San Simeon Point Trail - California Central Coast

In addition to Moonstone Beach and Cambria (my last post), there are many more amazing things to see and experience along Hwy 1 (pacific coast highway). One of those things is the San Simeon Point Trail. Despite being right across the highway from the visitor center for the William Randolph Hearst Castle, this great trail is rarely visited. 

 The trail, pier, and what is left of the little town of San Simeon, is now part of W.R. Hearst SP.

Taken from the trail, this photo shows the little state park. Hearst Castle can also be seen in the upper left hand corner. If you are ever in this area, you MUST see the castle. 

From the parking lot, you turn right at the base of the wharf. 

 At this point, the trail leaves the beach

 obligatory b&w

Sometimes the trail gets a bit close to the cliff edge

and sometimes the trail erodes down the cliff

 at the point

 around the point

Initially, I couldn't see the steer on the right, and for a very tense second or two, I totally thought the one on the left was a bear! 

• About four miles north on hwy 1, is the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Older posts here.
• About one mile further on hwy 1, is Piedras Blancas Light House.
• Hearst Castle is right across the road (hwy 1). I will post something on this place soon.
• About 7 miles south on hwy 1, is Moonstone Beach/Cambria (from my last post).
• Morro Bay/Morro Rock is about 30 miles south on hwy 1) also a must see. Old post here.
• The 150 mile coastline from here to Monterey is gorgeous. Further, the 25.-30 mile stretch in the Big Sur area, is quite possibly the most beautiful and rugged coastline in the country (if not the world). At this moment hwy 1 is closed in the Big Sur area due to a major landslide.

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Porcupine Wash Petroglyphs - JTNP

The Pinto Basin is about 250 square miles of what most people would refer to as barren and desolate desert. The main park road skirts the edge of it, but rarely does a car stop for anything more than a quick glimpse around. At first glance, you would think it to be a very formidable wilderness. You wouldn't be wrong in the slightest bit. Especially so, during the summer months. This is the hottest and driest area in the park, and those conditions have cost people their lives. I believe three in the past year alone.

The basin is outlined in red. The three surrounding mountain ranges are also desolate. It's hard to believe now, but this area was once lush, swampy, and even had water flowing through it. Clearly, that was a long time ago.

In almost all cases in the desert, where there was water, there was also people. It was no different here. They didn't leave a lot of evidence, but they did leave some! We'll get to that in a minute. First, a few pics of the beautiful (in my eyes) scenery.

embiggen this one

Now to the petroglyphs. We were traveling down Porcupine Wash (still in Pinto Basin), keeping this rock jumble on our right. Our destination is that dark rock (that looks like Pac-Man) just to the left of center.

 Close

 Closer

 There! If you saw my last post, you will see that the petroglyphs on this rock very much resemble the ones included there. These are in much better condition. In additions to the barbells, please note the faint "sunburst" image near the brush on the right side of the photo.

 There was also a nearby rock shelter. There was soot on the overhanging rock to the right. I don't know when this spot was last used, but I'm pretty sure it was a long long time ago.

 My favorite find of the day was this fossilized shell. I believe it's a freshwater snail (fossil) I was amazed that it was still intact. I moved it into a safer spot and hope it survives for a lot longer.

 In the middle of this photo, you can see my wife exploring.

 I believe this rock material is called Hornblende. 

 It wasn't easy getting into the middle of this jumble of rocks, but there I am.

Yours truly...

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Mammal fossils relating back to the stone age have been found in the Pinto Basin. Also, traces of very early human presence.

Stirrup Tank Adjacent Petroglyphs JTNP

Although this isn't a large site, it is noteworthy because of the type of petroglyphs that are there. Plus, it is in an absolutely gorgeous and rugged area. 

From here it looks like a nice and easy hike across this valley. That thought ends in about a hundred yards...

...when you run into this! Climbing down into, and then up out of this is actually the easiest way to go. During major storms, water rushes down these little gullies at amazing speed. Not a place you want to be stuck in.

 Plenty of gorgeous scenery

 This rock is our destination

Although there aren't very many of them remaining, the predominant petroglyphs at this site are the "barbell" looking symbols.  

There are many opinions relating to what exactly the "barbell" symbols represent. My granny told me that it represents a meeting between two people, or two groups of people. If there is a third circle in the middle, it represents a third party acting as an intermediary, or mediator. I believe her...

 It's always nice when mother nature graces us with a few clouds for our photos.

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Laguna Niguel Lake

Another departure from the desert.

This lake is just down the hill from where we live, and is part of our local park. It's a great place and we can walk to it in just a few minutes. 

For those of you who are familiar with my granddaughter Tay, this is her younger brother. He's a bit older and bigger than this now. Either way, he is still a maniac.

It's a great place for fishing and hiking.

A common site just about everywhere this time of year.

Just a few of the Canadian Geese that spend winter and spring here. Some have even stopping migrating and seem to live here full time now. I'm pretty sure that most of these guys are gone though.

I'm not a bird expert, and don't usually post photos of them, but what the heck. They are pretty cute.

Boat rentals and one lonely goose.

Great Tailed, or Mexican Grackle. These are very common around these parts and are very much characters. They are also very smart, and will even hold a conversation with you (in their language).

Thanks to our amazing rain this year, the water level is almost to the top of this picnic table right now (if it was still sitting there). It even spilled a lot of water over the dam at the other end. The drought is over!

Sulphur Creek fills the lake

Not much of a photo, but I liked the reflections

No joke! People occasionally find them in their yards and gardens.

Time to go...

More to come relating to this place. There was once an Acjachemen/Juaneno Indian village here. Unfortunately, very little of their presence still remains today. 

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