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Alder reflections.
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The place where the trail crosses the creek.
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Fallen leaves of Quercus lobata, VALLEY OAK
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Buckeye trunks covered with lichen and moss.
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Lichen and moss cover a fallen branch
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Alders grow tall, thin and close together on the banks of Smith Creek.
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Alnus rhombifolia, WHITE ALDER.
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We followed this old road
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Flat where Eric sensed an old woman's spirit
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Roughed-up ground with many animal tracks around a spring
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we followed the trace of this older road which turned into a game trail.
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Oaks with yellow leaves.
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Rock outcrops above our route.
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Lichen on rock
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We wondered what made these holes
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View back across the valley of Smith Creek.
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Leaves of two of the common oaks on our walk
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Quercus douglasii, BLUE OAK
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Grove of Quercus douglasii, BLUE OAK.
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Hericium erinaceus, LION'S MANE MUSHROOM
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We followed a steep game trail down
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This upper part of Smith Creek was also lined with alders.
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Eric drinking from Smith Creek
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Upper Smith Creek
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Antler scratches or mountain lion claw marks?
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We crossed and recrossed the creek to find the easiest places to walk.
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Alder roots help stabilize the banks of Smith Creek.
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Alder roots help stabilize the banks of Smith Creek.
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these roots are being washed out.
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Black oak leaf patterns. Smith Creek
