Return to Las Llajas: Pushing the Pedals

March 06, 2021

Return to Las Llajas: Pushing the Pedals

Well of course I sat in the seat and pushed the pedals and moved the levers. You're going all the way up there and then not do that? I don't think so; playing around on the old machine is kind of the whole point of making the effort to get there.

"In 1929 heavy equipment was brought in to strip the hilltop of an unusually pure form of calcium carbonate from a fossilized reef called "Coquina Limestone" (Shell or Oyster Limestone). The State Department of Agriculture found it to be 98% pure... You might wonder why anyone would mine for limestone. Apparently it was crushed and used as poultry grit, cattle feed and for other agricultural needs. This was a six year mining operation which lasted until 1935." (from Lost Mines of Southern California) When heavy rains washed out the access road, the big power shovel, as well as other machinery, was left on the mountaintop, its forever home.

While playing around on and exploring all the old equipment provided the inspiration to get there, I soon realized that the massive quantities of fossilized shells held interest in their own right. I mean think about it - how much time has had to pass since this mountaintop, far inland from the present coast, was the underwater home to all this ancient marine life? Millions of years? It is a fascinating area. The tres caballeros who rode up from over in Tapo Canyon, thought it was all pretty fascinating as well.

A most excellent morning adventure, short (very short) but sweet. If you want the mileage you'll need to add some when you get back down or, maybe follow those horsemen back to Tapo Canyon - they said it was one heck of a ride.