Sonoma weekend

Had an excellent weekend with Andy and Ira at Villa Pia. Arrived early on Saturday and chatted with Ira while Andy was on a 25 mile bike ride with some friends. Margaret and Winnie the dog came. Commando and Winnie became great pals and played chase and wrestle and sniff stuff. I was careful to do no work the entire weekend unless lazing on the couch, taking pictures, and eating count as work.

Commando did disgrace himself a bit by separating some of the pool skimmer parts and scattering them about. Fortunately I was able to stick them back together so no pool skimmers were permanently harmed.

This is Andy removing some scummy algae from the magic pond.

This is Winnie and Commando enjoying a relaxing nap after a good game of chase.

Funny bumper sticker near work

What is this flower?

Don't know what this flower is. It faces to the ground and I'm propping it up with a stick. It's about the size of a half dollar. The plant is growing right in the middle of a dirt road.The plant is low growing and is maybe the size of a dinner plate. Any ideas?

Wright's:Lake July 2011

There's sure been a change since last week. Much of the snow has melted, although it still isn't possible to drive to the lake. Hiked down to Silver Creek and then back up to the road on some old, discontinued forest service or logging road and then back up to what looks like a horse trail.

Then we drove for snacks and some time to read and sit in a chair at the big meadow at the crossroads. Lady bugs were flocking everywhere and flying around like tiny orange lights in the sun.

The picture is a big hunk of the stream bank that has fallen into the stream. The bank is covered with flowers and they are completely submerged in the water.

Wright's Lake June 28, 2011

Managed to drive up to within 2 miles of the lake. Took the bike uphill for about a mile, then stashed it in the woods and proceeded on foot. There was too much snow on the road to make the bike feasible. Hiked over snow berm after snow berm until I got to the boat ramp at the lake. It's completely submerged. The view is spectacular as you can see.

I think that's Mt. Price at the right. I've hiked up its shoulders to Grouse Lake and also to the cirque in the middle of the picture to Twin Lakes. I never get tired of this view and this area.

This is some of the snow we had to cross to get to the boat ramp. It was very firm and packed except at the edges and was not a problem to traverse. There was a vehicle just past this berm. He said it had taken him a half an hour to get through. I was very glad I'd oiled my boots to keep the water out because what wasn't snow was water furiously trying to get downhill right now!

I was also glad to find my bike where I had left it behind some small pinelings. It was well hidden and I walked around its vicinity before I finally spotted it.

Sun Rock Trail to Tells Creek

I've been trying to find this trail for awhile and today found part of it. It supposedly starts about 2.7 miles in from Icehouse on Cheese Camp road. I think logging and forest clean up has obliterated that part of the trail because there is no trail head at Cheese Camp. There is a forest service road at approximately 2.6 miles that leads to the base of Sun Rock. Head uphill across the huge downed tree trunk (stripped of bark) and follow the heavily eroded dry creek up. Thankfully someone had hiked up here before so I saw an occasional boot print and some cairns. At about 1/2 mile the dry creek joins the trail. It's not too hard to find as it's eroded about 6 inches below the surface although it doesn't seem heavily traveled. There were lots of downed trees and branches on the trail. I lost the trail just as it heads down after a long flat stretch (good luck) but managed to find it again. Then I lost it again at a small creek crossing (go up the creek) but managed to find it again. There were snow berms obscuring the trail near Tells Creek and the trail is wet. With the extra snow melt I certainly wasn't crossing Tells although I suppose someone with ropes, strength, a change of clothes, the ability to withstand extremely cold water, and partners might be able to get across.

I sat on a convenient log and ate my sandwich while Commando dug holes. The start and end to the hike was so-so but the middle flat part goes through a redwood forest next to a green meadow and is gorgeous. I'll do this hike again and try and make it all  the way to Bassi Creek.

On the way home we took a side trip and found the Wright's Lake cutoff to be passable. Some vehicles (very high 4WD with winch) were making it to the lake. The road to 50 is still impassable.

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.

