LANDSCAPE OF BEAUTY AND MEANING 21 



chaparral areas; (j) broad, sweeping meadows bounded by varying com- 

 binations of pine forest, chaparral and the sea; (k) pine forest interiors. 

 It should be admitted that no satisfactory explanation can be given for 

 any esthetic experience, so far as the landscape is concerned. It should 

 also be recognized that the appeal of Point Lobos is to many senses, and 

 is composite in its nature. To each beholder some one phase or feature has 

 a special meaning. Nevertheless, it may be of some value to attempt a study 

 of some elements that contribute to the character and charm of the dif- 

 ferent landscape types in this area. 



Seaward Margins of the Cypress Grove 



The most dramatic landscape effect — in fact the supreme effect of the 

 entire Reserve — is found on the outer ends of the cypress-covered points, 

 and principally of Cypress Headland. Here, as on a mountaintop, one has 

 the sen.se of being on a battleground of natural forces where man is a 

 negligible factor. Here, where the cypress clings to the very edge of the 

 continent, one feels the prower of the elements in rolling surf churning 

 against jagged rocks ; in the outlines of these rock formations sloping up- 

 ward and away from the sea ; in this same slope repeated by the surfaces 

 of wind-sheared cypress foliage, and carried back to the crest of the forest, 

 beyond which there is comparative shelter. If, when the wind blows, there 

 be driving fog to trace its course, this effect is intensified ; for the fog 

 drifts up along these same lines, flowing over the sloping rocks and smoothed 

 foliage, and through the bleached and naked limbs of any tree that has 

 dared to raise it.self above this general slope. The tree trunks leaning from 

 the wind, foliage clinging in dense masses on the sheltered side of branches, 

 buttress formations to the lee supporting trunks and limbs, and anchor 

 roots to the windward holding fast in crevasses of the granite, even on 

 quiet days, tell a story of frequent high winds and flying spume. 



The feeling of seclusion, of being far removed from the influence of man, 

 is an important part of the spell that is east about this place. Little is 

 here to remind one of human attempts to modify the work of nature. Trees 

 carry dead branches, and skeletons of trees whose life cycle is completed 

 stand stark or lie prostrate, undisturbed. The only trails are casual tracks, 

 such as animals might have made. Here is the inner sanctuary which has 

 been reached by progressively leaving the evidences of civilization behind ; 

 first, by turning aside from the main stream of traffic at the highway gate; 

 next, leaving the supervisor's hovise behind; then abandoning the automo- 

 bile at entrance to the headland, and finally coming on foot through the 

 cypress forest with one's face toward the ocean and the end of land. 



Where the oceanward pinnacles burst upon the view is felt most strongly 

 that stress and flow of elements resulting from repetition of form ; the slope 

 of rocks repeated again and again, and re-echoed in wind-blown trees and 

 movements of fog ; and if one stands on the open end of Cypress Headland 

 — on North Point looking south, or on South Point looking north — this 

 repetition is increased by the view of three or four rocky points, each in 

 succession presenting a variation of the same theme. 



Another interesting repetition of form conspicuous throughout all the 

 granitic portions of the Reserve and adjoining coast, is due to various angles 



The twisted and gnarled cypresses tell a 

 poignant story of survival in a battle against wind 

 and fog, and drenching salt sprays 



