| JULY 1993 | ** Our 52nd Season ** | 226 |
As we drove south to Ensenada the landscape became less and less marred by human development. We turned of f the highway south of Ensenada to a dirt road. The 5 hour. drive to the point where our 2x2 van could go no more for the most part had no visible sign of man except for the dirt road we were on and a few ranches.
The forests of conifers and undergrowth of manzanita were present during most of my 3 day backpack, making us put our feet down carefully with most every step. We were stepping on slippery boulders and branches or what ever was available much of the time. There was an occasional trail which sometimes turned into an animal trail. Many paths were ducked, including the incorrect ones. It helped to have extra sensory perception as well as a map.
The most spectacular part of the approach to El Picacho del Diablo was the initial view of Diablo Canyon after crossing the plateau where we had left our vehicles. Diablo Canyon is the most fascinating canyons I have ever seem because of inaccessibility. The v-shaped canyon has very steep and high walls with a flowing stream at the bottom. Off in the distance you can see the blue waters of the Gulf. We came from the densely wooded west and looked out over to the desert.
If you haven't already ventured into this fine specimen of wilderness, an exciting experience awaits you. I urge all of you to go there.
Not to change the subject, here is a word of caution. Before you decide to dial my phone number from the new Schedule July through October 1993-don't. By accident the people that do the Schedule changed my phone number to another number already in the Schedule, that of Lyn Klein's. Her name is 2 names ahead of me. My correct phone number now and has always been 310-455-1956.
