Loch Leven Lakes

We drove up 80 and exited at Yuba Pass. We took a right and then a left along Lake Valley Reservoir. The road isn't paved but it's not a bad road. Continue up and then there's a left to take at a sign to Huysink Lake. Just past the tiny lake is the marked trailhead to Salmon Lake.

I really don't know why this isn't the popular trail to the Loch Leven lakes. The road is relatively easy to drive...I took my Jetta up here on an earlier trip. The trail is only 2 miles to Lower LL, and, it's relatively level with just some mild, short ups and downs.

We made short work of this section of trail and stopped on some rocks at Lower LL for a snack. I was tempted to visit the other lakes, but I'd made such a late start that I didn't want to risk it. Although the remaining 3 miles was downhill, I hadn't gone that way before and if I missed the trail I might end of spending time getting back on it.

The main trail, the popular, heavily used trail was not very nice. It's well marked until the train tracks, but it's very rocky so you have to watch your step. After the train tracks the trail isn't particularly well marked. Also, I personally would have followed the creek down to the road. There are certainly many granite slabs to scramble over, but not many spectacular views because of the trees. The Salmon Lakes section has a lot of great views.

I don't mean to say this is a bad hike...I would just recommend coming in from the other direction!

SPCA-Bad Day-Good Day

SPCA Saturday took Ruby, a brindle pit mix to a Lutheran church fair. She is a lovely dog and really enjoyed the day. She accepted belly rubs and sniffed everything and enjoyed treats from the kids. If she hasn't been adopted by the weekend I think I'll showcase her for an hour or two at the shelter on Saturday.

Bad Day I was in a bad mood of Sunday and couldn't really get around to anything. I forced myself to head for the mountains with the hound. I was bored with highway 80 and 50 so I decided to see if I could make it to 4. I ended up driving around somewhat aimlessly, taking first one road and then another. I ended up on 88 (also bored) and took a turn to Salt Springs reservoir. It's 12 miles from 88 along a good dirt road. It finally ends up along the Mokelumne River. The reservoir itself isn't much to see although it looked like the trail along the northern edge (Blue Hole) might be fun on another day when I have time to do 8 miles. Commando did some rodent chasing but didn't get too much exercise. We also stopped along the river and he did a little more chasing and sniffing there.

Good Day On Sunday I was feeling a little more cheerful so we drove up 88 to see if the aspens in Hope Valley were in full fall color. They were nice, but not quite ready for prime time yet.

At the intersection with 89 we drove up Burnside Lake road to...wait for it...Burnside Lake. This is a beautiful, beautiful lake at about 8100 feet elevation. Commando and I hiked around a beautiful meadow at the upper end of the lake and then hiked around the lake. It was a pleasure to stroll along without having to climb or drop.

We had passed some people on horseback on the way up and I spied them across the lake on my way around. One of the horses decided to kick up a little and there was a bit of a rodeo catching it and getting back on and headed out. They were long gone by the time I got back to the dirt road, but I could see the extra scuffed up marks as the pinto was apparently still kicking and prancing.

I took off my boots and waded into the water while Commando played in the water and thought about chasing some mergansers. There was a chewed up old tennis ball in the water and I tossed that for him as well. The view was beautiful, sunny, cool breeze but hot in the sun (but not too hot). I could have stayed longer.

On way back headed over Luther Pass to South Lake Tahoe and drove through the Angora fire damaged area. It wasn't as bad a fire as it seemed, the earth wasn't particularly scorched and I figure if there are still pine needles, it wasn't that hot. Quite a few homes were destroyed though and there was a lot of construction. I might feel badly if my home didn't burn because everyone else will have a beautiful new home and mine will still be that tiny little 2/1 cabin built in the 40's.

Drove up the Angora Lakes road...wow. It passes along a NARROW ridge overlooking Fallen Leaf lake and the Angora fire area. It was a narrow ledge for hiking let along driving along it with oncoming traffic.

It's about a 1/2 mile to Lower Angora and that's as far as I went. I will have to go back and try for Upper Angora (about another 1/2 mile) but as soon as the snow gets too deep, no more hiking here.

Lake Margaret Success

On Saturday the hound and I drove up through Placerville. There was a big traffic jam getting through the lights and I snapped a pic of a No Pedestrians sign. Obviously it's dangerous!

We turned onto the Mormon Emigrant Trail to Highway 88 and pulled off just past Kirkwood at the Lake Margaret trail head parking lot.

