault scarp to the plain, the downcutting is relatively minor in comparison. It was super fun to see all this in person, walk along the trace and the scarp and stand on the plate boundary. There aren’t many places in the world where you can do something like this (and no – I don’t have a list!)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdElAO4pptAiWn5O_rBiD7ObQXqgXTtZVeRgWDYjOMBB8FpFf0Ni4eDuYPtEXTsA696fzJBaGhpulqJH5OXkyDpolyNJ6-3kiWNLzSVoNDEMHV2YWnTFYyeaPezTReA9SuFEa04qKsq3kwqym0sRy-Q=w991-h452-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Here is an aerial shot (in the same orientation) that I used to show in my lectures. I like the color and the shading. It’s easy to see the change in relief from the scarp to the plain, the offset portion and the trace of the fault.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdhvlGPKX7PQf3CLqZCD1v6aPHeyvnoXeH8qfa9SNQb039rInuvW384Rec16ivv-XqqIlQmyO3p4uDi5AonC8HTJri2lAE56v27pvICQtrmpnU3giLCtJoTWWJlR4PtZKW73YVvwFC1A1n5NZIVS7LC=w804-h588-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Looking along the trace (the channel) from the far-left end of the interpretive trail. The scarp (on the left) is eroded by the stream and untouched (straight ahead) with a lone hiker for scale. There is also a slight bend in the fault (accounting for offset of the portion straight ahead). Can you tell I love this stuff?
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHeCYz7_UtETboCNMKJD3vLiJO_SgUa_GAeo5l946D_WQo_sVr9rIOFZ0njd9H6fiEVXBN5AaKwBUuoT7V7VTPWTqX-iKLm8-jY-xLVP-n_BHggnVL6-_KP-n79U6cvPvjiAKDpdrcNV6Bss7DTLneWc=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
John and me pretending to stand on adjacent tectonic plates (me on the North American plate and him on the Pacific plate).
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcE3xKTk18mFKWlUjlQb5TjHOmja1f7JW_uCiSFcKqKQZhVrVP9bN0guBLVkZbso_wPzvmNN_IJHp-o_NFx5Hnep2AE9qZ2hU8igVq4SKPzUuZf0exDgs2A4tLBs5PMWMxRSW29ozF7HGm3K9Ab5p6k=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
After hiking along the rest of the trail, we got back on the road and drove to the winery for the afternoon/evening.
The next morning, we packed up and drove to the Rinconada trailhead.
Hiking along the trail I was treated to lots of cool metamorphic rocks (Fransciscan Melange). After a nice hike, a short scramble led to the summit with amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding Los Padres forest and the Santa Lucia Mountains (among others). We also got to see the old workings of a small mercury mine not far from parking.
Bell Mountain
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHejZdk_KuEoCZSIYqFyJB8ULZTpjHrwxIzYEkf6J0B3YXpu3hNL_Hue6ax2d_8PP1nNz3qN4_zQqarqbOTRK_nTze9qGq6gCbj526ihIrriFzLrm9wK_eX9VJxMDGlRF7U1RDcM-avrEMl-s63DjOy0=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Chupacabra tracks on the trail (clink needs to show this to Johnny) :thumbup: :yesnod: :devildevil:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHc7GJ9FOtUXTgsxGh1IgofFjtiJ8hhCN3-6DVuTZHNGvr8w1rYLwdNZSa3ERzIXS0t2SUoP24kVjBenILoGzueW51R2PuWMAANPhsrSGzMAqYRdWlIwzBVTBX0IQb8AqXOaN_T0dFlxEdXfwgcPZYrB=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Heading up the summit trail through serpentinite
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfHlybjYZGqqSAdV9WF4F9gxMRW3mJlTVAVOBZH44zJ7-GrheCSRMgP8gTsKFuux1pO6VdIw452igOFJzHXlIS9NNBmoAlS1qdvqiPWtJ0MowUTW5p7fRgPf8cTX1jdFxcI07Yj88mFLsVoIY6lWdRp=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Summit block in sight
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdkc_p6KfsH42gvfMxapIAJNlYIOZsGYKJggEg13PQfWj2nk46X_DYKx4RMVcVt_SIsTLUq27YitoJ1Wn1-MkpqdHLyRl-ZAl2nWx4Uc0xnYwjdQCX41MUFuxpvNzNDH-Sq3d1UOxt-BgFcAFClQzdB=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Kat took the lead on the summit block scramble
