You will find trip reports by Lloyd Johnson here.  The most recent reports are at the top.  Gaps in coverage sometimes indicate bad weather.

December 31, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  It was cold for my bare feet.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.

I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I set up reflectors and went for a swim.

I went swimming twice, just out to the big surf.  I caught some waves on my way back to shore.  I laid near the reflectors and warmed up afterwards.

Some of my friends set up a volleyball court about 12pm.  They were sill playing when I left.

About 3:30pm the haze got thicker and I couldn't see La Jolla Cove any more.  I packed and headed for the trail.

My bulletin board was gone.  I'd already been told it was vandalized and taken up to the parking lot.  I dressed and hiked up.

December 23, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  It was cold for my bare feet.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.

I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I set up reflectors and went for a swim.

I went swimming twice, both times to the sand dollars.  I caught some waves on my way back to shore.  I laid near the reflectors and warmed up afterwards.

Some of my friends set up a volleyball court about 12pm.  They were playing almost until sunset.

About 3pm the wind picked up and I finally dressed about 4pm.  I watched a volleyball game while waiting for a few friends.

I packed, headed for the trail and collected my bulleting board.  Black's Beach Diggers were working on trail improvements as I hiked up.  I missed the sunset, while hiking.

December 22, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  It was cold for my bare feet.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.

I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I set up reflectors and went for a swim.

I went swimming twice, both times to the sand dollars.  I caught some waves on my way back to shore.  I laid near the reflectors and warmed up afterwards.

Some of my friends set up a volleyball court about 12pm.  They were still playing when I left.

About 1pm the wind picked up and hardly anybody could stand the wind while nude.  My reflectors were a sanctuary for a few friends.

I was getting cold about 3pm.  I packed and headed for the trail.  I dressed at the trail head, collected my bulletin board and hiked up.

December 15, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.

I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I set up reflectors and went for a swim.

I went swimming twice, once to the sand dollars.  I caught some waves on my way back to shore.  Some waves just gave me a tumble.  Some gave me a good ride.  I laid near the reflectors and warmed up afterwards.

Some of my friends set up a volleyball court about 12pm.

I was getting cold about 4pm.  I dressed, packed and headed for the trail.  I watched a very red sun set before I reached the trail.  I collected my bulletin board and hiked up.

December 14, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.

I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I set up reflectors and went for a swim.  I didn't make it to the sand dollars.  I turned back early and tried to catch some waves.  I laid near the reflectors and warmed up afterwards.

Some of my friends set up a volleyball court about 2pm.  They had just gotten a game going when I left.

It was still warm when I left about 3pm, hoping to beat traffic.  I still got stuck in traffic.

December 3, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  There was a lot of mud on the beach and it was difficult find a mud-free path to the surf.

I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I set up reflectors and went for a swim.  I swam out to the sand dollars and tried to catch some waves on my way back.  I laid near the reflectors and warmed up afterwards.

I was getting cold about 4pm, so up dressed, packed and left.  I watched sunset from the trail.  There were a lot of inversion layers visible and I saw the green flash.  I left the parking lot about 4pm.

December 2, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  There was a lot of mud on the beach and it was difficult find a mud-free path to the surf.

I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up reflectors for later.  They warm me up after a swim and keep me warm late in the day.  I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I laid in the sun when not in the water.

I went swimming once.  I didn't see any sand dollars, but I think I swam about that far out.  I didn't manage to catch any good waves.

Our volleyball court was covered in mud, so all the players moved south to the trail, when they saw another court set up.  That was about 2:30pm.  They were still playing when I left.

I was getting cold about 3pm, so up dressed, packed and left.  I left the parking lot about 4pm.

November 24, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up reflectors for later.  They warm me up after a swim and keep me warm late in the day.  I set up and umbrella too, but only for hanging my food.  I laid in the sun when not in the water.

I went swimming three times, each time to the sand dollars.  I didn't manage to catch any good waves.

My friends were setting up for volleyball about 12pm.  They played until about 4:30pm.

I was getting cold about 4pm, so up put on a sweater and eventually dressed.  I left the beach about 5pm.

