Bandy Canyon Trailhead to Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead
We have ventured further and further from the city, and closer to untouched mountainous plains and wildlife, throughout the last few days. The drastic differences between yesterday and today's hike was very shocking! We began today's hike under full sun, along a dirt road, beside an orange orchard in San Pasqual. As we walked along the orange trees, I breathed in deep scents of citrus. The scent, I feel, helped a lot of my classmates to wake up and gather more energy for the following hours of hiking. Besides this, I saw large fields of growing agriculture, towering mountains and hills, new plants, and animal footprints along the entire length of our trail. Today's trail was amazingly beautiful, and I wish my heat exhaustion wouldn't have gotten in the way of me enjoying it entirely. I'm very proud to be working with the conservancy, because a trail like today's should stretch across the entire length of the watershed (crest-to-coast!).
I noted that some of today's plants seemed much more heat resistant than ones from the days before. The leaves were lighter in color, and often branched off of red twigs and branches. Trees foliage expanded further, and were less dense, as if to enlarge it's sun-absorbing surface area. Roots rested closer to the surface of the ground, often slashing through the trail. Plus, some plants were releasing it's seeds as we hiked! One in particular was a willow, who's white snow-like seed puffs graced our path on more than one occasion. The plants I saw today were very intriguing, for they seemed to have adapted to the heat extremely well!
Not only plants, but animal life seemed to come alive along this trail. I saw several different birds, spiders, ants, and other insects, as well as horses, coyote tracks, and lizards. When I began this hike, I didn't expect the different lands to have such strikingly different plant/animal life. Plus, for one area to be much more obviously biologically healthier than another.
We're only half way through this hike, and I am noticing how important the last few days of hiking has been for me, my class, and the conservancy. I am very excited for the next few days as we embark deeper into San Diego's wildlife.
- Erina Chavez
Student of the Adventure Team
I noted that some of today's plants seemed much more heat resistant than ones from the days before. The leaves were lighter in color, and often branched off of red twigs and branches. Trees foliage expanded further, and were less dense, as if to enlarge it's sun-absorbing surface area. Roots rested closer to the surface of the ground, often slashing through the trail. Plus, some plants were releasing it's seeds as we hiked! One in particular was a willow, who's white snow-like seed puffs graced our path on more than one occasion. The plants I saw today were very intriguing, for they seemed to have adapted to the heat extremely well!
Not only plants, but animal life seemed to come alive along this trail. I saw several different birds, spiders, ants, and other insects, as well as horses, coyote tracks, and lizards. When I began this hike, I didn't expect the different lands to have such strikingly different plant/animal life. Plus, for one area to be much more obviously biologically healthier than another.
We're only half way through this hike, and I am noticing how important the last few days of hiking has been for me, my class, and the conservancy. I am very excited for the next few days as we embark deeper into San Diego's wildlife.
- Erina Chavez
Student of the Adventure Team