The equation z = – x2 – y2 plots to background image from Wolfram Alpha, a infinite paraboloid, or kind of a knoll (technically the background is z = – ½x2 – ¼y2 so it it's closer to the terrain). I haven't figured out if there's one equation to roughly approximate the terrain here, where it slopes up to the south, drops down to the north (and east and west), and is fairly level on top.
You can get to Oso Ridge here from the Embudito trail to the south, or from the Bear Canyon side to the north. Neither is easy or quick, but the Bear Canyon side is more compressed in terms of slope (rise over run).
I had a cheap pill bottle with me so we'll see how long the lid keeps it watertight. I'll come back to replace with better sometime.
Enjoy!
Grasshoppers&Ant
