Cussin' Jim Canyon

We went to Cussin' Jim's former domain on a hot day. To get to the trail, it is necessary to thump and bump along a rocky road for a few miles through the Trabuco Creek wash. There were patches of Matilija Poppy in bloom in the wash but alas, I was not driving so I could not stop to take a picture. The road eventually led into a wooded canyon. The creek was full and the woods were lush. People were fishing, and we paused while a proud father photographed a good sized fish - trout? - caught by his young son.

We parked and walked along a road for a mile or so. There are cabins along the road, and plenty of lovely domesticated plantings mixed in with the natives. The cabins themselves are intriguing. There's no electricity here, no telephone, no sewage lines. Some of the cabins have propane tanks. At least one had a system that drew water from the creek.

The shady road meanders past a cabin	Agave americana planted alongside the road (Jeff's photo)
Ridge rising behind a cabin	Solar-powered satellite dish for roughing it with all the comforts of home
Eye-catching roses and bright red geraniums

Finally we arrived at the trailhead. Along the trail we saw lots of naturalized fig (below) and vinca. Apparently the figs were planted by the (un)saintly Jim Smith himself.

Figs growing wild along the trail

The fig vines make a shady arch along the trail

There were lots of butterflies, including many Echo Blues (I think), Swallowtails, and the one pictured below, which I have not been able to identify. I took lots of butterfly pictures but this was the only type of butterfly that held still long enough for my camera.

Unknown butterfly