On Sunday D. and I returned to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to try and find the wonderful views the park brochure alluded to. We began at another trailhead farther south. We both took some pics. Here's mine first.
The trail begins in pine, oak, and madrone woodlands.
Soon we begin to see views of the neighboring ridges.
It is hot and dry.
We arrive at a lookout point and enjoy the view all the way to the fog bank over the Pacific.
Portions of Portola Redwoods State Park, Pescadero Creek County Park, Sam McDonald County Park, Memorial County Park, and the upper reaches of Butano Park are visible.
Not a trail.
The trail alternately winds through shady forested patches and stretches of hot, sunny grasslands.
View to the west.
Trail goes up.
More trail.
The view from another lookout with a memorial bench dedicated to Wallace Stegner, the award-winning novelist, environmentalist and strong advocate of land protection for pubic enjoyment. Stegner and his wife Mary helped local groups to preserve the land that became Long Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Taking a different route on our way out, we see part of the campground at the Jikoji Zen Center Retreat just beyond the preserve's boundary along Peters Creek.
A massive madrone root almost engulfs this rock.
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And here are D.' pics.
Poison oak is everywhere.
A spider has its web in the shade.
Puffball of Large-Flowered Agoseris, also known as California dandelion.
We begin our way to Long Ridge Road trail.
The trail goes along hot, dry hillsides.
A memorial bench at a lookout spot.
One of the few poppies still in bloom this time of year.
View to the west and the fog bank over the Pacific.
Tinder-dry grasses.
Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District rangers on patrol.
Have I mentioned there is a lot of dry grass here?
Another memorial bench farther along the trail.
Wallace Stegner Memorial Bench.
A view to the southwest.
Grass.
Wild rose hips on the Ward Road Trail.
Shady woodsy section of trail.
Paper wasp nest, an odd thing to find on the dusty trail.
A bauble at the boundary of the Jikoji Zen Center Retreat.
One of the tents at the Jikoji campground.
Massive madrone root engulfing rock.
A small pool in Peters Creek, close to its source.
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