Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

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weathercrazy
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Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by weathercrazy » June 25th, 2019, 9:30 pm

Opening pic:

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Gallery link:
https://www.tylermodemedia.com/Landscap ... -Mountain/

WOW! What an epic hike! I've been taking some days off in a row which has enabled me to travel a little further and relax some more! In terms of the bear grass, it was passing peak at the base, clearly at peak mid mountain and just starting toward areas on the summit.

Even the drive in was pretty :)

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Clearly it's a year for bear grass...but the other flowers were great too:

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The trail is in great shape, rocky yes, but easy. The bear grass was very impressive coming up the hill, until rounding this small knoll...

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And it stopped me in my tracks! Never before have I seen such a sea of bear grass!

The clouds were moving in and out.

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Slowly small bits of sunshine were breaking through. I was hoping for views when I reached the top.

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Approaching the summit, I couldn't help but notice this tree, clinging to the edge:

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I had the summit all to myself for the hour I was there. Jefferson was playing hide and seek:

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But the views weren't all grand and large...

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More bear grass...

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Leaving the bear grass meadows behind. I only saw 5 people total, as I approached the trail head.

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Flower ID's please????
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What an amazing first trip...I'll be back!
Last edited by weathercrazy on July 28th, 2020, 10:40 am, edited 1 time in total.

Webfoot
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by Webfoot » June 26th, 2019, 5:13 am

That looks great. Thanks for the trip report. I've heard about Coffin Mountain but I've never managed to make it down there. Maybe this is the year.

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retired jerry
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by retired jerry » June 26th, 2019, 5:15 am

I don't think I've ever seen so many bear grass, nice

Maybe too many, you need something in the picture besides solid beargrass :)

justpeachy
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by justpeachy » June 26th, 2019, 7:20 am

Nice photos! We were there on Sunday and were blown away by all the beargrass. Truly spectacular!

I think that blue/purple flower is bluehead gilia. Not sure about the yellow one.

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Naturebat
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by Naturebat » June 27th, 2019, 11:21 pm

Wow, stunning photos!

How is the gravel road up there this year? Good for low clearance?
- Previously ElementalFX

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weathercrazy
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by weathercrazy » June 28th, 2019, 4:20 am

Yes! No issues with that.

johnspeth
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by johnspeth » June 28th, 2019, 5:18 am

weathercrazy wrote:
June 25th, 2019, 9:30 pm
I had the summit all to myself for the hour I was there. Jefferson was playing hide and seek:
I think there's a modern staffed lookout on top. Isn't that the same Coffin Mtn? Was it staffed? I spoke to a staffer there last summer and got a good dump of the lookout lifestyle. I left envious. The lady said it takes years to get the job.

justpeachy
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by justpeachy » June 28th, 2019, 6:26 am

johnspeth wrote:
June 28th, 2019, 5:18 am
I think there's a modern staffed lookout on top. Isn't that the same Coffin Mtn? Was it staffed? I spoke to a staffer there last summer and got a good dump of the lookout lifestyle. I left envious. The lady said it takes years to get the job.
The lookout is staffed in the summer, but it was still boarded up as of the 23rd. After all that lightning we just had I bet it's staffed now.

Assuming she's back again, this will be Ann's 30th year at that lookout: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/ ... 043015002/

Webfoot
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by Webfoot » June 30th, 2019, 5:25 pm

I just got back from my first trip to Coffin Mountain. The bear grass was still absolutely peak on the 28th and 29th (I did the hike twice!), with some still yet to fully open on the summit. The bloom is incredible. Go now if you want to see this!

Thanks again for the trip report!

ps. the lookout was still boarded up.

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kelkev
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Re: Coffin Mountain 6.23.19

Post by kelkev » June 30th, 2019, 5:46 pm

Beyond amazing. And lots of other wildflowers to see on the way up and down. Avoid the weekends if possible, I'm guessing there were 25-30 cars there today.
"Going to the mountains is going home."
— John Muir

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