Rondia in the silence of the White Fir forest on Pine Mtn.
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Yet another scenic vista on the Reyes Peak Trail.
Photo: Erika Klohe
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Fall Equinox Nature Hike on Pine Mtn. |
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As the 40-year anniversary season of Herb Walks winds down, I will lead my 4th annual Fall Equinox Nature Hike on Saturday, September 24, in the peaceful Mixed Conifer Forest on Pine Mountain (elevation: 7000 feet) at the time of year when the pine nuts usually are dropping.
After carpooling up scenic Highway 33 from Ojai, we will start walking into the Sespe Wilderness from the trailhead (where there is a restroom) at about 10:30 a.m., stop for lunch in the pines, and return to the trailhead at 3:00 p.m., arriving back at the Maricopa Plaza by 4:00 p.m.
Read more and register at this link.
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New copies of this classic are going for 3 times as much on Amazon!
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I've sold over a dozen copies so far but, frankly, I'm surprised more people haven't taken advantage of this opportunity. That's why I keep reminding you that you can buy it
here for the original 1996 price of $19.95.
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| The newly revised 3rd edition of his book is out and available in the Herb Walks Bookstore and on October 22 |
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Early-bird Price for Fall Medicinal Plant Weekend good until September 24
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On Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23, we will offer an encore Medicinal Plant Weekend with Dr. James Adams of USC School of Pharmacy focused on the plants of the Fall season. We'll go on an ethnobotanical expedition to Rose Valley on Saturday followed by a medicinal plant walk and kitchen preparation session on Sunday.
Jim will have copies of the newly revised 3rd edition of
Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West for sale and signing.
Read more and register at the early-bird rate (until 9/24) at
this link.
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The late Tomas Bostrom, lead landscape architect in design of Ojai's Cluff Vista Park |
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Plant Walk to Honor Tomas Bostrom
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Renowned Ojai landscape architect
Tomas Bostrom succumbed to cancer on August 18, leaving behind a lasting legacy including
Cluff Vista Park, the reforestation of the valley by the group he founded,
Ojai Trees, the Welcome to Ojai sign, Rotary Park at the west entrance to the valley, the bridge that joins Libbey Park to the Art Center, the rebuilding of the Ojai Avenue pergola, and many other landscape designs around the valley.
Tomas also left behind some medical bills caused by his inability to work for an extended period of time. Please join me and special guests Jessica Thompson of
Green Goddess Gardens and Renee Roth of
RainScape Designs for a Drought Tolerant Native Plant Walk in his honor on Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Cluff Vista Park in downtown Ojai. All proceeds will go toward any outstanding medical or memorial expenses.
Read more and register here.
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The Pine Fire, as seen from Mt. Pinos, was contained July 19. |
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"Good morning Lanny," began the long-awaited email from Assistant Recreation Officer Diane Cross of the USFS Ojai Ranger District. "I am following up to let you know that you are authorized to lead the Reyes Peak Trail hike on September 24th as planned." Although I had confidently predicted in my July-August newsletter that Pine Mountain Road and the Reyes Peak Trail would be open in time for the Fall Equinox Nature Hike, the trail remains closed to the general public since the Pine Fire began on June 30.
 The fire, which did not reach the section we are going to hike, was contained July 19 and the vehicle road opened in August. Now, thanks to my Special Use Permit and the efforts of USFS staff, especially Wilderness/Trails Manager Heidi Anderson, our group will be the only people allowed to hike there since the fire. |
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Graph showing increasing likelihood of neutral La Nada
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There may be promising news in the forecast for those of us hoping for some drought-busting rain. The NOAA has cancelled the La Niña Watch and is now predicting a La Nada or neutral rainy season. Typically that means:
1. Near normal precipitation and temperature.
2. Greater chance of extreme weather such as heavy precipitation, windstorms, big snowstorms.
Read more at Cliff Mass Weather Blog.
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I'll be joining backpacking instructor and writer James Wapotich on October 29 at Arroyo Hondo Preserve for the second of four Saturday classes in his Navigating Wilderness series.
Read the brochure here. |
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James Wapotich will share photos and stories of "Hiking Santa Barbara's Historic Backcountry Trails" on October 12 at Karpeles Manuscript Library.
Read all about it here. |
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