Photographs from the Photography on the Run post: Mt. Pinos Adventure Run to Mesa Spring
Sunrise on the rabbitbush-covered summit plateau of Mt. Pinos. Elevation is about 8720'. August 29, 2020.
A Google Terrain Map showing the location and size of the San Emigdio Mesa, and my GPS track from Mt.Pinos. Here's a link to the full-size map.
A stunted Jeffrey pine (left) and a limber pine near the Condor Observation site on Mt. Pinos. Elevation about 8810'.
Hazy morning view of Reyes Peak, Pine Mountain, and the Cuyama Badlands from the Vincent Tumamait Trail.
Trail sign at the junction of the Tumamait and North Fork Trails. The mileages seem about right. Trail 22W21 is the Mesa Spring Trail. Elevation is about 8515'.
The top of the North Fork Trail. It's a little less than a half mile down to the spring at Sheep Camp. I planned to stop there for water on the way back.
The junction of the Mesa Spring Trail and Vincent Tumamait Trail is about 5.7 miles from the Mt. Pinos parking area. Elevation is about 7625'.
A section of the 1903 edition of the Mt. Pinos Quadrangle, showing a segment of the old trail over Puerto del Suelo. The trail was part of a route between the Cuyama River and El Camino Viejo a Los Ángeles.
Large Jeffrey pine blocking the Mesa Spring Trail. It's one of several fallen trees in the area. August 29, 2020.
These fence posts mark part of a route around the blocked trail and most of the tree debris. August 29, 2020.
An unusual number of pines on this stretch of the Mesa Spring Trail appeared to be stressed, dying or dead. August 29, 2020.
The Mesa Spring Trail meandered around the right (west) side of this meadow on the way down. The elevation is about 7000'.
A pinyon pine along the Mesa Spring Trail. The pinyon pine becomes increasingly common as the trail drops in elevation.
Pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla) has one needle per fascicle.
Juniper berries along the Mesa Spring Trail, near the northern margin of the San Emigdio Mesa. Elevation is about 6325'. August 29, 2020.
Open area of Pinyon–Juniper Woodland on San Emigdio Mesa, near Mesa Spring. August 29, 2020.
One of two campsites at Mesa Spring Camp. This one is near the spring. August 29, 2020.
San Emigdio Mesa Spring. Elevation is about 5975'. August 29, 2020.
The cistern at Mesa Spring. Would be interesting to monitor the wildlife that visits the cistern with a trail camera. August 29, 2020.
Working up and over from Mesa Spring to "Puerto del Suelo" canyon on the way back to the high country.
Didn't have to go around this tree. Other than this tree and the large tree about 0.7 mile from the top, most of the trees on the trail could be stepped over. August 29, 2020.
Brown-eyed wolf lichen (Letharia columbiana) on a pinyon pine along the Mesa Spring Trail. Elevation is about 6590'. August 29, 2020.
Another species of wolf lichen (Letharia vulpina) on white fir along the Vincent Tumamait Trail, near Grouse Mountain. Elevation is about 8325'. August 29, 2020.
Tucker's oak (Quercus john-tuckeri) along the Mesa Spring Trail. Elevation is about 6730'.
California fuchsia along the Mesa Spring Trail. August 29, 2020.
Pleasant stretch of the Mesa Spring Trail in Jeffrey pines, about one-third of a mile from Puerto del Suelo saddle.
Jeffrey pine and seedling.
All that remains of a fresh pine cone after its seeds have been deftly removed by a squirrel.
The spring at Sheep Camp is on the North Fork Trail, about 0.4 mile south of the Vincent Tumamait Trail junction.
Looking up at the shoulder of Mt. Pinos with about a mile remaining to the East Tamamait Trailhead at the Condor Observation Site.
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