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.

Rattlesnakes

Went up highway 80 to 20 and Bowman Lake road. Hiked the little loop built by PG&E called the Sierra Discovery Trail. It's just short of a mile and follows a loop of the Bear River. Saw two, that's TWO rattlesnakes. The first one was by the river and Commando nearly stepped on it. The second one was very near the bridge on the "easy way" part of the trail. It was guarding its lunch squirrel and was very irritated that hikers kept passing by and interrupting it's lunch. Both snecks just wanted to be left alone and just gave us a brief rattle.

Hike around the marshy lake at Kyburz Flat

We've been enjoying exploring the Truckee terrain. Most of it is meadow mixed with pine forests and lots of streams. Kyburz Flat is a huge meadow and beautiful all year. I was there this year in the winter and earlier in the spring. We walked around on the other side of the meadow and took some pictures of deer bones.

There are two pictures of the marsh/meadow/lake. They are the same picture, one is a close up. Most of the "lake" is marsh grass with a few pockets of open water. Many ducks and geese are hiding in there enjoying the food and safety. Occasionally they would fly out.

These aren't good pictures, but these are what look like fairy rings. There is a small island topped with sagebrush and late spring wildflowers. There seems to be a ring of water around the island. There are several of these and they are stunning. I would like to do a flyover to get a good view of them. I suspect it would be a very muddy trip to try to wade out and see them up close.

There is also a picture of Commando just gazing around while we take a quick rest in the shade. Great day, walked for about 4K, very easy and I've been meaning to do this hike for some time.

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.

Stroll near Upper Lola Montez Lake

Had both Harry and Commando on this trip. I do have some adorable pictures of them swimming and standing and may soon be able to link them here.

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Camping in Sierra County CA in June 2011

Took a quick trip up to Sierra County for a camping trip. I had wanted to stay for free somewhere along the Gold Lakes highway but there was still too much snow. We ended up at the Bear Valley campground and it was lovely. There are plenty of places to hike and we had the campsite to ourselves for one night. Highlights: Bristlecone pine, Weird flower, Little Last Chance Scenic canyon, the Little Truckee river, and Commando deciding to cover himself with mud from a seep just before bed.

Click the picture to go to my Picasa album and see more pictures.

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.

Low elevation hikes

It rained on Saturday so drove up to Colfax and took the Yankee Jim's road up to Foresthill. We tried to hike up the American River at the bridge crossing but found that Shirttail Creek was a bit treacherous to cross without a human partner to report on any broken limbs. We ended up hiking around the forest near Foresthill road and the Christmas tree place. Commando chased a deer.

On Sunday it was nice an sunny. We drove up to Colfax and then up Iowa Hill road to the Foresthill area. The river crossing was busy with folks so we didn't stop there. The hoary denizens of Iowa Hill were out in full force and stared at our unusual car when we drove by. We ended up hiking in the forest and on some OHV trails and then at the Fork House trail and also on the forest service road near Fork House.

I put two pads in the heel of my problem foot and it feels fine. Maybe I just need to make absolutely sure that it's fully elevated and I'll be healed.

Go Giants!

More Mt. Lola pictures

 

My signature on the summit log. Commando refused to sign.

This is the box in which the summit logs are stored. It would have been interesting to read all of the entries...the box is stuffed with papers.

Bagged Mt. Lola - Finally!

A few weekends ago I decided to try and summit Mt. Lola. The trail from White Rock Lake is described as about 2 miles to the 9100 ft' summit. The first time I got on the wrong trail. I tried to follow a use trail that goes straight up and I gave up because it was too difficult. I did have a nice hike around the lake though.

The second time I studied the terrain and decided to dispense with the trail entirely and go up a saddle on the dam end of the lake. Although I had a great hike, going cross country proved to be a bit much and I didn't make it.

The third time I determined to carefully follow the trail. Unfortunately, I skipped lunch and didn't bother to hydrate or eat while hiking and somewhere very close to the summit I became ill and had to turn back. This route was quite punishing once I got to Mt. Lola's final flank. The trail from White Rock Lake is not well marked and is a bit hard to follow, although, not impossible. There also seems to be a trail, not on any map, that seems to head over to Castle Peak area so be careful.

After more terrain and map studying, I decided to drive up a forest service/logging road to Cold Stream Meadow and take the trail from there. There also seemed to be a sort of road on satellite views that went to almost 8500 feet and put one quite close to the summit.