The parking lot was full although some people were sitting on some rocks eating lunch. My recommendation, move to another location if you're not going to be staying for a long time. I was resigned to parking along 88 when I noticed some people getting into a Jeep. I drove back up. They appeared to be futzing around so I went up and politely asked if they were leaving. They seemed to be eating lunch and decided to drive off leaving the parking space open. I felt a little guilty as I kind of forced them to leave, but there are prettier spaces overlooking Caples Lake just a bit ahead.

Commando and I hit the trail around 1 pm, a little later than I'd planned, but still earlier than last weekend. I was worried that with the parking lot being full the trail would be busy. Not to worry, I encountered almost no one. There was one big, big group at the mini-summit after the log over Caples Creek and then only 4 people at the lake. If we'd gotten an earlier start, we would have seen many more people.

The trail is pretty easy and there are a few pine forest duff level spots as well as some soft meadow spots as well. The craggy granite bits are not too difficult, although they are more challenging than on some hikes.

Toward the end, I was wondering why the trail didn't just go along the bottom of a dry creek when suddenly the trail cut across the creek and headed toward a forbidding cliff. I assumed the trail would cut along the base of the cliff but I was wrong. Instead, the trail headed right to the cliff and then, quelle horror, headed right up a relatively steep granite slab. This is looking up at the climb. There is a round boulder almost in the top center just at what looks like the base of the pine tree. After scaling this steep section, I would have to scramble over this really, really big and fat Mastiff sized rock wedged in between two granite thighs.

I made it up and over the boulder just fine. This is the view looking down. It's a little scarier in this direction isn't it? Commando of course scampered up and down repeatedly and even poised at an even higher granite rock to stare down at me and wonder what was taking me so long. I was apprehensive after this climb, and looking at the surrounding cliffs because I really didn't want to add a hard climb to the end of the hike. It was getting somewhat late and I'm not the fastest hiker in the world. I certainly didn't want to get here and then decide I couldn't make it the rest of the way.

Not to worry, just over Mastiff rock and about 50 level steps is a cut in the cliff and through the cut is the lake. I strolled along and thought I might have the lake to myself when I noticed some people fishing. I sat and ate the remainder of my snack and drank some Vitamin water and then headed back.

The hike back was not quite as fun. The Advil was beginning to wear off and my foot started bothering me. I just took it slow and stopped to rest and made it fine back to the car.

Maybe next weekend if the weather holds I'll try for Lake Aloha again near Echo Summit.

Bad Haiku

Commando the dog

Snoring in his soft basket

Dreams not of his name.

Summer trees leaves rustle

Squirrel stops to flick his tail

Go away! My nuts!

Gaudy pink and flame

Flares the tired sun out west

More west sun awakes.

Granite beats the feet

Climbing beats lungs with no air

Why is hiking fun?

Random walks at Carson Pass

Saturday I cleaned a bit and rearranged the living room. It rained part of the day here and was raining in the mountains.

Sunday was supposed to be overcast but dry, and was supposed to get drier as the day progressed.

I ignored the solidly gray, rainy-looking, ominous, dark, sky and decided to go hiking anyway. I meant to include my warm coat, but forgot it. The drive up 50 and over the Mormon Emigrant Trail to 88 was very nice, if you like rain and fog. On 88 at Silver Lake the sky began to clear, although it was still easily 80 per cent cloudy. I was determined to make it to Hope Valley to see if the aspens were golden yet.

Made it to Hope Valley and the aspens were still green, although, perhaps they are thinking about turning golden any minute now. There was fresh snow on the highest peaks, at least what I could see of the peaks with their rain cloud hats.

Drove off a forest service road in Hope Valley and poked along a stream for about 1/2 an hour. Commando didn't really consider this a great hike, but he did hop back into the car.

Just over Carson Pass I decided to take the service road to Schneider Camp. It soon turned into dirt and with about a mile to the camp I decided to finish by walking. Commando and I got out and were about 10 yards from the car when some guys on ATVs came down. I noticed that one had a rifle holder stowed away (and a hunting dog). I stopped him and asked if it was hunting season. He said yes. I said I'd better go back because I didn't have any orange on and neither did Commando. He said I'd be okay if I stayed on the road and if Commando was a "good dog" and didn't go in the woods. Well, Commando is a good dog, but he's going to go into the woods, plus, I'm not so sanguine about the safety of the road so we headed back to the car.

