Volcan Mountain

Yesterday, Gail and I had a very pleasant hike in the mountains about 60 miles inland.  We figured that Thanksgiving Day would be a crowd free day in the boonies.  Our choice was Volcan Mountain, not too far from the little hamlet of Julian.

The trailhead had an opening through this sculpture by James Hubble. 

 

You have to look pretty hard to find signs of autumn in San Diego County.  The black oaks provided some swaths of yellow, though.

 

The views were fine as we headed up the trail.

 

Near the top there were many deer tracks, coyote tracks,  and what we believed to be these mountain lion tracks.

 

We found beauty in the colors of this little bush against the dry grass.  We are nearing the peak, here, at 5,722 feet elevation.

 

At the top was this old, mysterious tower.  I was surprised to learn what it was used for as I read the plaque below.

 

 

This is the view looking east with the Anzo Borrego Desert barely visible in the distance.

 

Also on the top was an old grove of oaks that had probably root sprouted after a fire many years ago.  The trunks were contorted like monsters from the deep.

 

Just one of the wild old oaks in the grove.

 

At the edge of the oaks was this beautifully done memorial bench.  It was covered in carvings of native animals and plants.

 

The armrest.

 

Passing back out the trailhead entry we paused to look at the moon above the metal sculpture.