This mesa is very similar to the one East of the cabins that we explored the day before.  The plant life is similar and the ground is covered in the same basalt rock chunks and pale brown soil.  This one however is covered in longitudinal grooves that include there own slightly different ecosystems.  In the small valleys that these grooves form there are huge sage brushes and game trails winding through the relatively dense vegetation.  There are cattle hoof prints made when the soil was muddy, they are deep and offer shelter for spiders to build there webs in.  I feel exposed here and yearn for the safe secluded feeling I get in the valley.  Although the view is absolutely gorgeous I feel somewhat out of place as I see cars roaring down the highway.

Small shrubs and grasses

The vegetation consists of small shrubs, usually no more than 12″ tall, and grasses. There are two primary types of shrubs visible; one with a reddish brown hue and the other a greenish tan. The grass is mostly dry, and tan in color.

Birds

Several birds can be heard, generally with short calls. They may be nesting along the cliff face, or perhaps in clumps of shrubs and trees that are visible at a distance.  Our view also overlooks a marshy stream feature that provides habitat for many animals.

Soil

The soil seems fine and powdery, with a reddish brown hue. There are many small rocks, 1/8″ – 1/2″, as well as larger pebbles and stones. Larger rocks are more sporadic in their placement.

Channels

Looking south, the plateau extends as far as I can see. Nearby, there are channels eroded from the bedrock. These channels range from 6′-20′ deep, and 15′-50′ wide. Larger convergences are not directly visible, but were encountered on our hike to this location.

Large Features

To our northwest, and around to the southwest, is a large distant ridge. The ridge shows signs of massive shearing, and many streams are left hanging as waterfalls.

Deep Lake is visible to the southeast, as well as the pothole and channels that we visited on the first day.

Looking northeast across the valley, I see the rock slope trail that took us to the top of the mesa, on our way to the outcropping (dubbed ‘La Mesa’). The base camp is also visible, as is Umatilla rock and the saddle.

To the south is generally smooth, slightly channeled terrain. There are occasional jutting rock formations. These formations seem to be less than 50′ tall.

Channel

The channel is approximately 10′ deep. Large stones, 6″ – 2′, cover the noddom and sides. There are piles of these stones.

Several types of shrubs grow in the channel, including sage. Most of the shrubs range between 1′ and 5′ tall. They are generally not tall enough to be visible from a distance, as they are shorter than the edges of the channel. Several dead shrubs have left twisting limbs and branches.

Spillover

The rock face seems to have been eroded away in sections where the channel meanders close to the edge of the plateau. This has left gaps in some places where water could cascade to the valley floor below. One nearby opening appears to be 30′ to 50′ across.

Hoof prints

On the level ground, near the channel, we notice hoof pronts from grazing cattle. Some of the prints are sunken 2″ – 4″ into the ground, indicating that there may have been a decent amount of moisture in the soil at some time.

Lichens and moss

Many of the nearby stones are spotted with various colors of moss. The colors are primarily amber, green, and occasionally dapples of red.

Wind

The wind feels to be rolling in from west northwest. It is generally still or faint.

Sky

The sky is overcast, and the air seems to be increasing in humidity. To the northwest, there are a few patches of blue sky along the horizon.

Clouds to the west

To the west, clouds seem to be lined up along the large land mass, and may spill over. These gathered clouds, however, do not seem to threaten our location, as the general motion of the sky is slow and southward. The clouds would seemingly flank our camp.