February 25, 2011
On January 1, 1980, Jeff Norman, then 29, moved into the Overstrom homestead, Alta Vista, in Big Sur. Overlooking the ocean from a 2,700-foot-high perch on Michael Ridge, and accessible only by trail, Alta Vista was an ideal location for observing and experiencing the beauty and power of the natural world. Jeff lived at Alta Vista until his death, at age 56, on October 31 2007. All structures associated with Alta Vista were burned to the ground eight months later in the Basin Complex Fire. Read the rest of this entry »
8 Comments | 
Big Sur, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse, Fungus, History, Insects, Plants, Santa Lucias | 
Permalink
Posted by xasauan
May 16, 2010
The Boronda Trail begins next to this debris flow barrier about half a mile south of the Coast Gallery. Read the rest of this entry »
12 Comments | Big Sur, On Foot, Plants, Santa Lucias, Wildflowers | Tagged: Big Sur Trail, Coast Ridge, Cold Springs, Logwood Creek, Logwood Ridge, Timbertop | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
May 9, 2010
When we visited the summit of Mt. Carmel (AKA Boulder Mtn.) two years ago, it seemed that the place had been forgotten and that all traces of the trail were destined to disappear into the brush. It hasn’t happened. Today, the climb from Bottcher’s Gap to Mt. Carmel has emerged as one of the most popular day hikes in the Ventana Wilderness (something we can easily see in the ever-increasing number of unwary net surfers who stumble onto this site by searching for “Mt. Carmel” or “Bottcher’s Gap to Mt. Carmel”). A summit register has even appeared!
When we visited again yesterday (May 8, 2010) we found a virtual parade of hikers lining the trail between Bottcher’s Gap and the summit. The trip seems especially popular among couples – and couples ranging in age from early twenties to late sixties were sweating their way up the hill.
Here’s a little of what we saw along the way …
A Canyon Oak (Quercus chrysolepis) blooms near Bottcher’s Gap. Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Big Sur, On Foot, Plants, Santa Lucias, Wildflowers | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
April 26, 2010
Blue Rock Ridge starts in Cachagua near the Los Padres Dam, quickly enters the Ventana Wilderness, and rises all the way to the Big Pines area at the headwaters of Danish Creek. But it’s not a smooth ascent. There’s a lot of up and down along the way. The “Big Box” fireline, created during the Marble Cone Fire and reopened twice since, runs along the top. It’s a great place for ticks, poison oak and, outside of the dozer scar, for wildflowers. Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | On Foot, Plants, Santa Lucias, Wildflowers | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
April 17, 2010
Garzas Creek flows through Garland Regional Park. We didn’t see any garzas today, but if you look carefully you’ll see a couple of patos.
Here’s some of what’s currently blooming in the Garzas Creek area … Read the rest of this entry »
4 Comments | On Foot, Plants, Santa Lucias, Wildflowers | Tagged: Carmel Valley wildflowers, Garland Park wildflowers | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Xasáuan Today 