Commando Shreds (A Pinecone) January 2019

It's not all biting waves for the hound. He also like to bite little bits off stuff and drop it on the ground. Thankfully he doesn't eat the stuff.

Woods Lake Jan 2014

Because the snow level is so low this year we took a trip to Woods Lake. There was parking at the end of the road. Usually there is a few feet of snow and the plows do not make any space.

The snow, what there is of it, is hard and icy. I was glad to have the cleats. We just followed the road to the lake and then crossed the lake to a little island and ate lunch. Round trip was about 3 miles. The road climbs gradually a few hundred feet to the lake so the way back is easier.

Weather was spectacular! I was in shirtsleeves until after lunch on the way back. Finally put my coat on because it was shady and perhaps just a bit cooler.

We'll have to come up in the summer and take the side trip to Round Top Lake. Looks interesting and it's not a trip we've done before.

More pics:

Plan for a summer trip

This branch was on Lunch Island and made a nice frame for the sun

View of an island in the middle of the lake

Short trip at Kyburz Flat

We took a side trip to Alleghany, CA and couldn't find a good place to park. The snow was easily 4 feet deep with relatively steep snow plow banks along the side of the road. We ended up driving all the way up 49 to 89. It was certainly a beautiful drive, but not the most athletic trip. Alleghany will be worth a visit in the summer.

Mendocino National Forest

After scanning Google Earth we drove up to Fouts Spring road near Stonyford via Ladoga. It's all the shrubby low elevation digger pine type terrain and there are many OHV vehicle trails. It's unlikely I'd come in the summer but it was nice today. In spite of the rain and cold there were campers and people out riding their OHVs on the trail.

We drove up FSR to see if we'd get stopped by snow. We did. There was a nice place to pull off so I put on my hiking boots and we headed up the road. At first, we stayed in some truck's tire marks. Then, we just slushed through the snow (it wasn't that deep). We met two guys with an almost full grown Australian shepherd puppy and she and Commando had fun running in the snow and playing chase. At one point, he literally ran in a circle around their truck several times. Hilarious.

We didn't hike for long. It was cold and I really should have worn my snowshoes. Plus, as usual, I didn't get started till late and it was getting late in the afternoon. Still Commando got lots of snow running, snowball chasing, and dirt digging under his paws.

We headed back by a slightly different route from Ladoga to Maxwell on I-5. We saw plenty of critters: open range cattle, elk, deer, deer, more deer, deer tracks and fresh deer sign, wild turkeys, goats and a dog guarding them, and buffalo. The wild turkeys were amusing. It's the first time I've seen a male displaying and it was just like the Thanksgiving pictures. It didn't seem to working well for him because after we passed, the ladies flew across the road and away from him. Poor guy.

Dog Valley near Verdi, NV

Drove up late and found the trail head. It's actually a road normally, but it's not plowed and I'm pretty sure it's not paved for much of the way. There really wasn't that much snow and the snowmobiles (and one Subaru with chains) had made the surface nice and hard. Still, I wasn't sure where the trail would take me and if I decided to go off the road I would want the snowshoes. I strapped them on while Commando waited extremely impatiently.

It's a steady climb with the surrounding hills bare due to a forest fire in the 90's. I was surprised to see no new tree growth. The snow was very powdery and dry. To create snowballs for Commando was very difficult.

The most interesting part were some tracks up and down the hill we were on and on the hill across the little canyon. Commando followed the tracks straight up the hill and they apparently went through the deep, new snow in parallel with the road. There were a few places where they dropped back down. He found these tracks VERY interesting and could barely be removed from them.

They were animal tracks, probably something about Commando's size or perhaps a bit smaller. The snow was too fluffy to take a print. I could see tracks on the opposite hill and the critter had carefully checked under rocks, downed trees, tree trunks, and other places that rodents would likely be. In some places the animal seemed to be leaping as there would be an animal shaped hole, then untouched snow, then another hole.

I couldn't help but think of the lone wolverine, although it seems to be living west of here. I'm sure if was just a coyote.

