Ceanothus, Phantom Spires. Sharp and thorny. Dominant for much of the short hike in, with a manzanita species as close second (although the parking area and start of the trail is under a mature tree canopy).

According to anecdotal accounts from different climbers that use this area, it had tree cover until "Fred's Fire" in October 2004. If correct, then this is an interesting look at chaparral species well established here eight years after the fire. California Department of Fish and Game's description suggests conifers normally regain dominance from 10 to 40 years after a disturbance. I noticed a few scattered young conifers growing here, but they obviously are far from dominant now.