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The trailhead begins at the Upper Oso Campground at the end of Paradise Road. The trail follows Santa Cruz Creek for 2 miles then climbs abruptly for 4+ miles on very steep switchback trails to the summit. Ralph Battles organized and led the hike on a clear and brisk February day and was joined by Jay, Harvey, Danielle, Gary, Bob and Geno. |
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| The 12+ mile roundtrip hike, with nearly 4,000' of elevation gain, is rated 4½ out of 5 boots in our hiking book. It is one long, relentless uphill. | |
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| First of three crossings of Santa Cruz Creek -- our destination is way up on top of the ridgeline | Very dramatic up-lifted strata and outcroppings on the mountain sides |
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| Ralph leads the way across an exposed escarpment | |
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| A narrow trail crosses the face of a sheer dropoff | |
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| About halfway with the top in sight on the far right of ridgeline | |
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| A well-maintained trail traverses the south-facing slope | |
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| Crossing a sloping meadow about a mile below the summit | |
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| Vestiges of Yuccas line the trail -- the denuded stalk leaves gull-like markings on yucca at right | ||
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| Looking down Santa Cruz canyon where we started | Taking a break at the hitching post before the final assault |
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| Heady views of the San Rafael range | The last half-mile is very steep and challenging |
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| Crossing a snowfield | Jay holds a Coulter pinecone |
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| Way off in the distance is Lake Cachuma | |
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| The top in sight | |
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| Obligatory summit photo -- from left, Ralph, Geno, Bob, Jay, Danielle, Gary, and Harvey (kneeling) | |
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| A giant Coast Live Oak and grove of Coulter Pines cover the top of Pine Mountain | |
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| To the west are the ocean and the Channel Islands | |
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| A large Coulter Pine and a "Gail Devers" pinecone | |
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| Fallen Coulter pinecones | Headin' back down after lunch at the top |
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