November 3, 2007: Huntington Beach Indoor Swim

I arrived about 4:30 and helped set up.  At 5pm we were finally given the go-ahead.  I left my clothes in a bin and jumped in.  The pool was 2'6" in the shallow end and 8' at the deepest.  There was a diving platform in the deep end, but nobody used it.  There were two lifeguards on duty most of the time.  The temperature was about 90 degrees, but visibility was only about 5'.  I spent the first two hours in the pool.

Eventually I learned that we had access to the entire facility, which included a game room and gym.  Volleyball was set up in the gym.  The game room included two pool tables, a billiard table, foosball and a ping pong table.  I played a little pool, one game of eight ball and one game of cutthroat.

I was told there were forty something people there.

November 3, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up reflectors to keep warm and an umbrella to shade my food and hang things to dry.  I laid in the sun when not in the water.

I went swimming twice, once to the sand dollars and once just for some body surfing.  I did manage to catch a few good waves.

My friends were setting up for volleyball about 2pm, but I was already packing for the Huntington Beach swim.  They still hadn't started a game when I left at 2:30.  I dressed and hiked to the trail.

October 28, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.

I set up near the cliff, where it was dry, again.  I set up an umbrella, but only to shade my food and hang things to dry.  I laid in the sun all day.

I went swimming four times, twice to that sand dollars.  Once I cut the swim short because I heard dolphins near and I was hoping for an encounter.  They never got close.  I also went out just to do some body surfing.  That worked out pretty well.

My friends had set up the volleyball court about 3pm and soon got a game started.  The games ended a little before sunset.

I took my last swim about 4pm and couldn't warm up after that.  I wore a fleece shirt the rest of the day.  I watched a very colorful sunset from the beach, then finished packing, dressed and hiked to the trail.  It must have been almost 7pm when I left the parking lot.

October 27, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

The tide had been very high, leaving most of the beach wet.  There was even a huge puddle at the trailhead.  I chose a spot near the cliff, where there was dry sand. I set up a few umbrellas and two of us tried to stay out of the rain.  I wore a fleece shirt most of the day.  We finally gave up about 4:30pm and headed to the trail.

The sun came out just as we started up.  Then the sky clouded up again as we left the parking lot about 5pm.

October 21, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.

I set up an umbrella, but only for hanging my cooler in the shade and hanging my swimming gear to dry.  I took two swims.  I didn't get past the surf either time.  My second swim was with the intent of body surfing, and I caught some good rides.

About 2pm the wind picked up and people started chasing umbrellas.  I folded up mine and started packing.  Once the wind gets like that, it's pointless.  People tried setting up wind breaks, but nothing would hold against those gusts.  Also sand managed to get around the wind blocks and bury the sheet in sand.  Soon after that a huge cloud of smoke from the north enveloped us.  The hazy sun took on an orange color and our shadows turned blue.

I hiked up in the smoke filled, dry heat.  I left the parking lot about 2:30pm.

October 20, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

It was sunny and warm when I arrived, but that didn't last long.  I set up an umbrella, but only for hanging my cooler in the shade and hanging my swimming gear to dry.

There was a yacht sailing off shore, then I learned that there were friends on board.  I swam to the boat and boarded.  They had a blanket and hot tea waiting.  I took a tour of the yacht while they circled around the reef, then rolled off the side and swam back to shore.

My friends had set up the volleyball court about 3pm and soon got a game started.  They were still playing as I hiked to the trail.

I dressed then hiked to the trail about 5:30pm.  I was in the parking lot about 6pm when I saw the sun through a narrow window beneath the clouds.  I didn't stick around to watch it set.

October 19, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up an umbrella, but only for hanging my cooler in the shade and hanging my swimming gear to dry.  Some of my friends set up their volleyball court about 5pm.

It was getting cool by 6pm, so I dressed and headed to the trail.  There was a volleyball game in progress as I left.  I stopped at the trail head to watch sunset and collect my bulletin boards.  As the sun set I saw the light separate at the inversion layer.  One distorted image of the sun, above the inversion layer shrank to a short line and turned green, a green flash.  After that the distorted image of the sun below the inversion layer also shrank to a short line and turned green, a second green flash.

