Monday, March 11. I left from the Coe Ranch via the Corral and Springs Trails.

The beginning of today's route ducks in and out of the trees.

On the Springs Trail.

Adelinia grandis. Western Hounds Tongue. Formerly in the genus Cynoglossum.

Viola pedunculata (California golden violet, johnny jump-up) or V. purpurea (goosefoot violet). The two are quite close and the critical difference, basal leaves or not, is not in view here.

Eschscholzia californica. California poppy.

Dipterostemon capitatus (formerly Dichelostemma capitatum). Blue dicks.

Ranunculus californicus. California buttercup.

Sisyrinchium bellum. Western blue eyed grass.

Approaching the top of Poverty Flat Road. Willow Ridge (and its trail) is in the distance.

On the way down to Poverty Flat, I saw a group of turkeys: one displaying male and several indifferent females.

The male's fan was quite impressive.

The route took me through Poverty Flat to here, the top of Miller Field. Looking south from the Poverty Flat Road / Mt. Sizer Road intersection.

East was this little cabin on the hill.

Tuesday, March 12. Camp was near the confluence of Rock House Creek and the East Fork of Coyote Creek. Frost!

Near camp was the now-abandoned Arnold Horse Camp.

Under a metal roof was this two-room shack.

The area was full of california newts, including some unphotographable ones swimming in Rock House Creek.

Heading up the East Fork of Coyote Creek. The trail, an old ranch road, is in the high-water creek bed much of the way.

Ahead is the Bear Mountain Trail ... and the day's climb. Dry chapparal up there, mostly chamise.

Here is where I will leave Coyote Creek. That's the back side of the hill with the small cabin.

The view upstream.

The view after climbing a few hundred feet. In 1985 I camped on the flats by the river, either here or just a bit upstream.

While much of the climb was through dry chapparal, there were some grassy spots with oaks.