Near Caples Lake there is a turnoff for the Margaret Lake trailhead. I took that and Commando and I headed off for our third excursion. This is really a pleasant trail and I'll have to take it when it's earlier in the day and I'm properly outfitted. It heads down, then is flat across a very nice meadow with a stream (almost a river) and then heads down again. I stopped at the second down place because it was getting late. The sun started to come out on the hike and was out for most of the hike back. Great!

There is a log crossing of the stream which is a little scary, but I made it.

New walk

Left work early to take care of some business. Picked up Commando and drove up 5 to 99 and exited at Howsley road. If you turn to the left it dead ends and you can walk along a canal levee. It was a good spot...very deserted but scenic at the same time. Commando tried to give some jackrabbits some exercise, however, he's fast for a dog but slow for a jackrabbit.

I'll definitely be back for this walk.

Pilling the Dog

Commando had an ugly bout of diarrhea Friday night so we went to the vet on Saturday. I feel sorry for the techs who had to get a fecal sample from the paper towels, regular dish towel and washcloth in the double bag.

I'm going to bet a parasite, but we'll find out for sure on Tuesday.

In the meantime, I have to dose him with Flagyl twice a day. The vet tech recommended opening his mouth and shoving the pill deep in his throat and then holding his muzzle closed and pointed up and stroking his throat until he swallows. She says the pill is very bad tasting and the dog won't eat it again if he tastes it.

Last night was a bit of a circus and he spit the pill out once. Some slobber was also spread around liberally but I think the pill got downed. This morning was easier although I'm guessing as the days progress it will be harder to trick him into coming over for some affectionate petting.

Twin Lakes Twin Lakes

Finally made it all the way to Twin Lakes! It's a grueling climb and there are difficult rocky spots (especially when one is clumsy) but the lake is worth it.

Commando and I hung out and I basked my feet in the cold water. I tried a few off trail routes across the granite and may have saved a few inches of effort.

Bassi Creek Again

Drove up on Sunday to the Ice House area of El Dorado National Forest. We took the trail to Red Top and then turned off on the Bassi Loop. It's not a bad trail, although it will be impassible until the snow has completely melted as most of the trail seems to be a seasonal stream. We lounged around at the river and I even took a brief nap.

Commando disgraced himself by chasing a deer. It came so close to me I thought it was going to run right over me. I really need to get him under better control.

Next time I'll go farther up the Red Top trail to where the creek allegedly crosses the trail. The area has some great views of the Crystal Range and I'd like to spend some time memorizing the peaks.

Loon Lake Camping and Hiking

Decided to not be lazy on Saturday so we drove up to the Ice House area of the Eldorado National Forest. I had thought we might camp at the Tells Creek equestrian camp, but it was full. We continued on and checked out Gerle's reservoir and Airport Flat. Gerle's was full. Airport Flat was dusty and had a lot of OHV folks (meaning noise and more dust). We thought that Loon Lake would be full but we managed to get an $8 site overlooking the lake. Nice.

Commando and I did two short hikes. We drove up to the locked gate at Robb's Hut and walked the rest of the way. In camp, we scrambled up a hill overlooking the Valley beginning of the Rubicon jeep trail.

Camp wasn't altogether perfect. There were OHV people here too and they spent a lot of time riding or driving their noisy vehicles up and down the camp road. One guy had his son riding around and around and around on a little mini-bike. The kid could ride, but there's no way I would have let a 5 year old ride unsupervised.

The next day we got up bright and early and by 830 I was on the Loon Lake trail to the Van Vleck trailhead. It's a relatively easy trail although the first 2 miles are a bit of a steep climb. After the big climb there was a small drop then a gradual slope down to the end. I actually got a little lost and took a casual use/old, old logging road back to the trailhead. There was a trail intersection not on the map and no signs at the intersection. I assumed I was farther along than I was and took the left fork. No harm no foul.

When Bees Attack

I was talking to Petra on the phone and just ending the walk with Commando. As I passed through the posts that separate the grass from the asphalt I saw a hole with bees. I didn't think much about it (other than, oh neat, bees) when suddenly I felt the painful stinging on my back. I had a vision of being attacked by billions of bees and became quite alarmed!

I yelled to Petra, "Aaargh, aargh, I have to hang up." Then I hung up and put the phone on the nearby bench and ran a few steps swinging my arms and sort of screaming a little. It really hurt a lot and I still had this mental image of really being viciously savaged by the whole hive.

