Iron Mountain

I've had my sights set on Iron Mountain in Poway for quite a while. Finally, Rob, Linda and I came out and hiked to the top of the mountain. It was very hot in September but got a break from the heat for a couple of days toward the end of the month. We reached the peak and kicked back and ate a good lunch as the vultures flew overhead. The day was pretty hazy but still really cool so see the views from the top. The views were better with the eyes. The camera makes them come out even hazier than it really is. In the picture above you can see Iron Mountain in the background.

Black Canyon

My buddy Dave and I got to take our daughters for an excursion up Black Canyon Creek. The creek was almost ready to dry up but the trickling water that was flowing was really enjoyable. The weather was perfect and we all had a good time. The girls seemed to really enjoy it. Dave and I did some swimming and jumping off the boulders in the main pool. I couldn't talk the girls into swimming this time. It was a great day for wildlife viewing. We seen two water snakes and caught one of them. We seen a crazy squirrel way out on the very ends of some oak tree branches eating acorns, and what was really cool was that we encountered a huge Toe Biter water beetle eating a frog. I can't wait to come back here after a couple of heavy storms hit.

Volcan Mountain Summit 7/30/2011

About 60 miles east of San Diego, the Volcan Mountains rise to a height of a little under 5400 feet above sea level. Their rounded summits are an expanse of grassland mixed with groves of oak and cedar. Rob and I got an early start as the forecast was for very hot monsoonal weather with afternoon thunderstorms brewing. It was a good day for wildlife viewing. We seen two deer, grey mountain squirrels, a horny toad, and a bobcat crossing the road. Beautiful hike.