Marilyn, Nora, Linda, and I hiked part of the Barnhardt Trail on Friday. We went out about five miles on the Barnhardt Trail. We had planned to also hike the Sandy Saddle Trail to Casterson Seep and then hike down to the first waterfall in Barnhardt Canyon, but the manzanita not only obscured the trail but also greatly slowed us down. We hiked perhaps a quarter of a mile of Sandy Saddle before turning back.
Looking into Barnhardt Canyon from midway up the trail:
We’re much higher on the trail now, perhaps even on the Sandy Saddle Trail – I don’t remember exactly.
As we continued on, we saw greater evidence of damage from the 2004 Willow Fire. It’s my understanding that there used to be a forest of Ponderosa Pines in this area.
We were intrigued by the fallen tree. It looked like someone had drilled a bunch of 7/16″ holes in the wood.
Looking into “Big Kahuna” falls from the trail. I also got a shot from further into the canyon on the way up, but I decided that I liked this shot better.
One of the blocky rock walls along the trail.
This was a well shaded area – it doesn’t appear to ever get much direct sun.
Another secluded spot for cacti to grow:
Some kind of toad…
Looking back…
Some interesting veins of zig-zaggy rock.
Mona, Linda, and Marilyn:
Linda provided this photo of Nora and me looking over one of the edges.
Susan Davis says:
More great and very interesting photos–the toad–oh my!!! And the cacti and fern arrangement !!!! Thank you!
April 1, 2018 — 10:15 am
Gary Wietgrefe says:
Cacti and ferns seems to be agronomically impossible. Thanks for offering tip on shaded area. Zig-zag is likewise a geologic wonder as is the camouflaged toad. Great hike summary!
April 2, 2018 — 7:28 am
Nora Leone says:
I think the toad was a Canyon Tree Frog based on Google Images. I’m still waiting to hear what your readrs think made the many holes in the dead tree. Thanks for the fun day.
April 7, 2018 — 8:36 pm