Into the green

[gurdymonkey]

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes.

Met didjiman at his house a little after 7 for a drive involving windy roads up to Big Basin State Park. Do take note of the seasonal climate note: Cold, overcast and rainy. Big Basin receives the majority of its average 48 inches of rain. December through March average temperatures range from highs in the 50's to lows in the 20's. (I think it was probably in the 40's when we arrived, though I got warm enough hiking to peel off the sweatshirt I had on under my windbreaker.)

We did the Sequoia Trail loop which clocks in at under 5 miles, with some climbing, but nothing too awful, starting at park HQ for Sempervirens Falls, then up to Slippery Rock and back down along Opal Creek. We got the occasional rain drops, particularly on the hike up Slippery Rock.


I have just ruthlessly culled a buttload of dim, blurry photos because it was so dark under the redwoods on such an overcast day my camera was having trouble registering some shots. The "flower" mode did work very nicely for some interesting mushroom species and a close encounter with a banana slug. http://www.flickr.com/photos/70104978@N00/sets/72157622951183938/



We practically had the place to ourselves. Except for the ranger we checked in with, we ran into one couple at the falls (they'd come up the road by car), and another on the trail coming the opposite way from us fairly late.

Stopped for sandwiches at a place in Saratoga on the way back, then back to didjiman and karisu_sama 's place for a cup of tea before heading home.

Comments

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

The yellow mushroom shot is just gorgeous.
Sounds like a great way to spend your birthday. Happy Birthday!

[didjiman.livejournal.com]

Punch up the yellow on that slug!! It was really bright yellow :-) I like the 2nd pic...

mmm.... mushroom yummm...

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

We Do Not Monkey With Photoshop.

[didjiman.livejournal.com]

What do you think your :mode: buttons do? :-)

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

Go Banana Slugs Go!
Yes, I did go to UCSC. :)
The pictures are lovely. I do love the area around there.
And the mushes are only yummy IF you pick the right ones. Otherwise they are quite dangerous. So take a lot of photos but don't eat any unless you bring a mushroom expert with you.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I believe the only appropriate response to that is "Duh." I don't go around petting snakes either.

[katerit.livejournal.com]

Yes, you are smart and savvy. I must say though, I have been known to stop and pet snakes - but I know darn well the species and its propensity for biting or not biting. Gopher snakes are charming.

I'm glad you had such a lovely hike - and you got to see a cool banana slug! Your mushrooms are lovely.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

UC Santa Cruz is located in the same forest you walked in. Our Mascot is the Banana Slug! Which is why UCSC items are frequently decorated with a cartoon version of the yellow fellow.
We Never squish our mascot. That would be bad.
But I just look at them and walk around them. I wouldn't pet them either.
Snakes on the other hand, those I pet, provided they are friendly snakes. I've even held them, if they were small enough.

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

gorgeous photos. I love taking pix of mushrooms!

[mochimonkey.livejournal.com]

Are those edible mushrooms? They're beautiful and I have this urge to make a mushroom ragout over polenta now.

GAH! SLUG! *STOMP*

[didjiman.livejournal.com]

"Do you pick THE Mushrooms"

Every few month, some migrant families will get terribly sick or died from eating self-harvested mushrooms. Apparently, some Mexican mushrooms look just like Deathcaps *shudder*

We did find what looks to be Chanterelle, but who knows, may be it's a relative called "Orange Deaththingie that looks like Chanterelle."

[mochimonkey.livejournal.com]

I know enough not to pick mushrooms found while ambling along in Mother Nature. =) But there are people that DO know what they're doing and I was just wondering if either of you were one of those kinda mushroom-smarts people.

Doesn't change the fact that I really want to make polenta mushroom ragout. =D

[didjiman.livejournal.com]

We are really mushroom smart. We know to get ones in the market no matter how tempting the ones in the field looks :-)

[vittoriosa.livejournal.com]

yay banana slugs! :-)

[kproche.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday!

[la-peregrina.livejournal.com]

Wow! That slug almost looked like a pepper! :-)

We did the Sequoia Trail loop which clocks in at under 5 miles, with some climbing, but nothing too awful, starting at park HQ for Sempervirens Falls, then up to Slippery Rock

Well, that was a long walk. ;->

A lovely way to spend your birthday, that. 'Twas also the Feast of Saint Nicholas and it would have been my folks' 50th wedding anniversary. *sigh*

Lovely photographs!