Saturday, April 6, 2013

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

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Blooming ceanothus at the base of a Monterey cypress

Point Lobos, located just south of Carmel, is regarded by many as the "crown jewel" of the California state park system. After our recent visit to the park, I can see how one might come to that conclusion, especially on a warm Spring day when everything is bursting with fresh new growth and flowers.  The trails are well defined, relatively flat, and the views are outstanding. We hiked a loop that took us from Whaler's Cove, along the bluff to the Allen Memorial Cypress Grove, and finally to unprotected, wind-swept Sea Lion Point. Don't forget to pack a windbreaker. Some of what we saw along the trail:

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Iris (Iris douglasiana) and wood mint (Stachys bullata) a common site in shaded areas along trail
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Lots of life on the rocky cliffs of Point Lobos

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Old cypress with orange lace lichen
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Ceanothus in the foreground with Headland Cove and Sea Lion Point in the distance
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The windy bluff trail around Sea Lion Point


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The familiar coastal scrub palette that I love so much: sagebrush, coyote brush, lupines, seaside daisy and indian  paintbrush
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Looking south down the Big Sur coast

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