Sunday, June 3, 2012

habitat ~ 06/03/12 ~ Garrapata State Park


Garrapata State Park
June 3, 2012

Despite my group outing fatigue from all the Fort Ord excursions in May, I signed up for this CNPS trip led by Bob Hale. If you can believe, I had never stopped here along Hwy 1 towards Big Sur to hike. All the cars parked along the busy Hwy under the trees have scared me away, because I figured the trails would be more crowded than I prefer when I go out to enjoy wild beauty (which turned out to be quite correct). Since it's only about 5 miles south of the more famous Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, it's become a very popular place with the seemingly annual closing of various sections of Hwy 1 due to rock slides and road collapses from winter storms and construction along the harsh Pacific Ocean edge.

We started with the very windy Soberanes Point Trail around Whale Peak (shown in the second photo above). Then we traversed the Hwy to get to the inland side and did a short section of the warm Soberanes Canyon Trail where we lunched under the redwoods (sorry, no picture). I was amazed to see all the work Bob and his volunteer cohorts have done to remove invasive poison hemlock, mustards, and thistles. Plus, I was equally surprised to find out how much planting of native seeds they do.

With all that work, it's no wonder Garrapata is such a beautiful place botanically; the impressive ocean views kinda take care of themselves. Unfortunately, this State Park is listed for closure come June 30, 2012, along with 3 other State Parks in Monterey County (Limekiln State Park, Moss Landing State Beach, and Zmudowski State Beach). Many people are very upset by the pending closures, like Randy at Way Points. Unlike back in 2009 when Mr. Terminator was Governor and threatened to close 80% of CA's State Parks, this year's more conservative closure list under Mr. Brown is going to happen... unless local groups organize non-profits or survive by sheer volunteer forces. In addition to Bob's group, there's another group that does trail maintenance; they call themselves Friends of Garrapata (FOG). It will be a rough, uphill battle to keep this place in decent shape.

5 comments:

Allison said...

How lovely. I would like to come walk there in your world where nature brings you peace and introspective interest. My life has grown so much more hurried and stressful, and I have begun to wonder about things. Missing these California hills - missing the evenings at the beach as the sun goes down. That's life, I suppose. I thought of you the other day when I transplanted my chocolate mint to my new yard. We aren't moved in yet, but I wanted to be sure my favorite plant doesn't get forgotten and left behind. The rain has been constant for so long this year that your pictures did my heart a measure of good. Hugs from another continent.

Katie (Nature ID) said...

Thank you so much, Allison. I'm excited for you with your new home, even though I suspect that's a significant part of your added stress. I hope your chocolate mint flourishes. Why did it remind you of me?

Jennifer said...

Steve and I hiked Soberanes around Whale Peak yesterday.....that's two times in a week! We love it there. Definitely one of my favorite places. I haven't yet hiked on the part of the trail that goes to the top, but hope to do it on a really cool overcast day when I'm feeling energetic!

Jeannette said...

Yes, it is hard to imagine you not having been up Garrapata... But then I didn't go until a brother visiting from up north got me up there. I was surprised by the change of environ as you head up and in.

The park closures...it is a big loss...

Katie (Nature ID) said...

Jeannette, (big smile), we often don't do local things (aquarium, whale watching, new hikes, etc.) until someone comes to visit us. Funny how that happens. Last week's Pine Cone said MPRPD and BSLT are jointly paying for trash disposal and porta potty for the next year at Garrapata - two much needed necessities at this relatively remote location. The incredible work of various volunteers there is an impressive example of how local folks can keep a place vibrant. I'm guessing the State will eventually lease the land to one or more of these groups to manage in the future.