On our way back down Commando followed the animal track on the ridge above the road. He didn't come when called. When he FINALLY came down, his ruff was up and he was very reluctant and excited to be going back. I wish I understood his language so I could know what he smelled!

Union Valley Reservoir

Took advantage of the beautiful new snow and the sun to take a quick snowshoe expedition to UVR. I stopped at the first road and the wonderful plow folks had made a nice little parking area. No one was there but someone had thoughtfully snowshoed to break a trail. We made good time down to a parking area (for a bike trail?) and then the trail ended. We went a bit further but the snow was not very supportive so we headed back.

Snowflower lake snowshoe snowshoe

Second time was the charm as we reached the lake. It's actually part of a Thousand Trails franchise. I could have sworn I saw a PG&E public access notice but I guess not. We followed the straight path to the lake, retracing our steps under the power lines. This was good because the snow was still not very buoyant. My old tracks had frozen quite nicely and made a good trail.

We arrived at the dam and Commando paid close attention to a wooden hut that seemed to have much rodent smell. I suppose it could have been steak smell, but I suspect rodents. Instead of enjoying the view he spent the entire time sniffing excitedly around the perimeter of the hut. I sat on my nice new coat (warm and dry) and drank my drink and enjoyed the view. It's nice enough but not spectacular.

We headed back along the completely paved and plowed road that lead right to the lake. I stashed the snowshoes along the way as my shoulder was hurting a bit.

Good day and now I'll need a new goal. Commando wolfed his food down and is now stretched out on his side snoring.

Snowflower lake snowshoe

Enjoying my vacation although I confess it's been hard to mentally unwind! Tried and failed to get to the lake. My planned route took me up and over some hills for the now defunct Sun Valley ski area. It's a nice and easy route with good views from the top. The snow was firm. I headed across the planned ridge with good snow and then the ridge dropped into forest. I knew where the lake was but couldn't see it. I didn't want to meander around in the forest looking for it. As I dropped down a bit I saw someone else's tracks and followed them down. Took a bit out of the knees to get down one sharp bit but it was relatively easy.

We kept dropping down and eventually got into the forest anyway. I was wanting to hit some power lines that most likely headed right to the lake. Got to the power lines and inexplicably, the snowshoe tracks I'd been following didn't go to the lake. Instead, they headed across a stream into the forest on the other side.

We followed the power poles in the direction of the car. I'm glad I turned back when I did because this section was very hard. The snow was mushy and blazing the trail was almost like real work. Even Commando didn't like it. We encountered another stream but there was a bridge. Strangely, the other tracks came out of the woods just to cross this bridge.

We kept slogging along and finally reached the marshy area just before the car. We followed snowmobile tracks (nice and firm) and then wandered around the nicely frozen snow of the marshy area (even firmer and faster) and made it back to the road.

I was glad to get the snowshoes off and get back to the car! Next time, I'll try the power pole route first.

Sun, sun, sun, and snow

I've been sick with a minor cold for a few days and finally felt better today. Commando and I drove up to Yuba Gap to see if we could get out of the horrible gray fog. Entering Auburn the fog started to lift and it was sunny when we passed the Bowman road exit and stayed sunny for the rest of the day.

Someone had plowed out a bit of the old entrance at what used to be the Sun Mountain ski area and I parked next to the no trespassing sign. Some folks were parked up the road with snowmobiles and they had already blazed a few trails for us. Very thoughtful of them.

After strapping on the snowshoes we hiked up to the top of the hill directly in front of us and then down into a saddle between three hills and then back down a ravine to the car. It was lovely weather, almost too hot. The snow was just starting to look like it might be thinking about getting slushy in the heat but maybe it would stay cold. There were a few spots to sink in, but not too bad. There was plenty of friction on the hills.

I could see the dreary, dreary fog down in the Valley. It was obvious that there would be no break for the lowlanders. I kept my sleeves rolled up for most of the trip to catch some badly needed vitamin D. It would be nice to have just a bit of a burn but I don't think I was out long enough.

