This last week I let the warm weather get the better of me and I decided to head down to the foothills to Table Mountain, near Jamestown and New Melones Reservoir.
Photo by Gary Hayes.
Table Mountain is considered by some to be the world’s best example of an inverted stream, as approximately 9 million years ago a volcanic eruption originating near Sonora Pass rushed down a former river channel filling it with a volcanic mud and lava. As millions of years of erosion have taken place on the landscape since this eruption, the softer soils and rock of the surrounding landscape has eroded away revealing this ancient flow and its flat top, as it sinuously weaves in long segments for almost 50 miles leading from the mountains down to almost Knight’s Ferry where it finally tapers out.
Some people head to this area to climb Table Mountain’s steep cliffs, but I had come to hike with my dog companion Monster.
The view towards New Melones on top of Table Mountain.
Here are some images from our mini-adventure, hopefully they will inspire you to check out this great spot, or to get out to your own special hiking area.
At the base of the mountain, oak woodlands dominate the scenery.
Monster was impressed with the colorful assortment of wildflowers on top.
If you would like directions to or a trail map of Table Mountain or other great local hikes, visit CSERC’s Scenic Destination page!
-Julia Stephens, CSERC Associate
John Says:
March 27th, 2010 at 12:12 amVisit John
Julia:
This is another great article for those who love to get outdoors and see beautiful places and lots of wildflowers and wildlife. You do great work! I hope to get many others to look at this blog in coming days.
John