The Franciscan Mélange at Estero Bluffs, by George Mason

The Franciscan Mélange at Estero Bluffs
A Walk led by Docent George Mason - November 25, 2001
Photos by Mike Baird

Below are a few candid photos taken during this educational outing. These rocks formed in a deep ocean trench between 170 and 30 million years ago. Their diversity is astonishing. Meet north of Cayucos at the parking area on the west side of Hwy 1, 1.7 mi. north of the Hwy 1/Cayucos Drive interchange. (Active) 4mi., 3 hrs.

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Pictured above are Docents Norma Wightman (Left) and George Mason (Right)
The above is a fairly large (2 MB) image intended for use in promotional literature, etc.

Docent George Mason and ten very interested participants thoroughly enjoyed this outing on Estero Bay
, just a few miles north of Morro Rock . Chumash Indians made these grinding holes - what better place to prepare the meal ? A veritable mélange or rock formations were observed including this basalt sea stack . There was evidence of earlier shore lines . We saw this sandstone permeated by quartz , and this serpentine rock . A Great Blue Heron perched on a distant outcropping watched over us . Docent Norma Wightman conducts similar programs nearby. Participants Randy and Sylvia provided unbridled enthusiasm.