Happy New Year Snow Dog

No pictures but we went up to the Icehouse area and snow shoed at the Jones Creek area. The snow was lovely. It was wet but still fluffy and, once we got over the snow plow berm it was easy going. It snowed heavily for a bit, then the sun poked out just a bit in some areas, then it clouded up again and began a very fine, light snow. Commando really enjoyed it. He ran and ran. We played several games of jump for the snow ball. My favorite round had Commando leaping up backwards and reaching for the snow and then falling back on his ass. He also played snow plow several times and lifted snow with his nose on purpose so he could snap it out of the air. As we were leaving an ambulance and fire truck were headed up hill with lights and sirens going. I hope it's a minor injury and not a fatality. It is too nice of a day to die.

Snow plow

Lots o' snow

Drove up 80 to visit the snow. I didn't even bring my snowshoes, but next trip I'll have to. We ended up at the scenic overlook on Hwy 20. The snow was about knee deep and very fluffy and dry. I couldn't make snowballs.

We really just strolled around in the woods and followed a soon to be x-country ski trail. The trees were blazed but no one had skied yet.

There seems to be a known sled hill there as some kids were leaving and some arrived as we were leaving. The roads weren't too bad.

Wright's Lake Road

The road was clear for about 2.5 miles and then it was very snowy. As we climbed, the snow got deeper until it was about 5 or more feet deep. We followed snowmobile tracks so going up was relatively easy. Once the sun started melting the top layer of snow I put the snowshoes on to avoid post holing. I actually hurt my knee near Lyons Creek and favored it on the way back. I also forgot to put on sun screen and burned the bottom of my cheeks from the reflection off the snow. Ow. We had a great time and both of us are very tired. Can't wait till the snow melts, however, it looks like it won't be until June at the earliest. Good for the drought, not so good for hiking at Wright's Lake.

Getting lazy...last two weekends

Donna came up and we took Brianna and Kayla to Red Lake near Carson Pass and played in the snow. We had intended to snow shoe at the yurt, but decided just to sled. Surprisingly, the sleds weren't very sleddy so we couldn't make much progress down the hill. The snow was also extremely fluffy so we mostly got stuck in it.

We also went to the Capitol building. The girls were fascinated by GAS's office and kept quoting that famous movie line. Of course, there were no elected officials working, only state employees.

On Sunday we went to the Crocker Museum of Art and toured around. It's free till 1 pm...great deal. The girls were quite interested in all the paintings, even the older ones. They were surprised at some of the risque scenes and we had some good discussions about the lives of the subjects.

This weekend I went up the Pacific House and hiked around trying to find the forest service road to Jenkinson Lake. There were a few inches of snow of the ground but not enough to wear my snow shoes.

Today, Diane and I went to Jenkinson Lake. We even paid the extortionate entrance fee. Commando cost extra. We parked at the boat ramp near the mid-point and walked to Park Creek Falls. Then we strolled around the campsites till we saw a possible forest service road leading to Pacific House. We met a great retriever puppy and he and Commando played and played by the falls. Nice family out for a picnic lunch with their daughter.

What it's like to snowshoe

Took this video yesterday at Grass Lake.

Grass Lake Snowshoe at Luther Pass

Drove up 50 and saw what looked like a small airplane crash on the westbound side in Eldorado Hills. Don't see anything on the sacbee about it though (now that I'm home).

I was going to try to get to the top of Lover's Leap but decided not too after all. Instead, continued on the 89 south and then parked at the south most end of Grass Lake.

Grass Lake is a marshy area and in the winter is a big, flat snow filled bowl surrounded by mountains and trees. There were many others out enjoying the high temps and beautiful sun. Everyone I saw was cross-country skiing although I followed someone's fresh snowshoe tracks for most of my trip.

The snow was excellent! There was a firm base with just a bit of powder on top to make it interesting. Even trail blazing was easy and following someone else's tracks was even simpler.

Commando had a good time running around in the trees and jumping for snowballs. I've always meant to try Grass Lake and now I have.

Exploring Sayles Canyon Tract

It's amazing how snow transforms the mundane into the special!

We drove up 50 to a little plowed out area just after Camp Sacramento. There were two trucks already parked there, but no people.

