three ridges in the west: Pine, Middle, and Blue, usually crowning the summits, but often extending down into cooler canyon slopes. They are rarely very dense, and visitors accustomed to seeing ponderosa pine forests in the Sierra Nevada may come to two opposite, and fallacious, conclusions: 1) That the pines were logged, and all we see left is a small percentage of survivors; or 2) that they were all planted. In reality, there is no evidence (stumps, historical accounts) that any significant logging took place, nor does the relatively wide extent of the stands and the great variety of age groups support a tree-planting theory. Most likely, the pines are relicts of a broader distribution during cooler climates. When the climate warmed, the only places the trees could survive were up on the high cooler ridges and shady slopes where they grow today. Chamise is undoubtedly the most abundant shrub in Coe Park, covering acres of hot, dry slopes and poor soils. Animal life Wildlife in the park is abundant. Large mammals making their home within Coe include blacktailed deer, tule elk, non-native wild pig, coyote, bobcat, and mountain lion (a.k.a. cougar, puma). Smaller mammals include raccoon, gray fox, striped skunk, Beechey ground squirrel, black-tailed jackrabbit, badger, and brush rabbit. About 170 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Among these are: red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, bald eagle, turkey vulture, raven, scrub jay, Steller's jay, great horned owl, acorn woodpecker, California quail, western bluebird, and the non-native wild turkey. Common reptiles include western pond turtle, western fence lizard, northern alligator lizard, western skink, coast horned lizard, Pacific gopher snake, California kingsnake, western rattlesnake, ringneck snake, and western aquatic garter snake. Amphibians most seen (or heard) include Pacific tree frog, the non-native bullfrog, and California newt. Once common, but now extinct in the region, were the California grizzly bear and California condor, although condors have recently flown over the park in 2020. Development and facilities The park has few facilities. The most developed area is at Coe Headquarters located at the historic Pine Ridge Ranch. Next to the historic ranch house, there is a visitor center which features exhibits about the old ranch life, a small museum and books store, and a registration/information desk. A 20-unit campground on a nearby open area provides spaces for tents and small recreational vehicles. There is a horse camp at Coe Headquarters, but