Ridge Road
The ride to Christy Ranch gives volunteers the opportunity to see a large part of the island and to visit the western end. The views can be stunning!
Click on a photo for a larger version
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| Starting near the Field Station, Islay Canyon Road
climbs to the top of the southern ridge. This view is looking
east.
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| The road goes right past a grove of Island Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus s. aspleniifolius)
and we always stop to look at the trees. These trees grow only
on the Channel Islands and show morphological differences between some
islands.
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A panorama looking north at the Central Valley and the northern range.
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Also, looking north at the the northern ridge
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A similar view in spring
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Looking northwest at "Picacho Del Diablo" (Devil's Peak) in the distance
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At 2,434 feet, Picacho Del Diablo is the highest point on the Channel Islands
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Another view of the peak (sunset)
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Looking south at the Sierra Blanca Ridge
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Looking southwest with Santa Rosa Island in the middle
background
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Volunteers remove fennel seedlings with Santa Rosa in the background
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A panorama of the western end looking west
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Looking southwest with a great view of Santa Rosa |
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The west end of Santa Cruz Island (including Bishop Pine forest) with Santa Rosa and San Miguel in distant background (looking west). |
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A close up of the above view. |
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A close up view of Santa Rosa Island. The sandy area in the middle is "Skunk Point" and the Torrey Pine forest is just visible to the right of the point (dark area stretching from water's edge up hill). |