I heard buzzing and picked a bee off the back of my shirt. Finally it was over. I collected my phone and called Petra back but I just wasn't in the mood to talk.

My back, near the left shoulder was burning and stinging...it was quite painful...much more painful than I remembered from stings as a child.

Guess how many bee stings?

One. One measly little sting. Humph. It's barely a story.

P.S. Commando didn't react act all, other than to follow along with me because he was leashed.

Upper Bassi

I really wasn't in the mood for a hike so decided to go to Bassi Falls. Got a late start and stopped for a map at the Forest Service location near Mills Run.
On the road to the falls, I saw 4 huge vehicles in a row heading up...so much for the peaceful and bucolic reading session I had planned at the falls. I decided to drive up the road further.

The Cheese Camp road was unbarred for the first time ever (for me). This is the road to the Van Vleck cabin and I had snowshoed here with the hound last winter.

It's a narrow paved road. We stopped at the locked gate and moseyed around a little but there wasn't a view and no water. There was a 1 mile trail to Upper Bassi. Drove about 1/4 mile to it. There is a horse campground and it's the Tells Creek trailhead.

The trail is very good. It heads south and very gradually drops (almost level), then takes a somewhat steep plunge, then heads easterly through a marshy area (pretty dry now) and finally starts crossing granite mixed with meadow mixed with more granite.

The creek was barely moving but it had cut quite a channel through the granite. A group of people had already established their turf just downstream so I headed a bit up. I soon found a likely looking pool, took my boots and socks off and waded into it. I had to move slowly because the footing was slimy with moss.

As it turned out, that was a good thing. The pool wasn't big, maybe double king size bed size and wasn't very deep. I was just looking at a likely spot to lean back against the rock when I noticed a very frightened snake poking his head up and desperately hoping none of the interlopers to his home (the human and the pooch) would kill and eat him.

I'm not snake phobic at all but I'm sure I would have jumped and screamed if he slithered across me to escape! I left him to his pool and sat on another rock and finished my water and snack. I noticed it was getting late and got the boots back on to head back.

I did explore briefly up stream and saw that I had missed some really large shady pools! Next time.

Critter sightings

Saw a coyote at the ravine...he (or she) was actually at the paved part up by a rodent colony under some trees. Commando gave chase but gave up quickly.

Saw pelicans at the American River. We were walking along on the lower levee and I saw big birds and said, "Wow, those sure look like pelicans." They were just a little too far away. A few minutes later the were flying directly overhead...big white pelicans with the trailing edge of the wing black (or maybe it was the leading edge).

Evening in the Ravine

Took Commando to the ravine for a long walk. Yesterday I was a bad dog owner and didn't take him for a walk because I wanted to finish Deathly Hallows (great end to the series!). So I knew he needed an excellent walk to make up for it.

I took my push scooter with me because I thought that if would be less painful on my foot, plus, I'd get some practice without traffic.

It was a beautiful night and the scooter did its job of protecting my foot. Commando was ecstatic and sniffed everything and then peed on it to make sure.

The little cotton tail bunnies were out, making dusty marks in the trail. Are they rolling in the dust? Scratching and marking the dust to mark territory? Not sure, it's just that about every 10 feet there was a little patch of disturbed dust in the hard, hard clay-like surface of the trail. Commando loved chasing the bunnies and they gave him a demonstration of what "fast" is.

A large bullfrog leapt into the pond when Commando waded in for a cooling drink.

There were at least 3 raptors flying along...a falcon, a grayish looking bird, and a red tail hawk. I also saw a flock of turkeys who were not amused by the interruption to their evening stroll. Commando missed them which was good, but I would have enjoyed watching it. Would he chase them as prey and would they flee as prey? Would they be just a little too big and would he approach with caution? Would he discover that sometimes prey turns around and beats the "predator" to a pulp? Maybe we'll encounter them next time.

Just as I was climbing out of the quarry, I looked to the side and an owl was floating by on its way to the rodent hunt.

Beautiful, beautiful walk!

Rockbound Trail

Went up late Sunday to try the Twin Lakes trail again. On the road, decided to try a different trail, so took the Rockbound Trail for about 1.5 miles. It was hot and I was feeling the altitude so it wasn't the best time. On the other hand, I always feel very good...nice and relaxed afterwards. Took my boots off and dipped my feet in Beauty Lake (1/2 mile from the trailhead) on the way back. Commando ran in the water and I reminded him how fun I was by flicking water in the air with my hat. He loved it and kept leaping up to chase the water drops. What a goof!

