It tends to break easily into many small, flaky pieces which do not have the gritty feel of sandstone. The most difficult of all the rocks to identify is basalt. Basalt is the type of lava extruded during eruptions of Hawaiian volcanoes. Here it is very old and decomposed. It usually looks more like a hardened mudstone.
Some basalt is evident near the radar tracking station.
Vegetation Vegetation in this area is called the coastal scrub plant community. Coastal scrub plants are evergreen shrubs and exhibit adaptations to dry summers. The most abundant plant along the trail and visible on the hills is coyote brush. Its bushy appearance, woody stems, and small, leathery leaves prevent water loss. In the spring and fall, small whitish flowers are visible.