This gate is typically locked when the quarry is closed. |
This warning is a multi-decadal joke intended to keep unwanted swimmers and fishers out of this pond with a nonsense chemical name that sounds ominous. |
Because I took photos throughout this walk I was nearly always walking behind my buddy Mike. |
At this point the trail turns right where it used to proceed forward into the quarry proper. |
View of the diversionary path. |
At least there is shade along part of this diversion... |
...as well as plenty of unshaded stretches. |
At this point the trail diversion rejoins its original route turning right at this intersection. |
The experimental test plot of native vegetation continues to grow. |
This is the only part of the trail that still traverses any part of the original quarry zone. |
This creek is bone-dry and shows no recent evidence of the last time it ran with water. |
Praise God for the shady stretches on a hot day like today. |
And yet there are plenty of unshaded stretches of trail, too. |
This used to be the road bed for the primary road between Atascadero and Creston. |
There is profuse growth of chaparral in Rocky Canyon as this area has not burned in a long time. |
DO NOT veer to the right or you will end up out in heavy fuel beds of chaparral growing on low-flung hills. |
Bird nest |
The hippy commune property is all cleared of all signs of the neo-hippies who once had a commune on the property to the right. |
The Rainbow Ranch side of Rocky Canyon Road and Trail has a trailhead and road block. |
The view back west from the east side trailhead of Rocky Canyon Trail. |
Again, on a hot day like today such shady zones as this one are a godsend. |
The top (head) of Rocky Canyon with my buddy Mike about to plunge down into the canyon proper. |
This part of Rocky Canyon Trail is rather strenuous but does not last long. |
Below this spot is the wreck of an old car that went over the side back when this was the main road east to west in this area. |
Tequila was pooped by this point in the power walk. |
This riparian stretch of the path is a pleasure. |
Vernal pool |
Some late summer color is starting to manifest itself here. |
The quarry equipment detracts from the tranquility here but is rather interesting to observe in operation. |
My late paternal grandfather used to sell conveyor belt systems such as this to quarries and mines on behalf of Continental Conveyor. |
Even with the new diversion of the trail here there is plenty of quarry excitement to observe. |
Headed west one veers left at this point to follow the trail instead of straight forward as in the past. |
This part of the new trail route is fairly ugly. |
This stretch of newly diverted trail is rather bleak and unshady. |
The right-most structure there features a small collection of interesting mineral specimens which have been collected by employees at the quarry. |
The bleak and unshady sections of newly-diverted trail are offset by the riparian zones such as this one. |
Fresh gravel falling onto the new trail section: note in the distance where this path rejoins the original route. |
Dirt biker damage per usual at right. |
End of the trail and that was fine as far as Tequila was concerned. All photos by Kim Patrick Noyes (all rights reserved). |
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