October 14, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.

I set up an umbrella, but only for hanging my cooler in the shade and hanging my swimming gear to dry.  Some of my friends set up their volleyball court about 1pm.

I had to put on a shirt about 3pm.  It was cold when I left about 5pm.  There was a volleyball game just getting started.  I dressed, packed and left.  I headed south to the trail.  Once at the trail I collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.

October 8, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up an umbrella, but laid in the sun most of the time.  Some of my friends set up their volleyball court about 3pm.

It was still warm when I left about 6pm.  There was still a volleyball game in progress.  I dressed, packed and left.  I headed south to the trail.  Once at the trail I collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  I stopped about half way up the trail to watch sunset.  I shot a video clip instead of watching carefully.  I left the parking lot about 6:30pm.

October 7, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up an umbrella, but laid in the sun most of the time.  The wind was very strong for a while, to the point that people were chasing umbrellas.  The wind died a bit later.  Some of my friends set up their volleyball court about 2pm.

I couldn't warm up after my last swim, so I put on a sweater about 4:30pm..  There were still people playing volleyball when I dressed, packed and left about 5pm.  I headed south to the trail.  Once at the trail I collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot about 5:30pm.

October 6, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up an umbrella, but laid in the sun most of the time.  Some of my friends set up their volleyball court about 1pm.

I couldn't warm up after my last swim, so I put on a sweater.  There were still people playing volleyball when I dressed, packed and left about 5:30pm.  I headed south to the trail.  Once at the trail I collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot about 6pm.

October 1, 2007: Black's Beach

There were a few news vans in the parking lot.  It seems there was a groundbreaking ceremony for a  dormitory that will be built too close to the glider landing area.  I stopped at the gliderport to talk with management.

Then I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up an umbrella, but laid in the sun most of the time.  Some of my friends set up their volleyball court about 4pm.

It was still warm when I packed and left about 5:30pm.  I headed south to the trail.  Once at the trail I dressed, collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  There were news helicopters circling the gliderport as I left at about 6pm.

September 30, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade most of the time.

I saw sunset from the beach.  I was surprised to see a spectacular green flash.  The sun faded to a pale green, then became an emerald green  twinkle.  Finally, I even saw some lingering blue.  If you watched sunset and didn't see this green flash, you never will..  I finished packing, dressed and headed south to the trail.  It was dark enough that I could see Jupiter ahead.  Once at the trail I collected my bulletin board and hiked up.  I left the parking lot after 7pm.

September 29, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide where I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.

I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade most of the time.

A friend rescued a small grebe.  She had it wrapped in a towel.  Last I saw it, she was on her way to Wildlife Rescue.

I left the beach before sunset.  I dressed, collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  Sunset happened while I was on the trail, but I was fumbling with a camera and missed it.

September 24, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.  I set up an umbrella, but only sat in the shade a short time.

I spotted a hawk with a snake.  He roosted on a nearby rock while eating it.

I left the beach before sunset.  I dressed, collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot about 6pm.

September 23, 2007: Black's Beach

The view from above was very clear, so I stopped near the lifeguard perch to take a few pictures.  Then I hiked down barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.  I set up an umbrella, but only sat in the shade a short time.

I left the beach before sunset.  I dressed, collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot about 6:30pm.

September 16, 2007: Black's Beach

Parking at 11am	street parking: plenty gliderport: plenty
Visibility	I could see beyond Flatrock.
Burro Trail	very good condition
Climate	hot and sunny, wind from south
People	maybe a thousand
Activities Observed	volleyball, swimming, surfing, body boarding, paragliding, RC gliding, fishing, blongoball, horseshoes, Frisbee
Water	surf: 6' tide: The tide was highest when I arrived, then receded. temperature: 68º current: I was carried south. visibility: 15'
Wildlife Observed	squirrels, ravens, western gulls, Heermann's gulls, willets, ring billed gulls, pelicans, sand dollars, surf perch, hermit crab
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in white trucks and a state lifeguard in a white Jeep.

