Eagle Lakes again

Drove up to Eagle Lakes again off 80 at the Eagle Lakes exit near Yuba Gap. This is a good trail in winter and spring when the days are short and the weather is iffy. It's an OHV area so during the summer and on good days you may encounter too much dust and noise for a good hiking experience. Plus, I'm guessing the OHVers would rather not be on the alert for meandering hikers.

We made good time to the summit (at about 1.5 miles) and stopped for a drink. Encountered no one and had interesting views of a half moon over Old Man Mountain.

Got a little lost near the lakes because the map does not really correspond to reality. Took a spur trail to the east end of the biggest lake in the group and enjoyed another rest.

Commando thought he could see something in the water so he spent some time up to his belly in the water, leaning forward eagerly then leaping back onto shore when whatever he could see underwater did something scary. It was very cute.

We hiked back up and continued on to the west most end of the lake and got onto the Grouse Lakes trail for a few minutes till it crossed over the (now dry) stream between a small lake and the big lake.

I sat on a sunny log and watched Commando experiment with the thin ice. I had tossed some little sticks on the top and he wanted to get them, but couldn't quite figure it out. He would push with his chest and lean forward and not reach. Then he would run out on the bank and circle around looking at the sticks from other angles. Finally he discovered that he could use his paw to break the ice and get close enough to touch the stick but he couldn't quite pick it up. He tried for probably 20 minutes.

On the way back I nearly killed him. There was a very small lake at the side of the trail and I meant to throw the stick in at the very edge. I chucked it over a log and about 4 feet out. Commando leapt over the log and swam to the stick. Of course, on the other side he can't leap because he can't touch bottom. He started to swim back out and I called to him and he scrambled over the log (pokey things on top) and made it back to shore. He seems to tolerate the cold very well and seemed to enjoy the icy water but I didn't want to test his endurance under those conditions. I'm sometimes surprised at how well he tolerates cold because he's got thin fur on his belly so he's not really bred for snow and ice...but he loves it.

We encountered two people on the way back and had no further adventures.

This is probably best in the spring, as soon as enough snow has melted to make the trail passable but before the OHVers get outdoors. It is good in the fall and winter too. It's not good enough (other than the views of Old Man Mountain) for more than a nice walk.