In a previous version of this KMZ we assigned sites on Mission peak to the Causen. In A Time of Little Choice Randall Milliken suggested that the Causen, an Ohlone tribelet, may have inhabited a single village in the Sunol valley. We found this puzzling at the time, since his triblet territorial maps in Native American History Studies for the Los Vaqueros Project: A Synthesis put Mission San Jose in Causen territory. In Native Americans at Mission San Jose, a 2008 work, Milliken puts Mission San Jose in Alson territory. Since it does not seem likely that a small triblet like the Causen held Sunol valley, Vargas Plateau, and Mission Peak, we assign Mission Peak sites to the Alson because of the proximity of Mission Peak to Mission San Jose.
Below McClure Springs75 yard long rock alignment overlooking the South Bay.Elevation 1908 ft.Some of the rock alignments in the Mission Peak area are probably natural formations. Others are clearly man-made. We believe this alignment is a member of the latter class.A close look at the stacked rocks.
Horse Heaven Trail3 bedrock mortars and 1 cupule/anvil on Horse Heaven Trail below Mt. Allison.We were turned on to this site by Tom Mangan’s blog. Thanks Tom!Horse Heaven Trail is the “road less traveled” to the top of Mission Peak. As we were writing up this site a hiker passed by and asked what we […]
Jeff’s PestlesOne bedrock mortar and five pestles near a spring northeast of Mission Peak.Elevation 1714 ft.Another one of Jeff’s amazing finds. Please do not remove any of these pestles. Leave them for others to enjoy.Pestles come in various shapes and sizes. Not all are flattened or tapered cylinders.Looking out over the nearby spring toward Mt. […]