From the top of the Burro Trail I could see La Jolla Cove engulfed in fog.  I stopped to take a picture.  Then I hiked down barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.  The sand was just barely too hot for my bare feet.  I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade much of the day.

I saw sunset while hiking to the trail.  I dressed, collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot about 7:30pm.

September 15, 2007: Black's Beach

Parking at 11am	street parking: plenty gliderport: plenty
Visibility	I could see beyond Flatrock.
Burro Trail	very good condition
Climate	hot and sunny, wind from north
People	maybe a thousand
Activities Observed	volleyball, swimming, surfing, body boarding, paragliding, RC gliding, fishing
Water	surf: 6' tide: The tide was highest when I arrived, then receded. temperature: 68º current: I was carried south. visibility: 10'
Wildlife Observed	squirrels, ravens, western gulls, Heermann's gulls, pelicans, sand dollars, hermit crabs
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in white trucks.  They also had their camper on the beach.

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.  The sand was just barely too hot for my bare feet.  I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade much of the day.

I watched the sunset from the beach.  Then I finished packing, dressed and headed to the trail.  Once at the trail I collected my boards and started up the trail, in the dark.  I could see the crescent moon, Jupiter and lots of stars.  I could hear the crickets.  I left the parking lot a little before 8pm.

September 14, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.  The sand was just barely too hot for my bare feet.  I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade much of the day.

There was a cliff rescue.  A paraglider got snagged on the cliff near the top.  Some friends pointed him out to me.  When I looked he was already struggling to get on top of a peak.  I called lifeguards directly, while the paraglider started collecting his gear.  Lifeguards responded quickly on the beach and up in the parking lot.  A rescue helicopter circled for a while, but quickly learned he was ok, just unable to get down.  One lifeguard repelled down and helped him to the beach.  There was a channel 8 news helicopter circling for a while.

There was still a volleyball game in progress as I headed to the trail.  Once at the trail I dressed, collected my boards and started up the trail.  I left the parking lot about 6:30pm.

September 13, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flag.  The sand was just barely too hot for my bare feet.  I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade much of the day.

There was still a volleyball game in progress as I headed to the trail.  Once at the trail I dressed, collected my boards and started up the trail.  I stopped to watch sunset near the top of the trail.  I left the parking lot about 7pm.

September 9, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.  The sand was just barely too hot for my bare feet.  I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade much of the day.  I also raked seaweed and moved it to a pile in the back.

There was still a volleyball game in progress as I headed to the trail.  Once at the trail I dressed, collected my boards and started up the trail.  I stopped to watch sunset.  There was a beautiful green flash.  I left the parking lot about 7:30pm.

September 8, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I set up another bulletin board and raised my flags.  The sand was just barely too hot for my bare feet.  I set up an umbrella and sat in the shade much of the day.  I also raked seaweed and moved it to a pile in the back.

There was still a volleyball game in progress as I headed to the trail.  Once at the trail I dressed, collected my boards and started up the trail.  I left the parking lot about 7pm.

September 7, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I noticed some lifeguards stopped at my usual spot and a few cones set up.  It turned out to be a dead black sea bass on the beach.  It looked to be about 4 foot long and over 100 pounds.  A reporter from channel 8 showed up, took pictures and interviewed lifeguards.  Eventually they tied it to a truck and dragged it north.

I quickly went for a swim to the reef, did a few dives and swam back.  The water temperature was stable again, nearly the same temperature at the bottom as at the surface.  I found a halibut among the sand dollars.  That appears to be the tail of a bat ray sticking out of the mouth.  I guess it just ate a bat ray. There was still a volleyball game in progress as I dressed, headed to the trail, collected my boards and started up the trail.  I left the parking lot about 7pm.

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide and set up another bulletin board.

I quickly went for a swim to the reef, did a few dives and swam back.  The water temperature was stable again, nearly the same temperature at the bottom as at the surface. I made only a short stay of it and started toward the trail about 6pm.  There were still volleyball games at two courts as I dressed, collected my boards and started up the trail.  I left the parking lot about 6:30pm.

