Leaving Ventura Harbor
Looking off the side of the boat, the water was surprisingly still, and I snagged this shot while we were waiting to cast off.
Elan + Fujicolor Superia 200.
{ Monthly Archives }
September 2007
Sunset on the Islands
Sunset from the Channel Islands backpacking trip… these from Del Norte Camp.
Elan + Fujicolor Superia 100
Tiffen Circular Polarizer
On the Trail: Del Norte, Santa Cruz
Emily and I recently went backpacking on the Channel Islands, hiking to the Del Norte campsite on Santa Cruz island. A wonderfully romantic weekend of 1,200 ft climbs into the middle of nowhere carrying 35 lb packs so that we could get up at the buttcrack of dawn to photograph sunrises. And she hasn’t broken up with me yet! See why I love her?
It was fantastic really. The whole time it really felt like we were the only ones on the entire island… there were only two other campers we saw. There is no fresh water along the trail or at the campsite (except maybe during a few weeks in spring). Pack in plenty of water and supplies, because the boat doesn’t return until the next day! We took 7 liters of water, and used the better part of six with the hike in and out, normal drinking at camp, as well as for coffee and oatmeal in the morning.
These photos with the Elan + Fujicolor Superia 400.
The trail is arduous, especially with packs. The net 1,200 ft elevation gain over 4.5 miles includes descending into and climbing out of two canyons along the way. We were almost bushwacking at points.
A few signs along the way helped.
Spectacular mountain views… less spectacular on the way up than down as I recall.
Sunrise at Del Norte Camp.
On the Trail: Mt Waterman Sunrise Decent
On the decent from Mt Waterman, we passed through several little valleys and canyons, most with some kind of yellow wildflower. I caught this bee up close. I really need a macro lens…
Elan + Fujicolor Superia 200
On the Trail: Mt Waterman Sunrise Climb, B&W Shots.
A couple of weeks ago I went out to Mt Waterman at the butt-crack of dawn in an attempt to photograph the sunrise from the top. We left Palmdale at 4:00am… oof. Didn’t quite make it to the peak by sunrise, but definitely got a lot of good photos. I’m still scanning the ones of the actual sunrise, but here are some B&W shots I took about an hour after sunrise in the slanted light.
Elan + 28-105mm + Kodak BW400CN
Is it me or is there a face in the one at left?
A curiously leaning tree. I like how it came out as a silhouette.
A stump.
Someone had built this contraption in attempt to extend the standing room at the peak, overlooking the valley. I didn’t trust it, but it made a good photo in itself.
B&W is all about interesting exercises in contrast and luminosity.
TRAIL STATS:
Mileage: 7.0
Elevation delta: ~1,300 ft
Time on trail: 5 hrs (lots of photography stops)
Nearest highway: CA-2, mile marker 58.00
