by Mariana T.
Member since:
May 10, 2006

Sycamore Canyon Hike

April 08, 2008 09:16 PM EDT
views: 120 | rating: 10/10 (29 votes) | comments: 28
Greetings!  Yesterday, we decided to forego the beach walk and take a canyon hike.  We live a mile from the beach and two blocks from the canyon road.  Both offer equally beautiful yet totally different treasures for the eyes to behold.  The canyon was the location of the infamous Sycamore Canyon fire back in the 70's.  It's since made a come back and most folks have rebuilt their homes.  A few years ago, there was a huge flood and again folks lost their houses.  The road is closed to traffic except for homeowner's use.  Here are a few scenes:
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d635/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg
It looks as if an ambitious woodpecker took a liking to this tree.
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d650/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Eucalyptus trees contain an oil that is extremely flammable.

 The image

These were some wild flowers along the road.

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d693/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Graffitti showed up on the bridge.

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d708/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

This was a horse trough along the road.  I am posting a video of me standing in front of it. It was
built by a private ranch owner for the horses and riders along the trail.

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d712/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Attempts are being made to hold back the earth; however, it looks futile.

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d714/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Entrance to a ranch along the trail.
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d696/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

This is a house way up on the hill in danger of sliding down.
http://media-files.gather.com/images/d720/d667/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

We really enjoyed the sights and scents along this canyon road and we collected a few pieces of firewood along the way.  Thanks for coming along.  Salud.
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Comments: 28

Ellie !. Apr 8, 2008, 9:35pm EDT
lovely little hike. you're lucky that you have a choice of terrain...so sad when people lose their homes to fire or flood.
ChrisJerri S. Apr 8, 2008, 9:43pm EDT
Beautiful trees. You are fortunate to have both a canyon to hike through, plus the beach.
Vivian A. Apr 8, 2008, 9:44pm EDT
Wonderful Mariana. Looks like a nice hike. My money's on Mother Nature winning btw.
Charli Mills Apr 8, 2008, 9:45pm EDT
What a spectacular hike! The horse trough is very elaborate. I love your jaunts, Mariana!
elizabeth e. Apr 8, 2008, 9:52pm EDT
Nice little hike today...quite different from the ones we normally take with you. Mudslides must be just horrendous and fires too. Such beautiful country and yet danger lurks in the next rainstorm or drought.
Vicky Duggins Apr 8, 2008, 9:52pm EDT
You certainly have a diverse choice of places to explore. I love those trees. Thanks for taking us along with you today.
Tinch is so cute.

The earth -- it's varied greenery, such beauty. I am forever in awe of it.
Mariana, thank for bringing us along, and being such a gracious and informative tour leader.
lynn a. Apr 8, 2008, 10:00pm EDT
Hi, Mariana, I enjoyed the walk with you. Sorry though that fire and flood and erosion have been such a problem. Hope you have another enjoyable trek tomorrow.
Wilma D. Apr 8, 2008, 10:34pm EDT
Wonderful! i love CA--if only the cost of living weren't so prohibitive.
Victoria H. Apr 8, 2008, 10:41pm EDT
Looks fun. I love a good hike, especially when you have such cool things to see. I wish we had a good hiking area around here for the kids and I to enjoy. You should join my photo essay group (allphotoessays.gather.com) and post this and future photo essays to. I moderate it and read,view, and comment on each photo essay submitted.
Marianne R. Apr 8, 2008, 10:43pm EDT
Beautiful spot for a hike and definitely different from the beach.
Linda K. Apr 8, 2008, 11:56pm EDT
Wow, what fun, Mariana! Thanks for taking me along! Maybe next time we can bring a couple of my horses and we can try out that trough?
necee t. Apr 9, 2008, 12:54am EDT
oh Mariana... thank you for taking me on your hike...
it was very nice... quite a change of pace...
Sycamore Canyon... thanks again... Salud...
Laurun M. Apr 9, 2008, 1:23am EDT
Nice blue sky on your canyon walk. It's sad that so many lost their homes. Thanks for taking me along on your lovely walk.
Karen R. Apr 9, 2008, 5:00am EDT
Great pictures.
David Salyer Apr 9, 2008, 8:39am EDT
Wonderful. Such a great area.
Your area seems to be a west coast version of mine. I have beaches, woods and hills. I love to explore. Thanks for taking me with you!
Jennifer F. Apr 9, 2008, 12:04pm EDT
Mariana, you live in such a beautiful area. I would hate to live on a landslide area though since insurance does nothing for you in that case - it would be horrible to lose everything like that. It would be so wonderful to have to choose between a beach hike or a woodland one. I love the ranches and the flowers and the Eucalyptus trees - it must smell fantastic there.
John S. (arizona) Apr 9, 2008, 12:20pm EDT
Thanks for taking me along on your walk, such nice pictures. Take care.
Mariana T. Apr 9, 2008, 12:45pm EDT
John S. I hope you don't mind me posting these nature articles to your group - You know I'm selective where I post things! Thank you.

Jennifer - it does smell fantastic - one of these days you need to come see for yourself on your way to do another article - the scents of eucalyptus are amazing. I have a friend who lives on several acres there and she's content as can be - gorgeous big house - not sure if it's insured but she's happy. Homeowners insurance has gotten expensive everywhere!!

Ina, girl, you got a new Icon - love it - look at that pretty hair...I am going to the beach tomorrow - I am truly more of a beach person myself.

Thanks David.
Thanks Karen.

Laurun, yes so sad but they are optimists I guess!!

Necee - always good to see you and take you along!

Linda K - oh would you drive them down? That would be a blast - there are many trails up in Montecito as well!

More later - Thank you all so very much! Salud.
Cecile V. Apr 9, 2008, 6:45pm EDT
Mariana! Oh I wish we lived closer! I'm in a writing funk and on hiatus from Gather, but I'm out with a friend after afternoon since Saturday hiking on the edge of the foothills here. The weather is just perfect for this. I wish you could join us and see my neighbor and I could join you and see yours!
~Lady Neeetah of California~Obama #44 W. Apr 10, 2008, 2:37pm EDT
**********Featured in "Californians on Gather"**************

Thank you, Mariana! Excellent post!
Krista P. Apr 10, 2008, 6:32pm EDT
I saw the video first...so all this is very enriching! What scenery! Thanks, dear girl!
Monica H. Apr 11, 2008, 1:56pm EDT
Mariana------That was amazing scenery. I feel like I went on the hike with you. It was an awesome break from house cleaning!!
Karolyn Q. Apr 11, 2008, 8:54pm EDT
This was a wonderful photo essay. I love the photos of your hike!
Mariana T. Apr 29, 2008, 9:00pm EDT
Thank you each and everyone of you - have a blessed evening - spring is finally here! Salud.

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