Los Padres National Forest / Ventana Wilderness, 2005

Pine Ridge Trail Pine Ridge Trail leads from China Camp at the end of Tassajara Road to Pine Valley and to the very beginning of the Carmel River. One can probably make this hike in eight hours round trip but I wouldn't recomend it. Carrying camping gear and taking a couple of breaks while enjoying the view it took us six hours to get there and six hours to get back the next day.

Any idea why my hiking buddies call me "The Hobbit"?

On the way up to Pine Ridge

Thanks to all the rain we got last winter, 2005 will always be remembered as the "Year of the Wildflowers."

Pine Valley Five miles down from Pine Ridge is Pine Valley - probably the most peaceful spot I have ever seen. It is a popular destination (we met about 20 people along the way) but the camp sites are so isolated that we really felt like we were the only people in the valley. Well, sombody must have been here before.

This is where we made camp...

Greg, banging rocks together to get the fire started . . .

Eddy, building a walkin-closet . . .

and Volker, hiding in a plastic tube.

Soon, the fire was burning high . . .

dinner was served . . .

. . . and I, finally, got a cup of tea.

Wherever Greg and I go, we always carry our chess board with us. This particular evening, Greg won.

Nightfall Nothing beats camping under the stars with good friends and a night at a camp fire. We went to "bed" early and slept like babies until 8am the next morning.

Swimming Pool

The Carmel River was only ten steps away from our camp site . . .

. . . and yes, it really was that cold!

Hiking back Hard to believe our entire "camp" fit into these three backpacks . . . . . . soon we were all geared up and ready to hike back.

Five hours later, back on top of Pine Ridge

Of course, Bernd was with me all the way from the Carmel River to Pine Ridge.

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