San Diego Backcountry

[osideterry]

It's been a long time since I posted a photo thread, so let's see if I remember how this thing works.

My twin brother Larry came out for the weekend. He was so sick of winter in Kansas City, he wanted me to drag him out to the desert and leave him on rock to warm up like a lizard. No problem. But first I wanted to get to the top of a mountain.

Here is Larry and I near the trailhead with Stonewall Peak, our destination, 900 ft above us.

[osideterry]

My son Joel wanted to join us, as he likes hanging out with Uncle Larry. Here is a photo of Joel and I as we near the home stretch.

[osideterry]

Stonewall looks way more impressive than it is difficult. Still, it is the single sharpest pinnacle of a summit I've ever hiked. It's a lot like Morro Rock in Sequoia National Park. The following are photos of me on the rail, the view back toward Lake Cuyamaca, and Larry and Joel at the top.

[osideterry]

I ventured off trail to get photos looking back up at Joel and Larry peak baggin'.

[osideterry]

Fast forward to Saturday. We drive out to Borrego Springs so Larry can actually get warm for the first time in 4 months. The weather was sunny and warmer than expected as we hit the trailhead. (That's me, not Larry.)

There was lots of ocotillo out there. I understand it can grow like this in a matter of days after a good rain.

[osideterry]

Now I'll just let the photos talk....

[osideterry]

As you can see a fire has recently been through. That's me taking a photo, the photo, and yes I wear a fanny pack when I hike.

[osideterry]

Back into the oasis again. That's Larry, not me. I use to say that a lot while doing family slideshows. All the bad photos got to be Larry.

[osideterry]

Larry actually brought a small easel thing called a "thumb box" and did a 1-hour plein air study. I didn't take a photo, but will post it after he finishes it in his studio. The second photo is him heading back down the trail. The third photo is the view back into the valley. The last pic is a baby Washy filifera. Maybe I should have dug one up and stuffed it in my fanny pack?

That's it. I'll add photos of the paintings later.

[joe_OC]

Terry...you BOTH are wearing fanny packs! GREAT pics of the oasis. I especially liked the 4th pic in post #6.

[paulgila]

great shots,terry.

my parents live in borrego springs a few miles form the park.i have been thinking about taking that hike again since its been quite a few yrs since i did it!

[osideterry]

Joe - Would you believe we traded fanny packs because mine fit his "thumb box"? I actually get more abuse about the trekking poles. Fanny packs and trekking poles are the only way to hike.

Paul - It's an easy hike, 3 miles total and level. There were OLD people on the trail. Do it on a Wednesday to avoid a bunch of people.

[Ryland]

Terry, what a privilege to live so close to groves of the West's only native palm (in the U.S.). It seems ironic that W. filifera is not used more considering it is closest geographically. I had a great opportunity to visit the northernmost Washingtonia grove in Southern Nevada over the summer, and wow! It was truly magnificent to see that firsthand. I think you've inspired me to post pictures from that event.

Wonderful pictures! I'm glad you found such a good way to give your brother a break from the cold!

[OverGrown]

Cool, thanks for the pics.. I never knew SD had places like that.

[BS Man about Palms]

Great Trip coverage Terry, Thanks!

I've made that Stonewall peak hike a couple times, its fun!

[palmcurry]

Looks like a good hike! Like your in-habitat shots too. I've been hiking around Descanso but not Stonewal peak. Need to check that out sometime.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Fantastic pictures Terry ,beautiful scenery.

[freakypalmguy]

Nice pics Terry, looks like you guys had a good time.

[Peter]

Great photography Terry!

[Kim]

Excellent photos, Terry! Stonewall Peak is a nice walk for a quick view, but if you want a little exercise, cross the road and walk up Cuyamaca Peak. Great views from there as well. (Well, knowing you, you've probably done that several times.)

Love your photos of the W. filifera groves. Haven't been out there for a couple of years. This should be a great spring for wildflowers -- did you see any blooming yet?

[bgl]

Terry,

That's pretty spectacular! Love those photos! When we lived in the San Diego area, and had visitors from out of town, one of my favorite excursions was to drive up to Julian and then down the mountain to Borrego Springs. The change in environment and climate in that short 30 minute drive is pretty incredible.

Bo-Göran

[osideterry]

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

palmcurry - Descanso... Have you hiked Lawton (Lawson?) Peak. It's always been on my list, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Any peak that requires climbing through a cave to reach the summit would be fun.

Kim - I've hiked Cuyamaca Peak, and particularly love the view from the saddle north and below the summit. This was my first time hiking in Cuyamaca since the 2003 Cedar Fire. I just haven't had the heart. As you know the incredible loss not only of mature conifers, but a number of thousand-year old California Live Oaks. Right now there are lots of the small, daintier wildflowers in Borrego Palm canyon. I want to go back in a month when the beavertail cactus are blooming their big papery flowers.

[bubba]

Can't get enough of those Washies in natural habitat.It will be great to see your brother's rendition.

[MattyB]

Thanks Terry, just beautiful.

[Al in Kona]

Thanks for the hiking tour and seeing the Washintonia in habitat. The California desert has a different beauty all of its own.

[Daryl]

Terry, lovely photos of a very scenic area. Those filiferas are great!

Daryl

[Tyrone]

Gotta love Washies in the wild. Thanks for posting.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Jeff in St Pete]

Terry, thanks for the photo tour. The oasis pics are incredible!

[DoomsDave]

Great pics, Terry!

Some of those ended up as backgrounds . . . . especially that one with the river gushing past the young Washie . . . .

[sick1166]

thanks nice pics

[RyManUtah]

beautiful pics! love ocotillos too!

[Walter John]

Terry...you BOTH are wearing fanny packs! GREAT pics of the oasis. I especially liked the 4th pic in post #6.

ditto on that pic. thanks for posting, too cool.

[osideterry]

As an update, here is my brother's painting from the hike...

[Gtlevine]

Awesome painting, does he use oil or water colors? Does he have a website where he sells them?

Thx, Gary

[tinman10101]

Nice painting ... reminds me of the California Plein Air artists. I like the composition and the use of atomospheric depth.

Cheers!

Tin

[_Keith]

Awesome. Weren't you starting to paint as well? Seems like I remember you doing something like that a couple of years back.

[BS Man about Palms]

Very impressive!

[palmmermaid]

Terry,

What trail is this? Looks like one we need to visit while we are there.

[osideterry]

Oops, I forgot to check back with this topic.

Here is Larry's website: http://larrydegraff.com/

Here is his blog, where he shows demonstrations, including this painting: http://jacobsstew.blogspot.com/

Gary - He is currently doing only oil, but has done watercolor and pastel previously. Next time he's out, could we come by your place to paint?

Kitty - The painting is from the Borrego Palm Canyon Hike much spoken of in your thread.

[Al in Kona]

Terry, what a privilege to live so close to groves of the West's only native palm (in the U.S.). It seems ironic that W. filifera is not used more considering it is closest geographically. I had a great opportunity to visit the northernmost Washingtonia grove in Southern Nevada over the summer, and wow! It was truly magnificent to see that firsthand. I think you've inspired me to post pictures from that event.

Wonderful pictures! I'm glad you found such a good way to give your brother a break from the cold!

Terry, thanks for sharing your interesting visit to these two areas east of San Diego and it's always interesting to see native palms in habitat.

While it's true that Washingtonia filifera is the U.S. West's only native palm, Brahea armata is very close to being another, as it is found in Baja California in Guadalupe Canyon just across the Mexican border. It's a beautiful setting with lots of palms.