More reasons to like higher elevation

Yesterday I took Commando to the same place he "got lost" and hurt his paws. He seems to have healed fine and had a good time running and sniffing. We didn't stay out too long because I wasn't sure if he had healed thoroughly or not. I'm sitting in my chair surfing the internet later that afternoon and discover a tick. I also discover one on Commando's head. I douse him with his flea and tick medication (it's time). I discover another tick in my chair. Then one on my bed. Then one on my pants in the laundry basket. Made a trip to Target and bought some tick killing, cancer causing poison. It seems to have worked because the ticks I've seen since have all been dead enough to pine for the fjords.

Today we went up to Union Valley reservoir and hiked down to Silver Creek campground. It was a very boring hike, more like a walk really. No ticks. There's still plenty of snow but also plenty of bare dirt. I think it's time to move the snowshoes back into the house. It will soon be hiking season again.

View from 120 Kearney, San Francisco

Flooding on the Yolo Causeway

 The road is blocked but one can park just at this gate and look to the west towards Woodland.

I had been wondering if there was any current and if it might be possible to kayak. Just to the left of the road there is a substantial current flowing south. Looks like more research would be needed.

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.

Wet weather walks

On Saturday we drove up to the Spenceville Wildlife Refuge and hiked around at random. We scrambled through a barbed wire fence, getting my knees and lower legs thoroughly wet. We hiked along an old dirt road and then went along a well used cow path that went uphill. It stopped being a path as we neared the top of the hill which was crowned with a fortress of upthrust volcanic rock. We amused ourselves scrambling on the rock and then followed a fence line downhill to another old dirt road. This followed an old water channel back to the car. I scraped my knee a bit on the barbed wire getting back out so I hope my tetanus shots are up to date.

Today we drove up to see Hidden Falls just outside of Auburn. It's a pleasant enough walk through the typical foothills poison oak, regular oak, scrub pine and brushy tick habitat. Commando couldn't be off leash the whole time. There was some sort of Placer County employee there (possibly a ranger), and then there was an open range (saw no cattle), and then there was another not too friendly dog. He did manage to be off leash for about 1/2 the time though and enjoyed the usual sniffing, digging, and hopeful chasing of imaginary animals.


I had thought about going to the snow in spite of the storm but decided I just wasn't ready to freeze and have no view. The snowshoes still wait in my car for suitable weather.

Washer and dryer now fixed

Finally got the dryer hose back on. It turned out to be easier than I thought. I did end up with a spare part, but I don't think it's important. After running through two folks at Home Depot that didn't know anything, I was finally turned over to a guy who did know about dryer hoses and he assured me that it was trivially simple and there was no need to obsess about it. Basically, it's just make sure that not much air and moisture leak out so duct tape and ducts and those circular clamp things are really all you need. I also bought a cool circular clamp with a big plastic turn key on it so I didn't have to find the right screw driver and seat it in the tiny hole and then lose all leverage as the screw gets tighter. Whoever invented this is a genius.

I would give this chore about 1/2 a screw driver for difficulty. Getting to the back of the equipment is mildly irritating and unscrewing and screwing the hoses was mildly irritating and there's the potential to cut yourself on the metal duct.

For those who might be cackling at my inability to fix a simple hose, keep in mind that I didn't own a dryer until I was in my mid-40's and there's no inborn genetic knowledge, that I'm pretty clumsy, and that I can't see things close up (like tiny screws) without my reading glasses. Okay, laugh away, I'll admit I'm lame.

Not much of a walk

Although I'd planned to go to the snow several times over Turkey Day weekend I ended up not going at all. The best walk we had was on Tuesday at Cache Creek Regional Park near Rumsey. It's interesting terrain...dry...rocks and rock layers upended and twisted in many directions from the active fault lines...plenty of evidence of seasonal bad flooding in spite of the dryness. In the summer it will be hot and dusty. On this almost winter day it was cool. I saw no one the entire day. We hiked up the main dirt road. It's blocked at highway 16 due to a dicey bridge crossing or two. There's a cool stone barn that someone has spent a bit of time sprucing up. It has new doors and it looks like someone has mended the metal roof. The stone is volcanic rock and must have taken some hardy pioneer a bit of effort to put together. It is a nice bit of engineering and rock work though as it seems to be ready to stand straight and level with nice square corners for at least another hundred years. Took a picture of this weird plant. I have no idea what it is and I've never seen anything like it. It was fist sized, a small fist. That's two weird plants I've discovered. I've got to find a botanist so I can identify these.