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Oso Flaco Lake

The Entrance
(1 of 24) (15283 views)

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The drive in was paved and passed a small shack where payment was made. The park is a day use facility that is only open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (18:00). The day use fee was $US 5.00 per vehicle per day ($US 4.00 for seniors. Because of nesting birds and raccoons, no dogs were allowed.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:07:26 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1687
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The Sign
(2 of 24) (9789 views)

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As the sign says:

Oceano Dunes external link
State Vehicular Recreation Area
Oso Flaco Lake
The lake area also provided access to a section of dunes for off road use.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:06:53 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1686
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Path To Lake
(3 of 24) (9804 views)

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A gate prevented all but official vehicle access to the lake. The path was marked by signs that prohibited equestrians and dogs. The only restrooms available were portable ones without sinks and without disinfectants.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:07:59 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1689
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Poison Oak
(4 of 24) (9826 views)

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A sign warned of:

POISON OAK internal link

The shiny leaves of this shrub
grow in groups of three on smooth
stems. They are green until fall when
they turn various shades of red and
orange. Do not touch the stems or
leaves. For the oil of this plant is
toxic to humans and may cause a
severe rash or blisters. Sometimes
poison oak will grow as a vine in
the trees.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:10:34 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1692
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The Path In
(5 of 24) (9764 views)

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The path into the lake was bordered by many trees and bushes, among which were many patches of poison oak located just off the path.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:10:53 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1693
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Moss In Trees
(6 of 24) (9791 views)

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The tangle of trees bordering the path were covered in moss.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:15:41 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1698
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One Of Two Lakes
(7 of 24) (9820 views)

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The lake was actually two lakes. The one shown here was protected and there were no paths available to explore it.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:18:37 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1702
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The Lake With The Path
(8 of 24) (9929 views)

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The lake with the path through it had two warning signs. The top one spoke of Mountain Lions, and the bottom one spoke of Raccoons.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:18:46 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1703
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An Elevated Path Through It
(9 of 24) (9771 views)

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An elevated path ran through the lake, connecting the path in with the beach and dune areas beyond.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:20:05 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1705
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A Raccoon
(10 of 24) (9701 views)

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A raccoon explored the lake's edge at midday.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:20:25 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1707
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A Bench
(11 of 24) (9717 views)

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One of several benches found along the elevated path. They provided places to sit and rest and to enjoy the quiet and the surrounding birds.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:24:18 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1713
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The Long Leg
(12 of 24) (9800 views)

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The long leg of the elevated path appeared to lead back into land.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:26:03 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1715
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End Of Elevated Path
(13 of 24) (9821 views)

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The elevated path ended at a wooden path that continued off through low shrub covered land.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:29:26 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1718
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Shrubs Bordered The Path
(14 of 24) (9832 views)

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The wooden path was paralleled by low shrubs, many of which had flowers about to bloom.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:31:44 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1726
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Many Colored Bushes
(15 of 24) (9784 views)

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Several differently colored bushes surrounded the path as it wound off toward the beach.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:32:51 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1730
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Some Bushes Were Dry
(16 of 24) (9758 views)

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Some of the bushes appeared totally dried out.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:37:57 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1733
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Seed-pods Appeared Pink
(17 of 24) (9755 views)

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Some of the bushes had dried rust-red seed-pods that, when in front of a grey backdrop appeared almost pink.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:38:11 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1734
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Path Continued Toward Beach
(18 of 24) (9771 views)

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The wooden path leading to the beach turned out to be further than expected. Note the hawk in the distance.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:44:24 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1741
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School Kids Approached
(19 of 24) (9809 views)

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A large group of school kids approached from the beach. They were headed back to the parking lot and the school bus parked there.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:46:35 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1745
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Rope Fence
(20 of 24) (9724 views)

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A rope fence appeared alongside the path as it neared the beach.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:52:13 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1754
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The Beach And Dunes
(21 of 24) (9756 views)

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The beach and dunes found at the end of the trail.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:52:13 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1755
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Plant Covered Dunes
(22 of 24) (9776 views)

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Plants covered the dunes as seen looking north from the trail.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:54:01 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1757
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Plants Up Close
(23 of 24) (9802 views)

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An up close shot of the plants covering the dunes. Note the animal tracks in the sand.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 12:54:24 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1758
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A Pipe
(24 of 24) (9768 views)

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One the way back this pipe was discovered. It appeared to connect the two lakes together so that they could maintain equal water levels.


Oso Flaco Lake external link   •  Oso Flaco Lake Rd, Guadalupe, California   •  (Photo posted Friday 14 October 2011)   •  (Photo taken 13:32:23 Tuesday 19 October 2010)   •  © 2011 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #BCY_1768
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