Ventana Wilderness to Reopen May 1

Time to head back to the woods!

The Forest Service is silent, of course, but reliable sources report that the currently closed portion of the Los Padres National Forest (which includes the Ventana Wilderness) is set to reopen on May 1.

A Visit to La Cueva Pintada

The army hasn’t allowed the public to visit La Cueva Pintada (on Fort Hunter Liggett) in something like 10 years, so when the San Antonio Valley Historical Association succeeded in navigating the bureaucratic maze and getting permission for a public tour a lot of people jumped at the opportunity.

Forest Service Website Hacked

We’ve heard from some people wondering why our links to the Los Padres National Forest Current Conditions page and other Forest Service pages aren’t working. The reason appears to be that the Forest Service has been victimized by hackers

Fire Near Pfeiffer Beach

6:45PM April 19, 2009

It’s been a hot day and, sure enough, the CHP is receiving reports of a fire burning near Pfeiffer Beach. Firefighters and air support are reported to be on the way ….

Garland Park Wildflowers

Here’s a little of what we saw today ….

Sky Lupine (Lupinus nanus) and Coast Goldfields (Lasthenia californica) share a meadow.

Charges Against MIRA Caretaker Dropped

The Monterey County District Attorney has dropped all charges against Ivan Eberle, the caretaker at the MIRA observatory on Chews Ridge. Eberle had been charged with battery on a firefighter and interference with a firefighter in the line of duty (see earlier post for details).

Public Officials Endure Fort Ord Dunes State Park Grand Opening

The Ribbon Cutting – Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado tries to wipe the sand out of his eyes while Supervisors Dave Potter and Jane Parker grin and bear it. As a squadron of other dignitaries attempt to form a wind break, California State Parks Director Ruth Coleman and Representative Sam Farr attack the ribbon with scissors big and small.

Debris Flow in Pfeiffer Creek Closes Highway

10:00PM April 7

Today’s rain set off a debris flow in Pfeiffer Creek. The flow may have put some water into the Big Sur Lodge. The highway is completely blocked and is expected to remain closed until sometime tomorrow. The Big Sur CATS site has posted some pictures.

Pinnacles Wildflowers

The sun is out and the flowers are blooming at Pinnacles National Monument.

Here’s a little of what we saw today …

This is a field of Tufted Poppies (Eschscholzia caespitosa).

(For a closer look, click on a picture to bring up a higher resolution image, then use your browser to zoom in)

9 Months After the Fire – Photos Taken When the Ground was Hot Compared to Photos Taken Yesterday

Stinging Lupine (Lupinus hirsutissimus) becomes the first plant to recolonize a severely burned slope.