Day 2: Central Henry Coe day hike from Pacheco Camp, including Willow Ridge Road, Walsh Trail and Pacheco Ridge Road
I decide to stay camped at Pacheco Camp and do an afternoon hiking loop over White Tank Spring Trail, Willow Ridge Road, Center Flats Road, Walsh Trail and Pacheco Ridge Road.
I leave camp before 13h and return before 19h. 12.5 hiking miles with 2250 feet elevation gain (not including rollers).
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Date: September 01, 2008, 12h11
Size: 54 items
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Noon sunshine at Pacheco Camp with my tent hiding under the big oak tree on the left
I slept in late this morning (I am on vacation after all). After a camp breakfast of granola, tamari almonds, beef jerky, strong coffee, and dried apricots, I browse my maps to come up with a hiking route for the day.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h11
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The old cabin at Pacheco Camp is well-maintained, locked and used by the Park for special events
I heard (or read) somewhere that last year's huge brush fire came very close to here and that firefighters somehow managed to keep the fire from reaching the cabin area.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h42
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The metal fire pit near Pacheco Camp cabin sports an appropriate message for the hot-and-dry season
"No campfires please, thanx." Campers like me are still free to use their camp stoves.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h43
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The thermometer on the shady side of the shower building shows 80 degrees F
A pleasantly warm day that will feel warmer than that later this afternoon in the hot sun.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h43
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The Pacheco Spring tub is full of fresh water (and a few yellowjackets)
The water quality at Pacheco Spring is excellent. Instead of filtering water from the tub, I take water straight from the tap outside the shower building. The water is unfiltered, but tastes great and I haven't suffered any ill effects from it yet.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h44
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The old outhouse at Pacheco Camp (no longer used) sits near the more recent concrete outhouse a bit up the hill
The little four-pane window and board-and-batten exterior of this building match the style of the old cabin down below.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h47
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I finally start today's hike, first up White Tank Spring Trail, and pass this dormant hillside gooseberry (ribes californicum)
I have a couple of these prickly plants in my dry garden, which are green and covered with tiny hummingbird-attracting flowers during the winter months. I enjoy the late-summer rusty look of this plant as well.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h50
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White Tank Spring, Henry Coe State Park
Presumably, this rusty old water tank holds water from the spring.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h56
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White Tank Spring, Henry Coe State Park
The water in the spring tub is algae-rich and the spring is not flowing right now.
Date: September 01, 2008, 12h56
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Above Pacheco Camp, White Tank Spring Trail passes through a ceanothus grove before rising into a drier, more exposed area
White Tank Spring Trail rises about 700 feet over two miles. The trail is a bit more grown-in than I was expecting.
Date: September 01, 2008, 13h02
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Fluffy clematis post-flower seed heads along White Tank Spring Trail, Henry Coe State Park
This clematis was intertwined with a patch of poison oak, as is often the case.
Date: September 01, 2008, 13h07
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View of damage from last year's brush fire from White Tank Spring Trail, Henry Coe State Park
There's a lot of post-fire regrowth here along White Tank Spring Trail, but the next hill over still looks quite barren.
Date: September 01, 2008, 13h14
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