September 3, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming three times, once to the reef and twice to the sand dollars.  The water temperature kept changing.  There were warm spots and cold spots.  I could see only a few fish above the reef.  I could details in the sandy bottom only 15 feet below.

The sun had set and I still wasn't finished packing.  A volleyball game continued even after sunset.  I dressed, hiked to the trail, collected my boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot just after 8pm.

September 2, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming four times, once to the reef and three times to the sand dollars.  The water temperature kept changing.  There were warm spots and cold spots.  I could see plenty of fish above the reef, but I couldn't see the reef.  I could details in the sandy bottom only 15 feet below.

The sun had set and I still wasn't finished packing.  I hiked to the trail, collected my boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot just after 8pm.

September 1, 2007: Black's Beach

Ranger clothed the beach at the end of the day!  Details are in the September 2007 newsletter.

I hiked down the Burro Trail barefoot.  Once at the bottom, I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming twice, once to the reef and once to the sand dollars.  The water temperature kept changing.  There were warm spots and cold spots.  I could see plenty of fish above the reef, but I couldn't see the reef.  I could see details in the sandy bottom only 15 feet below.

A ranger drove south up against the cliff.  He got stuck in the sand and 5 volleyball player pushed him out.  He returned 40 minutes later announcing that he had a complaint and we all had to get dressed for the rest of the day.  That was about 7pm.  Everybody complied and he drove north, with his emergency lights running. The sun had set when I finally finished packing.  I hiked to the trail, collected my boards and hiked up.  I left the parking lot just after 8pm.

August 31, 2007: Black's Beach

I was planning to hike down the Burro Trail, barefoot, but the ground was so hot and I had to put on sandals in the parking lot.  Once at the bottom I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming twice, once to the reef and once to the sand dollars.  The water was so clear I could see fish above the reef.  I could even see the reef, though no details.  I could details in the sandy bottom only 23 feet below.

A volleyball game got started late in the day.  It was still going strong when I left about 6:30pm.  I hiked to the trail, collected my bulletin boards, put on my pants and hiked up.  I left the parking lot about 7pm.

August 30, 2007: Black's Beach

I started down the Burro Trail, barefoot, but the ground was too hot and I had to put on sandals.  Once at the bottom I undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I only went swimming once, to the reef.  I could again see a color difference from the surface, telling me I was at the reef.  I did a few dives and managed to get a picture of a greenling.  Usually this fish hides before I can get a picture.  This time I managed to get a picture of the tail.

I packed up my stuff and headed to the trail.  The sun set while I was on my way.  I collected my bulletin boards, put on my pants and hiked up.  I left the parking lot about 7:30pm

August 27, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail, barefoot.  It was getting too hot for my feet and I almost stopped to put on sandals.  Once at the bottom I put on sandals, undressed and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I then hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I only went swimming once, to the reef.  I could again see a color difference from the surface, telling me I was at the reef.  I did a video clip of an entire dive from surface to reef and back up to the surface.  I managed to get a few yellowtail in a few frames, obviously poor quality.  They were down deep this time, at the reef.

It was getting cool about 6:30pm, so I dressed and headed to the trail.  Several of my friends stayed behind, playing volleyball.  I collected my bulletin boards and hiked up, leaving the parking lot about 7pm.

August 26, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail, barefoot, and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I undressed and hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming twice, once to the sand dollars and once to the reef, both times with buddies.  I could again see a color difference from the surface, telling me I was at the reef.  There were several yellowtails circling, just outside my camera's contrast range.  I tried to take a picture anyway, but all I got was solid blue.  They seem to swim about ten feet under.

I saw sunset while still on the beach.  Then I hiked to the trail and up in twilight.  I could see Jupiter to the south and the waxing gibbous moon once I reached the parking lot.  It reminded me of the lunar eclipse due to begin Tuesday morning about 2am.  I left the parking lot about 8pm.  The main gate was locked and I had to go to the other exit.

August 23, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail, barefoot, and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I undressed and hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I quickly took my first and only swim, to the reef.  I couldn't see the reef from the surface, but I knew it was below when the water color changed from turquoise to a darker blue.  I followed the kelp bass down and watched the anchovies scatter when I got too close.  They were the only obstacle that kept me from seeing the reef from the surface.  I saw two sculpin in a single dive.