The forest service road is passable by most high clearance vehicles. It's narrow and overgrown so you'll get paint scratches. I chose to drive over the foot bridge and it felt sturdy but it was scary nonetheless. If it ever fails there will be a good 3 foot drop into the creek.

The road forks above the meadow. I didn't like the look of either and parked a few feet back in a logging clearing. I chose to hike the road that went up and this turned out to be a good decision. It goes up and up and up with several switchbacks and a few steep places. It finally ends at a logging clearing and I had to just go up through the forest, then across a boulder field, then through some mule's ears and scraggly manzanita to a saddle. Once here, the going is not bad. It's all worn volcanic rock with scrubby plants worn down by the wind. It's not very steep, but there is still a climb to a rounded peak, then a slight drop, another climb to another rounded peak, then a slight drop, then, finally Mt. Lola!!

On this trip I set an alarm every 1/2 hour and forced myself to rest, eat, and drink. It made a big difference in how I felt. Although I could tell I was at elevation, there was none of the nausea and dizziness of Friday's trip.

I chose to take the trail back to the meadow and the car. I'm really glad I took the road up because I think it was easier than the trail. It took about 3 to 4 hours for me to get up and only 2 to get back to the car.

North Fork Falls, Emigrant Gap

Drove up 80 and exited at Emigrant Gap. Drove to the North Fork Campground and hiked on the opposite side of the river from the trail. It was a relatively easy 1/2 mile although I spent time following the river and ending up in various oxbows.

The falls are pretty as is the rough volcanic rock that forms the drop. The falls are also hard to see from the top. If it had been warmer or if the water were warmer I probably would have scrambled down to the deep pool and swum around to see the falls. This might be a good hike for early fall on a hot day when the camp is closed, the water is as hot as it's going to get.

Forest Service road 19 was clear until several downed trees blocked the road completely. Someone had been there with a chainsaw, but hadn't cleared the blockage. There seems to have been a very recent forest fire (last year?) as the trees are burned but there really not plants or brush growing back yet. I don't remember a big fire here last year...but then, my memory isn't what it used to be...and it was never that good.

Late spring off Highway 80

We drove up to the Eagle Lake exit and parked at the OHV parking area and hiked up the 4WD Carlyle Road. We have hiked to Eagle Lakes before so this time we turned left onto Grouse Ridge trail (actually another 4WD road) to visit the Pierce OHV staging area.

All the roads were wet with streams running down them and big, deep puddles. Freshets cascaded off any available slope leading to the Yuba river. We had to wend our way through the mostly deserted campground because of a snow melt lake across the trail. We relaxed at the river and were deafened by the noise.

Saw a funny pickup truck with an "Impeach Obama" bumper sticker. I'm not about to make snide comments to random strangers but I did wonder why they seemed to be all geared up to recreate in the socialist Tahoe National Forest.

Today was the day for funny sights. Almost at home we followed a stretch limo Ford Explorer. That seems an odd choice for a limo because I certainly have never considered Ford to be a luxury line.

Good day, tired dog, waiting for the pizza delivery.

Stroll along highway 20

In spite of the unsettled weather we drove up highway 20 and hiked along the Dascombe Loop trail to the Pfeiffer trail and then back to the car. It hailed a bit and rained a bit and was sunny for a bit.

We normally wouldn't do this trail because it's fairly busy and there are horses. Not quite sure how Commando will do around unfamiliar horses.

It was a nice exploratory stroll.

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.

Meadows Lake

Drove up 80 to to Truckee, then took 89 north, then took the Henness Pass Road to Meadows Lake road.

It's a pretty lake with some great camping spots. They are spaces far apart and most of them border directly on the lake. There were only a few spots occupied.

I put on my water sandals and Commando and I walked along the shoreline from camp spot 1 to the boat ramp and back. Then we drove over to an open area that turned out to be the remains of the town of Summit City According to the various signs, Summit Cityhad a brief stint during the Gold Rush and then was abandoned when they couldn't get gold out of the "stubborn ore."

There wasn't much left of the town. I was surprised. I expected some old tumbledown shacks. Perhaps the remains of a rock wall or sidewalk, but there really wasn't much there.

My main goal was to see if I could get close to Old Man Mountain so we headed to the dam area. I could catch glimpses of the mountain from campsite 1, but from the town site I could only see a volcanic crag (Hartley Butte). I decided to head to this volcanic high spot to see what I could see. On the way up I passed some other hikers who told me where to locate some petroglyphs.

