Mount Wittenberg Trail

Mount Wittenberg Trail
5.8 miles
3 hours
Start: Bear Valley Visitor Center
End: Bear Valley Visitor Center
Includes: Kule Loklo Trail, Horse Trail, Z Ranch Trail, Mount Wittenberg Trail, Bear Valley Trail

Hike 34
July 28, 2013

This hike started at the Bear Valley Visitor Center.

From there I took the trail to Kule Loklo where I picked-up Horse Trail, which is a 2.4 mile ramble up Mount Wittenberg.

Fungi footholds climbed a huge Douglas Fir.

The hazelnut and bay canopy created a delightful dance of dappled light.

A downed bay tree reached for the light, creating a mini-forest of its own.

It was still misty atop Mount Wittenberg.

Black and yellow centipedes and purple flowers accented the greens, rusts, blues and browns of the forest.

Z Ranch trail ran toward the top of the mountain. It was a misty world unto itself.

I saw a foaming tree. Why is it foaming?

Mount Wittenberg Trail sent me the 1.8 miles down to Bear Valley. Ferns created a lush atmosphere.

The oaks were awesome.

Getting down to the Bear Valley Trail, Elephant Mountain stood sentry over the park.

I highly recommend this hike. The ramble up Horse Trail is longer and less steep than Mount Wittenberg or Old Pine Trails. Z Ranch Trail is short with a unique, otherworldly character I suppose from being in the fog so much. Mount Wittenberg Trail is an inviting and lush decent back to Bear Valley.