Flores Peak is at the top of a primitive and very steep trail above Gibraltar Rock. The Wednesday night hiking group occasionally does this starting from the Rattlesnake Trail, but I have made it into a much shorter hike by starting at Gibraltar Rock. I led this hike once again for the Humanist Society. Here are my photos.
The very first section is one of the toughest parts, which is a good thing. It means that people find out if they are up for the full hike right away. We had ten happy hikers and a few of them posed at the deck above this first challenging section.
This deck is right above Gibraltar Road. Giving a nice view of the bicyclists passing by. And there were many bicyclists passing by that day! Here were a couple.
I was happy to see this fern thriving in a rather challenging environment in this rocky landscape!
Manzanitas are my favorite local tree. I love their soft, smooth bark. Many were destroyed in the Thomas Fire in 2017, but some like this one are doing OK now.
We were also treated to these Indian paintbrush flowers in bloom.
Did I mention this is a steep and primitive trail? In some places you need to use your hands. Glad that everyone was happy with this!
I love this scene of the odd rock with the crater contrasted against the brush and the sky.
We encountered Ceanothus shrubs in full bloom.
And bush poppies.
Two of the hikers, Boo and Masood, went far ahead of the rest of the group. The rest of us paused at the last overlook before the really steep climb to the very top.
At this point I launched my little Hover drone to make this short video of us on the edge. Don’t miss Merlie doing her little victory dance!
Then came the final section to the very top. I always let people know this section is optional. But this time everyone was eager to do it! Did I mention this is steep and slippery? It is not so bad going up. But coming down can be a challenge. I always recommend people bring a hiking pole and/or hold someone’s hand coming down.
At the top we were rewarded by this blanket of bush poppies. The ridge in the distance is where East Camino Cielo Road passes.
Here we posed for a group shot at the very top of Flores Peak. After the photo we hung out awhile and had our lunches. It was a very nice day without too much wind.
Here was the view toward the Harbor.
A turkey vulture passed far below us.
As we descended that very steep and slippery section I spotted a horned lizard scurrying through the brush. It took some time and patience to find just the right spot to photograph it as it warily peered up at me. For me this was the highlight of the outing. It is such a rare find.
At this point Boo told me that we could have taken an easier route that avoided the upper slippery section! I will have to try this next time! Then Boo and Masood hurried down ahead of the group. They paused once near the bottom for a shot together. They had taken a tricky route that the rest of us avoided.
After that, they left the group. Boo went to do rock climbing in the area we call “Rocky Pine Ridge” and other hikers call “The Rock Garden”. But the rest of us crossed Gibraltar Road and did the short climb onto Gibraltar Rock. Tatiana took the opportunity to bask on the rock.
I am sorry to say that the paint vandals have made an awful mess up there. But I was able to get this nice little drone video of some of us on top…