Hartley Butte had some great views of Castle Crags, Fordyce Lake and the back side of Old Man Mountain so it was worth the scramble up to its shoulders.

I navigated down and did some cross-country scrambling to see the petroglyphs. There were quite interesting. I shot a few pictures with my cell phone. It seems as if many had been removed (based on the petroglyph sized chips on the granite. There seemed to also be some fake petroglyphs (on a wall not the floor, on bare granite not black discolored granite, and of different shapes). There was also some graffiti (1902?) and some intials that could have been from the settlers.

Perhaps someone needs to put up some signs for the First Nations people who were here before Summit City?

We drove back stopping in a few places for some short strolls.

Nice trip and I'll definitely have to come back before the snow flys.

Fordyce Lake Trek

Drove up 80 to Cisco Grove exit and took the signed dirt road to Fordyce Lake. The beginning part, once paved, is in some ways the worst part of the trip due to the HUGE potholes. Someone has graded parts of the road because when I drove it late last year it was much worse. Once over the Fordyce Summit the road is also not good, but PG&E is doing some maintenance and they have repaired and sanded the road for heavy equipment.

We parked about 1/2 mile from the lake and then strolled along the inlet meadow to the the dam. From the dam you can see the back side of Old Man Mountain and I think I'll try to get there before winter closes in.

It's pretty, but Grouse Lakes is prettier so I think I have probably seen what I wanted to see with this trip. I may try to take another drive up to Lake Sterling.

Commando had a great time running around and chasing sticks.

Saw a dead skunk with skeleton-y goodness!

I just cannot get moving in the mornings so it was very late (4 pm) when we hit the trail at Fuller Lake to Spaulding Lake. All of the water in the streams is gone until you get to the stream that parallels the second big water conduit.

I decided to take the bridge over a water-filled stream that leads to Spaulding Powerhouse 3. The trail is fairly level and parallels the shoreline, albeit a good 100 feet below. The water is low.

There was a dead, mostly eaten skunk on the trail. It was partly dessicated (doesn't take much in the dry heat) and the skull was intact (with fur) and the tail bone (with fur) was also laid out neatly. There was some blobby, leathery looking innard that the predator also hadn't eaten. I almost wanted to take the skull because it would look sort of interesting (once the fur and gory bits had been boiled off) but I decided not to. The smell was faint. Poor skunk.

We made it over the first dam and rested along the shore. Well, I rested and Commando chased sticks, dug up good smelling stuff in the duff, and looked for critters.

I had been hoping that there was a link between this trail and the trail that follows the Yuba River so I could make a loop but if such a link exists, I didn't find it.

It was a nice hike with beautiful weather although the mosquitoes are incredibly fierce.

Slow Trip to Hell Hole

Drove up to Hell Hole reservoir for a short hike. I wasn't very motivated and left late. Reached Hell Hole and headed across the dam to the trail to the campground. It was pretty hot. Reached the trail and started climbing up the trail. It traverses a steep hill, nearly a cliff, over badly broken granite and volcanic gravel. It was hot and not very inspiring. I didn't get very far and decided I'd had enough and we turned back. Even Commando didn't seem too enthusiastic. The vulture that circled overhead was certainly not very inspiring either.

Just at the end of the dam there's a slope to the lake so we headed down. Commando needed water and there were plenty of driftwood sticks for me to throw and huge driftwood logs for me to sit on.

Fortunately there was a rocky, beachy slope so I could toss sticks pretty far out before Commando had to swim. The water is very cold and I really don't want to have to swim in it to rescue him. He is very confident. He swam out several times to try to retrieve a stick that appeared to still be firmly attached to the log jammed just under the surface.

I had noticed some weird looking thing on the bottom of the lake in the shallow water. They look like fleshy pink and white tulip with octopus type tentacles. But they don't move, they seem anchored to the bottom. I didn't touch one.

For some time I'd noticed one at the surface that was moving around a bit but didn't think much of it. After a while I focused on it a little more and discovered that a smallish snake was trying to eat one of these weird looking things and was having great difficulty gulping it down.

I watched the snake for a while and kept Commando from bothering him. The poor snake didn't seem to be making much progress so we finally left without viewing the final swallow. I hope he managed to choke it down.