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHekAm8QdHqIcFQJxEmzeQozEIcW-k5RBhmTd7UkV16b7lI6aPMJFw2q6ylGNaFFcHBv5ZEhiZHstwqaPIqhvTP0EHOgDviwkTcggx6-W2UP7ud0hX_SGiiwHqafS0x6-S52ASxmEvISpDvLnC7KQoOg=w464-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Summit goodness. The summit is all greenstone (old seafloor basalts metamorphosed)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd06Yob49Y6vaYPzzjl0atLMAS-Ik_0-FL6RUuEHb6fFCHg74T2m4VQs07XrMgzOlpjSNp_TzhhB6TvuHkzwfAZcWKLclDcYCYiuPKNpJIiwqqdDsDL60NR0GQYKtP9XaPqNunAc5LKmiO8aQx1equN=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
I took a bunch of photos at the summit but none of them did it justice. This was my top pick.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHfkDVhKVGkIsB0pkoo01iPWNvQkSmBZqv_Ie-YkywF6aMMRY5sTX4C8yigBrpTzWnCnvtEdFsm3tLPX4ECCIhWFB3kha8Z1phyaUl1l04l95mu4BYJhCLde2izvolYFc4j9Vg9zkGZC4_cC3e8HECqd=w825-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
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...Iron concretions.
BOLTS!!!!
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Figured this was safe since you can’t fall out of a chimney :ihih:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHdZqMjbE16Se6eHupPSS9FCPnsmoWh35I2nzKMesnUiFqZgNMtHFcsz_92kHZ3A018tTn5yX1DptDsVyPwwAFrlmO8ZoKUmlRSdppouHh0wjyiGzCaydzzk0_8vmA0OMGMba6EzAaD7H1RjQGNjg2Xc=w464-h619-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Glad you haven't lost your sense of humor ;D
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Cool trip. Like those tafoni formations Saw a video recently of a bike race in that area. See any other campers?
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Cool trip. Like those tafoni formations Saw a video recently of a bike race in that area. See any other campers?
All the sandstone had tons of tafoni. A few stick nests and lots of bird poop in cavities. We saw a couple hawks flying around and quite a few big blackbirds. .
One guy for one night. One lady for all the nights (still there when we left). A man and a lady for all but one night. Very quiet.
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We spent the day doing something "local" yesterday.
Garland Ranch is nestled in the Carmel Valley less than an hour's drive from our house.
Steep trails (15% grades in some spots) with few switchbacks lead to panoramic Snively Ridge.
From there you can hike to a Fire Tower along an unmaintained trail or just chill and take in sweeping views of the Carmel and Salinas Valleys and Monterey Bay. Pictures don't do it justice.
It doesn't suck.
Looking along the ridge to the Fire Tower
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV86dMc-PPyAdWa3ygEm9NoQ-0vT1u0MJrJ-CRb4Zq9sl6PjxaMU92_z7q-pzYkGaqTRrN1DwpK4dW43ETfv5K4-fVcnsN0HfeT-Uva8pHQxHoap1GKBb_q__zEu5Zeu4EhILd7Ki98ihs7rWZNz2m8wt=w797-h598-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
Lunch spot overlooking Monterey Bay
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ABLVV84UBve0bBSSqZlWipDLeyCqEbh1L9BfNO6hvCfhgWPuhUDKh3Z8cPPcLBjsdYKZKsa5EYWMF3wiqNjlP2Xyflm_lyse20JHeW5iEhuLwfyOh0Rlgr6HrESPWDjzqJmeQJedFcHGaTXuHOuVPOMcwfj-=w797-h598-s-no-gm?authuser=0)
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Looks nice, do you know the mileage to the lookout?
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^
Not enough for you to get "worked" but it's well worth a visit. Maybe 8 or 9 miles round trip. There are 60 miles of trails in the park and a lot of loops. We did 6.7 miles with 2000 feet of elevation gain according to Kat's giant watch. Kinda surprised you haven't been there.