Backpack and Beer: sunrise

Sunday, October 1, 2023

New Year's Laurel River Lake

1/1 - 1/2/23

Laurel River Lake

Nice weather, my wife suggested that I spend the night in the woods. I planned on going one place and when I got to the trailhead there were about 10 cars. I wasn't interested in camping near a bunch of people and I figured that at least some of those people were going to be where I was planning on staying. So, I decided to head to Laurel River Lake. I knew I'd be able to see the sunset/sunrise and the lake is always pretty.

all cell phone pics

I walked along the lakeshore for a bit and found a place to setup camp.

Looks like there is some potential for a nice sunset

It started out nicely ...

... and kept going

Then the stars started to come out

Orion coming up in the east

Venus?

Cloudy morning, no sunrise

A short trip, but a nice way to start the new year

Friday, March 3, 2023

Point Reyes

Point Reyes and Samuel P. Taylor State Park
6/20 - 6/22/22 (2 nights)
2022 Bag Nights: 15

I drove over from Yosemite and got settled into my campsite at Samuel P Taylor SP and then drove over to Point Reyes to start exploring.

First stop was Tomales Point to see if I could see some elk, preview: lots of elk

Song Sparrow

Tons of lupine blooming all over the place

This guy popped up out of a hole right in the middle of the trail. He saw me and disappeared. I decided to see if he would stick his head up again and after about a minute he did.

Lots of elk before this one, but first reasonable photo

So many flowers

California Red-sided Garter Snake, still don't like snakes

Down to McClures Beach for the sunset

Day 2: Up early and off to Abbots Lagoon, I hoped to find otters but no such luck, lots of birds instead.

Another Sparrow

Scrub Jay

Quail

A badger? Only a couple shots and then it disappeared.

California Killer Rabbit, run away!

Abbots Lagoon

The tidal flats near the beach were crawling with birds and only a couple other hikers out early.

Immature Great Blue Heron?

Don't know?

Pelicans, seagull, and Merganser Duck?

Immature Great Blue Heron?

White Egret

Brewer's Blackbird?

Then over to Drakes Beach to find Elephant Seals

Chimney Rock from Drakes Beach

Then up to check out the lighthouse, the path to the lighthouse ended up being shut so no good photos or the lighthouse. But great views looking north at Point Reyes Beach

Over towards Chimney Rock and down to the Elephant Seal lookout

Drakes Beach in the distance

Old Lifeboat Station

Whales

Coast Guard

Sea Lions down below

Over to Limantour Spit for the sunset. I first hiked the couple miles down to Coast Camp to see what the backpacking would have been like. Hot and exposed, probably would have been fun.