Monthly Archives: September 2009

nature, photography, photography|landscape, trails, trails|sierra

Of Mountains, Marmots and Mountain Bluebirds

published
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Descending from New Army Pass (12,300 ft.)

The flash of turquoise is so intense it is startling. The Mountain Bluebird flitters past, landing on a knobby plate of peppered Sierra granite. Its color is remarkable, without question a product of the mountains and the sky.


Cushion Buckwheat
Nearby a yellow-bellied marmot waddles to a favored rock and watches us with a mix of reproach, curiosity and concern. Patience exhausted, he scurries into his den.

The wind is light and the sun bright. At 12,000 feet it is comfortably cool — a perfect day for flying along the crest, scrambling among the rocks, or running a trail.

What better place to be on a fair Fall day than high in the Sierra?

Related posts: Siberian Outpost & Mt. Kaweah from the PCT, Cottonwood – New Army Pass Loop

photography, photography|landscape, running, trails, trails|smmc open space

Afternoon Run

first published & last updated
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View west from Rocky Peak road, past Simi Valley to Boney Mountain.

Started the weekend with an exhilarating Morning Run in the Santa Monica Mountains near Saddle Peak, and wrapped it up with another enjoyable run, the Chumash – Hummingbird loop in the Santa Susana Mountains.



Prior to the start of a controversial condo development near Happy Face Hill, the Chumash – Hummingbird loop was a favorite of mountain bikers and trail runners. According to an article in the Simi Valley Acorn, the original developer abandoned the project in 2008, and the land was recently purchased by a new developer.

Hopefully any new construction plans will continue to include a trail connection from the Chumash trailhead on Flanagan Dr. to the Hummingbird trailhead on Kuehner Dr.

The title photo is a view west from Rocky Peak road, past Simi Valley to Boney Mountain.

Related post: Chumash-Hummingbird Loop

nature, photography, photography|landscape, running, trails, trails|san gabriels

Interactive Google Earth View of the Area Burned by the Station Fire

first published & last updated
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Click for an interactive view using Google Earth plug-in.

Update May 29, 2010. Angeles National Forest has issued Forest Order 01-10-02 redefining the Station Fire closure area. See the Angeles National Forest website and this May 29, 2010 post for more info.

Updated October 7, 2009. Added Sheep Fire Perimeter from GEOMAC and the approximate eastern boundary of the Station Fire Closure Area.

Here’s an interactive Cesium browser View of the approximate areas burned by the Station (2009), Sheep (2009), Morris (2009), Curve (2002), and Williams (2002) fires. The Station, Sheep, and Morris fire perimeters are from the GEOMAC website, and the Curve and Williams perimeters are from the CDF/FRAP website.

The magenta line is the approximate eastern boundary of the Station Fire Closure Area as derived from Angeles National Forest Order No. 01-08-09, Exhibit A and Exhibit B. Please refer to the most current Forest Orders and Exhibits for official information. (See note above, this boundary no longer applies.)

GPS traces of some trail runs inside and outside the Station Fire area have been added, along with links to related photos and stories on PhotographyontheRun.com. Click on the green hiker icon to access the link.

The view also includes a partial track of the Pacific Crest Trail (2009 ver. 1) from the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail website.

Some placenames have also been added –the locations should be considered approximate.

Related post: Station Fire MODIS Fire Detections

nature, nature|insects, photography, photography|insects, running

Tarantula Time

published
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Tarantula (Aphonopelma spp.) near upper Las Virgenes Creek

September and October are the months I’m most likely to encounter tarantulas in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (formerly Ahmanson Ranch). Autumn is when maturing male tarantulas emerge from their burrows and wander in search of a mate.

This tarantula (Aphonopelma spp.)  was found near upper Las Virgenes Creek on today’s wonderfully cool 8 mile “FiveFingers” run.