Covid-19: Tassajara

This afternoon David and I took a drive—out to Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Or almost: we got within a mile, but then decided to stop and turn around, and let the practitioners have their moment of Zen. Literally, in this case.

Well, the Zen part was literal; the moment has stretched out to a few extra weeks already. Tassajara has two practice periods, September to December and January to April. By now, they would normally be open to paying guests—which income I expect is important to them. But for now, they will remain closed through June. And longer? Time will tell.

The reason for the trip was to staple the current USFS forest restriction orders (re campfires) and social distancing guidelines (now that this part of the Ventana Wilderness has opened again, though the western, coastal, Big Sur side remains closed) to a few trailhead signs: at Los Padres Dam, on Cachagua Road; and on Tassajara Road, the Pine Ridge Trail, Horse Pasture Trail, and Church Creek Trail.

The road to Tassajara is 18 miles long, 14 of it unpaved, about half of that currently nicely graded, the rest of it, not so much. And today it was raining, which kept my hands firmly clutched on the steering wheel and the rest of me very glad that I have an AWD Subaru, with "manual" discretion. The final many miles are downhill, with steep dropoffs to the right—and you really don't want to burn your brakes, or drive over the edge. As David commented, seatbelts wouldn't save you.

The rain meant clouds meant no views, which was a shame, because this was David's first time venturing out this way. Though then again, it reminded me of my first trips down many of these Ventana Wilderness trails, usually in the dark, on Search & Rescue missions. When you finally do get to see the terrain in all its glory, maybe it's that much better?

David and I vowed to come back, in better weather—when it's not too hot and when there are no bugs, so not in summer; so maybe, really soon? Before summer hits?

I didn't take any photos today (I was too busy clutching the steering wheel, plus: no views), but here are a few from previous visits.

Pine Ridge Trail, heading to Pine Valley from China Camp

Tassajara Road

Church Creek Divide

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Today Monterey County's confirmed cases are up 13, to 341; deaths remain at 8.

Get outside, if you can: it's beautiful out there. Maintain social distancing. Be well.