During the night prior to this hike there had been a ferocious storm over the Santa Cruz Mountains. Caltrans were out in force clearing slides along Highway 84. We managed to get through without undue delay, even though traffic was reduced to a single narrow lane in many places. Good job Caltrans.
You all missed a spectacular hike. The only attendees on this hike were Vivian and Martin (the leader).
We parked, as usual by the kiosk. There was water everywhere. We ventured a few yards toward the Año Nuevo Trail and found this.
There's no way across here. Click for full resolution image
Looking to start on the Jackson Flats Trail we found this
We're not going that way either. Click for full resolution image
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We walked up the road, hoping to find a way over the creek to the Jackson Flats Trail. We hoped to find some calypso orchids there.
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We took the little hill, which is part of the Six Bridges Trail, and looked down on the water pouring over the dam on the creek.
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The bridge leading to the Mill Ox Trail was just above water so we took the opportunity to cross the creek and head toward the Jackson Flats Trail.
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The weather is quite good now, we almost have sunshine.
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Those banana slugs are savaging those poor mushrooms. Those shiny red ones cannot be too poisonous.
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Everything is enjoying the moisture.
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We find our first calypso orchid half-way along the Jackson Flats Trail.
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Here is a soggy trillium.
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A victim of the recent storms.
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The trail is wet in places.
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This guy moved too fast for me to get him in focus.
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At the junction with the Canyon Trail we detour a little way up the trail leading to Butano Fire Road and find another orchid.
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and another one coming down.
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Back at the junction.
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We start off along the Canyon Trail and, within yards, find several more orchids.
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We also find mission bells.
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and more orchids.
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The Canyon Trail is blocked at the steep and narrow unstable section. I try to get around the blockage but it's too steep there and dangerous. There are probably more blockages farther along so we abandon the attempt and head back to the junction with the Jackson Flats Trail. When there we take the trail up to the Butano Fire Road.
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There's bush poppies
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and very pretty lichen and fungi.
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There's a baby newt
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and a nice old snag
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We take the Mill Ox Trail back and come across some iris
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then more orchids.
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There's also mushrooms
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and trillium.
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More mushrooms on logs
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and hound's tongue.
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We next hike along the Little Butano Creek Trail.
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We are stopped here
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and have to retreat.
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Back on the park road we look at the dam.
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That's it. End of hike.
This page updated 11/09/06
