Sunday, February 12, 2012

Exploring Montgomery Woods

 I went on another bushwhack in Montgomery Woods yesterday to get a better feel for the overall area. I had two goals in mind: To find my camera tripod that I had lost three weeks ago, and to perhaps locate a Montgomery Woods albino. There is no information that I am aware of that indicates any albinos growing in this grove.
 Thankfully, I located my tripod right away. It was right where I had hoped it would be. The last few weeks I had been using a modified tripod: A water bottle with a glob of play-doh on top. It actually has worked great. However, I was glad to find my tripod that can actually screw onto my camera, a Christmas gift from my sister a few years ago.
 The bushwhack was pretty exhausting. I decided to head up the mountainside following a small creek or spring. I did manage to locate a pretty cool spot, about half way up the mountain. There was a small fire ring there, and some pretty huge trees near a couple of small waterfalls. I doubt many people go there, glad to know it exists.
 I spent several hours working my way up the mountain. The redwoods were becoming smaller the higher I climbed. Every now and then, I would see a massive giant, but nothing as large as the collection of trees in the main grove down below.
 As I reached the ridge line, I was pretty excited to see what kind of view I would find. To my disappointment, I reached a fence and someones property at the top of the mountain. I decided to head down.
 It was pretty cool making my descent, because the redwoods were growing larger and larger the closer I got to the bottom. By now I was dreadfully thirsty. Couldn't help but notice how the small things in the forest give me a lot of joy right now. Damp dead fall, pine cones, moss, just to name a few.
 Even though I knew what to expect when I reached the valley floor, I was still in awe when I reached the bottom, and the grove completely opens up and enormous trees abound. Absolutely spectacular.
I measured the circumferences of a couple trees I had not noticed before. Some incredible giants living here. I did not find any albinos, but can't help think there might be one here. So now the hunt begins for the "ghost of Montgomery..."

3 comments:

  1. Glad you found your tripod.

    I'll take a wild guess and assume that's a banana slug? Looks big and banana-like to me, anyway!

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  2. Ill be in Montgomery woos on the 29th, cant wait, it will be my first time in the redwoods.

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