Poppies, Snake, and Water in Creek

It was a long week and I didn’t want to drive anywhere today so decided to ride to Old Camp and check out how much water is in the creek.

Today was also the day Whiting Ranch reopened after all the recent rains here in southern CA. The pond on Sleepy Hollow is full to capacity.

 

Pond on Sleepy Hollow – Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

Climbed over to horse stables and up to STT. Not too far up STT saw my first snake for 2019. It was a little rattlesnake about a foot long. I always hope people are paying attention to not run these guys over.

Kept heading up STT and felt good so decided to go all the way to Old Camp. There were poppies on the hills above Modjeska Canyon and after passing the Luge I saw the poppies along STT. Earlier in the week I did a night ride here but they were all closed up for nighttime.

 

Looking SW from STT above Luge

 

Vulture Crags in distance

Just before getting to New Camp, it is possible to look down into the canyon and see the water running into Santiago Creek. Unfortunately, the vegetation has not grown back where off-roaders came up Cadillac and drove along STT all the way to Old Camp. I went up Joplin to the first creek crossing to enjoy the scenery and the sound of rushing water.

 

Santiago Creek not too far from it’s headwaters

In the summertime, this creek crossing is completely dry and can be ridden through. The water is about 2 ft deep right now.

After leaving Old Camp, the rest of ride was uneventful. Saw some nice butterflies in O’Neill park on Live Oak. Was at turn to neighborhood and at 4.7k so went up to vista point to get 5k for ride and 27 mi.