Friends Of Mentryville, CA
We started out by exploring some of the old buildings that are still standing in Mentryville. There is also a lot of old machinery that was used for drilling oil. This area is very rich in oil and the first commercial oil well in California is located here.
We headed up the trail and came upon a "fork" in the trail that looked interesting. We were looking for wildflowers and this "fork" looked like it would be a good place to find them. We headed across lush green grasses and into a beautiful ravine where huge oak trees were growing. A small stream was flowing down below the trail that climbed up the hill into the canyon.
On both sides of the trail, there were beautiful blue lupins. After about a half mile in, we came to the end of the trail, so we turned around and headed back to the "main" trail we had started out on.
This trail followed the small stream up into the main part of the canyon where the old oil fields were. Along the way we came upon an old oil derrick. Farther up the trail we found the first commercial oil well in our state. We also saw many beautiful wildflowers.
We did about a 3 1/2 mile hike and enjoyed every minute of it.
It looks as if you had a wonderful hike that included some beautiful flowers (and scenery) as well as some history.
ReplyDeleteKay, That hike looks wonderful.. Not only did you all get some great exercise... You saw all kinds of interesting things along the way. LOVE all of those wildflowers... Thanks for sharing your hike with us.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
How wonderful of a hike...thanks for taking me with you. I desperately need to start walking again. The winter has not been healthy for me.
ReplyDeleteYou, Betsy and George are good for me...so...after taking Bill to work at 6, tomorrow I promise myself to get back at it. Thanks for the kick in the butt.
Nothing is even green here yet, but spring promises await. The lupines, phlox, Indian paintbrush, I recognize, but not the yellow buttercup type or the first one. How wonderful to be seeing those already. And the old building, wooden wagon wheels, the oil well...how great is that. You sure have great places to hike.
Blessings and Hoppy Easter to You
It looks a great place to hike. Loved the pic of the wagon wheels and the lovely wild flowers. It makes you feel good after a hike. I must start again now the weather is cooler.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures! I enjoy hikes as well especially on trails with waterfalls. I'm over in VA though near Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Mountains. How interesting to run across an old oil drilling site! Looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDelete