Juan Bautista De Anza National Historical Trail - San Juan Bautista segment

 Waxing Gibbous Moon

The local segment of the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historical Trail, known  in my neighborhood as the De Anza Trail, begins a little more than a mile from my camp. The National Park Service refers to it as the Anza Trail and to its origins as the Anza Expedition, which I suspect is stubborn, old historical whitewashing. Nobody calls Ponce De Leon "Leon" or Oscar De La Hoya "Hoya" do they? Maybe I am being picky, but it's the De Anza Trail as far as I'm concerned. And yes, I am aware that I may possibly be the only person who sees it that way, but in a contest to see who is most stubborn, I am placing all bets on me.

Anyway, the trail in question is 4 miles long from the San Juan Bautista trailhead up and over the divide to the Salinas Valley trailhead with  a total elevation gain of 1,480 feet round trip. Over and back is a hardy 8-mile hike, which is, in my humble opinion, a good gauge of most people's conditioning. I did it yesterday afternoon without any serious repercussions, although I needed a big dinner, lots of rehydration, some heat therapy on my knee, and 8 hours of shut-eye to feel that way. 

The scenery up there ranges from pretty nice to way cool, depending on the season and the air quality. Yesterday was pretty cool.

Even though we have not had much rain, this view is still amazingly green. 

That's Loma Prieta off in the distance, the highest point on the horizon.

I didn't see much wildlife on this hike besides ground squirrels and scrub jays, but one turkey vulture entertained me for a minute, soaring on the afternoon breeze above San Juan Canyon. Much of the San Juan side is exposed to the Sun, but there are a few shaded pieces of the trail. From the top of the divide, Monterey Bay is visible in the distance.

I heart tree tunnels.

Those of you with active imaginations might see a sad-eyed ogre inside this old tree.

 

Monterey Bay is that darker shade of blue below the sky on the horizon.

I think the Salinas side of the trail, about a mile and a half long, has the most interesting features. The Vergeles Fault splits the valley in two and the old oak forests and the creek bed are full of light and shadow. There is a very pleasant bench to eat a sandwich on at the 4-mile mark by the trailhead gate.

Turn around point.

Other than Pinnacles National Park, the De Anza Trail is probably the best hiking experience in San Benito County. I am grateful for all the work that local folks have done to keep it open to the public. 

Peace, Love, and Keep It Wild,

Jim