I saw an RC glider crash on the beach.  I was surprised how fast the owner came down to claim it.

The sun came out, but it didn't get any warmer.  I started hiking to the trail about 6:30pm and left the parking lot about 7pm.

August 19, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail, barefoot, and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I undressed there and had to hurry across the hot sand.  Safe in the wet sand, I hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming four times, twice to the reef and twice to the sand dollars, each time with buddies.  I found a comb jelly about half way to the reef.  You can see the rainbow-like colors in what appears to be the teeth of a comb.  Those colors move as it swims.

I watched sunset from the beach.  The sun disappeared into some clouds very low on the horizon.  Afterward, I dressed and headed to the trail.  I could see the waxing crescent moon and Jupiter as I hiked to the trail.  I collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.

It was after 8pm when I left the parking lot.  The main gate was locked and I had to use the secondary exit.

August 18, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail, barefoot, and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I undressed there and hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming three times, once to the reef and twice to the sand dollars, once with a buddy.  There was a lot of seaweed in the surf, but it was cleaner further out.

There was a cliff rescue.  There was a man trapped just 20 feet from the top.  He couldn't go up and he couldn't come down.  Lifeguards repelled down and took him up.

I watched sunset from the beach.  The sun disappeared into some clouds very low on the horizon.  I could see the waxing crescent moon as I hiked to the trail.  I dressed, collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.

As I arrived in the parking lot, there were fireworks ahead, apparently coming from UCSD.  It was a minute before after 8pm and the gate was already locked.  I drove out by way of the other exit.

August 17, 2007: Black's Beach

Parking at 10am	street parking: full gliderport: plenty of spaces
Visibility	I could see beyond Flatrock.
Burro Trail	very good condition
Climate	hot and sunny, wind from southwest
People	hundreds
Activities Observed	volleyball, swimming, surfing, body surfing, body boarding, kayaking, paragliding, hang gliding, RC gliding
Water	surf: 5' tide: The tide was rising when I arrived and receding most of the day. temperature: 79º current: I didn't notice any. visibility: 10'
Wildlife Observed	squirrels, ravens, western gulls, Heermann's gulls, snowy egret, cormorant, willets, pelicans, sand dollars, stingray, guitarfish, sheephead, senorita fish, garibaldi, lobster, starfish, keyhole limpet, kelp bass, sculpin, corbina, sargo, hermit crabs, coral, sea snails, anemone, tunicates
Lifeguards and Law Enforcement	I saw city lifeguards in a white truck.  They also had their camper on the beach and one man stationed on the perch above the beach.  They had a jetski too.

I hiked down the Burro Trail, barefoot, and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I undressed there and hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming four times, twice to the reef and twice to the sand dollars, twice with buddies.  The water was choppy early, but calmed later in the day.

It was getting cool, even before sunset.  I watched sunset from the beach.  The sun descended through a thin layer of clouds and gave us visible gradients from yellow to red.  I dressed and hiked to the trail, watching a waxing crescent moon.  I collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.

It was just a minute after 8pm when I left the parking lot.  The main gate was locked and I had to drive to the other exit.

August 16, 2007: Black's Beach

I hiked down the Burro Trail, barefoot, and set up my bulletin board at the trailhead.  I undressed there and hiked north toward my usual spot at Valentine Slide.

I went swimming four times, twice to the reef and twice to the sand dollars, once with a buddy.  At the reef I found the usual collection of rock fish and invertebrates.  I was trying to get pictures of soft coral.  Under about eight feet of water I scattered a group of perhaps six small bat rays.  To me this is an indicator that the bat ray population is rising.  It's still a small population, but rising.

I watched sunset from the beach.  There was a pale green tint in the last bit of the sun before it also went down.  I could see the waxing crescent moon as I hiked to the trail.  I dressed, collected my bulletin boards and hiked up.

It was just a few minutes after 8pm when I left the parking lot.  The main gate was locked and I had to drive to the other exit.

August 13, 2007: Black's Beach