Black Rock Desert

This is not really recommended for just a two day trip from the Central Valley. Most of the day is spent driving, and that doesn't leave much time for hiking and relaxing.

We drove up 395 and tried to cross over to Nevada near Herlong based on a possibly wrong interpretation of a map. It looked like a road led into Gerlach. If there is such a road, we couldn't find it.

We ended up driving to Alturas, then Cedarville. We stopped for a few hours on 8A overlooking Nevada and ate sandwiches and tried to decide if we should camp here or not. Commando and I took a little stroll.

We decided not to camp so headed into the Black Rock Desert, High Rock Canyon, Emigrant Trails area. We camped at Steven's Camp. There's a spring, a cabin, a pit toilet and a trail through a canyon on the Applegate-Lassen cutoff national historic trail. This was one of the gold miner, covered wagon trails out west.

We had a nice camp down near the stream as the cabin was occupied. Commando caught some sleep, but spent a lot of time patrolling the campsite and protecting us from whatever. Strangely, he didn't respond when something in the bushes killed a rabbit (the guess based on the rustling and screaming).

We broke camp very early and headed east on the main "road." We were trying to reach High Rock canyon, but didn't have a very good map and missed it. We spent most of the time on the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge trying to get to Summit Lake. We were stopped at the Summit Lake Indian Reservation...which is perhaps fortunate.

Commando and I did a little hike through a canyon following mustang tracks.

We saw a few pronghorn and several bands of mustangs. We also saw a few coyotes. The most interesting find was a flock of big game birds...grouse?

We drove back to Gerlach and were a little worried about gas. Fortunately, Gerlach was only about 70 miles from us and not the 90 claimed on the sign. We probably had enough gas to go the whole 90, but why risk it. We reached pavement about 20 miles outside of Gerlach and blew out a rear tire going over a cattle guard. Oops.

I was starting to put the spare on when a kind couple stopped...well, the guy did a U-turn to help us...and helped. May they and their descendants people the earth. They had been visiting some friends on one of the ranches.

We'll have to go in the late fall for more than a few days. It's fascinating country and well worth spending time there.

Shealor Lake

Today was Mom's birthday so to celebrate we drove up the Mormon Emigrant Trail to 88 and then to the SL trailhead. Well, actually, I just wanted to hike. Mom says I'm out of the will because the parking area (she doesn't hike but likes to go on drives) had no bathroom and it was noisy.

This is a great hike around 7500 feet and climbs up over a granite saddle with spectacular views before descending steeply to the lake. Shealor is small and intimate without being claustrophobic. There are plenty of places to swim and the water was warm. It's only a mile and 1/2 so the distance is good although the trail is steep!

I took the trip back slowly and stayed on the trail. On the way down I had taken a few shortcuts that didn't turn out to be as easy as they had looked. On the way up I had much less energy and really couldn't afford to take chances.

The trail was relatively easy with steep rocky spots mixed with level or slight upgrades for rest. I still managed to trip and fall but only skinned my knee and bruised my hand.

Rock cairns marked most of the path because granite just doesn't lend itself to mere bootprints. The different kinds of rock were interesting too -- granite, huge chunks of raw volcanic rock, pink rock, quartz-y looking rock and red rocks. I'm not sure what type of formation this rock is, perhaps some sort of special volcanic action. (Joke)

LOL Dog

Wright's Lake to Twin Lakes

Took Commando the Wonder Dog up 50 to the Wright's Lake exit east of Pollock Pines. This is a beautiful area with summer cabins and camping, but it certainly isn't that crowded, although, it's more crowded than some other areas.

The trail goes up pretty steadily and soon gets into beautiful granite mixed with pine forest. I made it up to a beautiful waterfall and rested and then turned back.

On the way back noticed a tiny tree seedling, about the size of my thumb growing in a large granite erratic (Hummer sized at least). Although I can't hold out much hope for this seedlings long term survival, I have to give it props for overcoming the odds of sprouting and finding a place without much competition.

This will be a great place to camp.

Plummer Ridge

Drove around off of the Mormon Emigrant road and discovered this little area to hike. It's a long flat ridge that goes on and on and on. There are some good views of the Valley and lots of pine and low growing shrubs. There's a Forest Service cabin that provided some interest. It's too bad they don't plow the roads in the winter because this would be a nice place to snowshoe.