We followed a heavily traveled trail that followed a road. It went gradually uphill following Sayles Creek. Most of the traffic led to one cabin that was in use and then it was fresh snow with older tracks just visible under about 6 inches of beautiful snow. It was perfect consistency...supported weight easily...not too wet so no balls of snow under the feet...stunningly beautiful.

We just kept going up and when it started to snow we headed back. Big storms are coming in and I wanted to be below 5000 feet before they hit!

The movie is of Commando jumping to catch snow balls. He does this for fun and to get a drink.

No tick snowshoe

Jodi's cabin was available for a brief two days so Commando and I headed up on Wednesday. We unloaded and then drove around looking for likely places to showshoe. We finally settled on Billie Mack road, at the Donner Lake exit on 80. Many snowmobiles had blazed a nice trail along the stream and we enjoyed the final hour of daylight snowshoeing up and back.

The cabin was nice and warm with the brand new propane heater and we slept great!

The next day we lazed around and took a brief morning walk with coffee. Commando played with a young champagne colored standard poodle and also peed on virtually every driveway we passed. I don't know how he manages to hold so much pee.

The cute guy came to shovel off the decks and we had packed up and took this as our cue to leave.

I thought there would be a good place to go along 89 on the way to Sierraville and there was. We stopped at the Prosser Hill OHV staging area and explored the Prosser dam and a random picnic table. Someone had snowshoed along the 10 + mile Commemorative Emigrant Trail (to Boca Stampede reservoir) and left a pretty big trail. We followed that back after blazing our own trail for a short distance. The snow is GREAT! There's a deep, hard base covered with about 2-3 feet of wet powder. Great snow for shoeing.

Commando is exhausted and has spent most of the evening sleeping with only a few forays out to the backyard to remind the squirrel enemy that he is home.

First Snowshoe

Met up with Diane for a quick snowshoe excursion in the Icehouse area. There was plenty of snow but it was only a few inches deep so we didn't really need to snowshoes. We used them anyway because it's just more fun that way.

We took a mellow trip at the Bassi Falls area down to the river and back along the river bank to the road.

Then we drove up to Loon Lake and ate lunch and gazed at the scenery. Commando had a great time playing in the snow. I tossed snowballs down the granite ledge and he happily caught them and chewed them to bits...then he pretended he couldn't find the snowball and wanted more.

It was an excellent day!

Hike to Lake Spaulding

Drove up 80 to 20 and took Bowman Lake road the hike to Lake Spaulding. Stopped at the road just below Fuller Lake (perhaps called Fuller Road?). I could see quite a bit of snow from the paved road so I took my snowshoes. Almost as soon as I got onto the snow though, I could see bare dirt ahead.

That would mark most of the trip...snow...dirt (or mud)...snow...dirt...granite, etc., etc.

We made good time up to the open canal where the dirt road ends. We took the short but steep way onto the granite outcropping and then bushwhacked our way down closer to the lake. Although it wasn't particularly difficult, we had to route find through impassible manzanita stands, impassible cliffs and other impediments. We didn't make it all the way down to the lake "shore" but made it most of the way. We stopped for mid-hike snack on a nice rock overlooking the lake, Old Man Mountain and 80 while in the sparse shade of a bristlecone pine.

On the way back, we intersected the signed trail which took us to the bottom of the steep hill where we'd left my snow shoes. There were also some significant snow drifts to get through so I really missed them!

The signed trail is a little strange. It leaves the dirt road to duck under a HUGE water pipe and across a stream. It then follows a nice trail at the foot of either a steep cliff or really, really steep hill until it gets to a dry creek crossing from the PGE hydroelectic facility just up the hill. There are signs warning you that PGE may release water at any time so stay out. Well, why have the trail go here then? The dry creek crossing is substantial and you'd have no hope of clearing the boulders if any water started rushing down. You then duck under another HUGE water pipe and then parallel the lake, presumably coming down the water at some point. I think this trail goes east a while and eventually ends up at the Grouse Ridge area.

If I were the trail builder, I would have avoided the many dangerous creek crossings and gone over the granite dome and back down.

We had to scramble up the steep, steep hill in the forest area to retrieve my snow shoes...then I slid back down the snow covered dirt road on my butt. Fun!