Adventure 008, Hike 057 - El Noque

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 057 – El Noque

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 17, 2012

Location: Lompoc, Mission La Purisima State Historical Park

Hike Info:

            Trail: El Noque

            Distance: .24 mile

            Duration: 0:20

            Elevation Rise: 70'

Description:

According to the map, this named trail was only a quarter of a mile. When we started this trail, we were thinking that is this really worth a Capture California hike? It is only a quarter of a mile, just off of the Las Zanjas trail. As we were climbing up the sandy slope which the climb occupies the first half of the trail, we were revising our estimate. It so was sandy, so you did not get much traction, so even though the climb was not steep, it got our hearts going.

But when we go to the top, we found the reason for the trail. There was a cistern—empty. But a little ways beyond that is El Noque—the tanning vats. This is where the mission would leave their cow hides to soak for six to eight months in the natural acids of the oak bark and leaves. As we came down the trail, we had a good view of the Cross overlooking the mission—but more on that in the next adventure.