Sister Weekend: Monterey Bay Aquarium and Point Lobos State Reserve

May 3 - 4, 2014
Monterey/Carmel, CA
Hikers Walkers:  Cathy, Laura
Distance: 7.7 miles (Point Lobos)
Elevation Gain: 911 ft.

 I could gaze at jellies all day long...

 The penguin exhibit was most popular - good thing for zoom lenses.

Roses, compliments of Old Fisherman's Grotto, where we had the most delicious appetizer of heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese, that is drizzled with a balsamic pomegranate vinaigrette.

Get an early start if you visit this park. We arrived just after eight, and were fourth in line, with a line of cars behind us - extremely popular park.

Got goose?

We were told by the gentleman in the above picture, that John Steinbeck's ashes were scattered on these rocks. (This information has not been verified.)

"The orange, velvety "stuff" especially noticeable on trees and rocks of the shadowed north-facing slopes is a green algae. Its orange color comes from carotene, a pigment which also occurs in carrots. The plant does not harm the trees." (source: park map)

 

Trails:
Granite Point, Cabin, North Shore, Whalers Knoll, Old Veteran, Cypress Grove, Pine Ridge, Lace Lichen, Mound Meadow, South Shore, Bird Island, South Plateau, Carmelo Meadow.

Point Lobos State Reserve 

Monterey Bay Aquarium