Garland Ranch Regional Park

At the weekends I like to go hiking, when Jon ha time he goes with me, if he has a lot of homework he just drives me to nice places and parks and I walk alone.
Today he had much homework, so he drove me to Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley.
It was quite cold, not what I expect of "Sunny California", but the sun was at least shining and the trails were so steep that I didn't get cold.
Jon dropped me off at De Los Helechos Road, as my nice pink book "Day Hikes Around Monterey And Carmel recommends and I started walking through the Lazy Oaks right-of-way past a few homes to the Garland Park entrance.

I followed the River Trail through oak groves to a posted trail split and curved left, quickly reaching Laureles Trail on a second junction.

I ascended the forested hillside and climbed through the oak woodland to magnificent valley views.

Still climbing through the forest I finally emerged on the grassy ridge at 1.3 miles. The path is so steep that it had taken me an hour to get to the bench on the ridge with great views. I took a break to recover, swearing at the Californias breathtaking hills.

After some nice rolls with cheese and a refreshing bottle of water I took the Spring Trail to the right descending into an oak-filled canyon with a wooden water tank, spring and trough on the canyon floor.

Heading uphill again - and again very steep and punishing - I passed narrow Gabilan Trail on which horseback riding is forbidden and arrived at a Y-Fork.
Now on the Saddle Trail I ascended to the junction on the right with the East Ridge Trail.

Here I left Hike 52 of my book and turned right to get to Hike 51 via East Ridge Trail. I could see the trail from far and was scared that it could lead me again down and back up very steeply, but after all it wasn't too bad.

Two hours after I had started my walking I reached a saddle and a signed junction with the Veeder Trail, Hike 51. Before continueing on the East Ridge Trail I descended into the open meadow to the Hopkins Bench at a vernal pool and took another short break.

I returned to the junction and ascended the small hill to a knoll. The 360° vistas extended to the sea at Monterey Bay, but - more scary - I could see the Garzas Canyon Trail heading uphill off the canyon I would have to pass.

But first I had to descend to the west, overlooking Redwood Canyon and the towering trees.

My knees protested violently against the paths dropping down the north wall of Redwood Canyon far to quickly.
As I reached the junction to the Redwood Canyon Trail they were shivering and I was too happy that I had almost got to the canyon floor.

Passing through a trail gate I headed down the east canyon wall and crossed a bridge over a dry creek.

In the narrow side canyon of Garzas Canyon I passed clusters of large redwoods heading down Redwood Canyon.
Garzas Creek, that I reached after a short while wasn't dry, the water was merrily flowing down the stream in a narrow bed of rocks towards Carmel River.

Paralleling the creek I crossed it four times until I came to a larger bridge where I took a last break eating my last rolls and cheese to gain new power for the ascent.

After all the steep mountains I had alredady climbed the next one wasn't as bad as I had excepted, but on my way up the largest spider I've ever seen crossed the path in front of me.

Following the Garzas Canyon Trail I finally reached Hike 49 of my book. I had planned to walk even further, but now I was tired and decided to follow Hike 49 to the visitor center and parking lot on the shortest way.
Still walking on the Garzas Canyon Trail, but now on even level and slightly downhill on my right side was La Mesa, a huge grassy terrace next to a shady grove of stately oaks at the base of the mountain.

I passed La Mesa Pond, a wildlife habitat pond and reached a nice rest area with water for people and horses, benches and a trash can.

Descending on winding La Mesa Trail I passed Sky, Hawk, Fern, Siesta Point and Buckeye Trail, all on the left.

I crossed a trickling stream and headed down the lush drainage.
Lupine Loop was the last trail I had to walk today. I took the trail to the right, climbed down from the bluff above the meadow and passed the Cottonwood Trail. At a junction with the Waterfall Trail I stayed on the Lupine Loop and followed the tree-dotted meadow to the visitor center.

I called Jon to pick me up, crossed Carmel River and waited for him at the parking lot.