The Gravel Pit

Discovering the Gravel Pit

A couple of years ago I followed a path from the lower parking lot in Stevens Creeek County Park along the south side of the creek. It eventually emerged into an open valley surrounded on three sides with steep cliffs. It seemed wild and overgrown - and largely untouched for many years. This valley has had a fascination for me ever since.

Just weeks after discovering a fence appeared right across the path from the County Park preventing entry so I stopped visiting the valley. However, just recently I discovered a second path from the north of the "Villa Maria" parking lot and picnic area that leads to the fence. But for the moment at least there is gate which is left wide open. So I have had opportunity to reenter the valley many times since.

What fscinates me and puzzled me about this valley is its unspoilt nature. There are narrow paths throughout the valley, but no attempts to perserve, maintain or "beautify" the area. And in all my visits I have seen only two young boys exploring as I was.

There are no sign boards saying who owns the place; and look at current maps gave no clues. So I took a look at historical maps and discovered that it in the 1950's until recently it was known as "The Gravel Pit". I conclude from this that there once was an open cast gravel mining operation here, and looking at the shape and layout of the land I can believe it.

posted by Andy Abel @ 10:32 PM