A record number of 19 hikers(!) turned out yesterday to hike about 5 miles in a split hike: out to the end of the Buttermilk trail above the sparkling S. Yuba and then to Pt. Defiance. Mary, Grace, both Barbara's, Marilyn S., Kim, Jo, Akiko, Tiana, Tami, Laurie, Stan, Karen, Priscilla, Selma, Jim'n'Jan, John'n'Elly went on the narrow trail famous for its wildflowers, which, of course, were not present. Some of us extended that part of the hike by taking the old road to the dairy that ends up on Pleasant Valley Rd. Back at the cars we decided to go the other direction, up the switchbacks to the area where trails go back down to the S. Yuba. After lunch at Pt. Defiance (I have yet to find out the origin of that name - who or what was being defied?) we returned via the S. Yuba trail to covered bridge and the parking lot. We met a couple from NC who might be interested in joining our group.
Next week several of us can't be there. It was decided that the group will go to Weimar and hike there. The following week we were talking about hiking going back to Spenceville. See you then!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
January 21, 2009 Hoyt's Road
Hello Everybody - Sorry I couldn't join you this week but next week should be okay. The following is John's take which is quite thorough in his fashion. Darned good! So one thing has me concerned: messages we post here are not seen by 5(!) of our hikers: Laurie, Jo, Grace, Stan, Karen. We might want to remember that if any big decisions are made.
11 intrepid hikers braved threatening skies on Wednesday to hike the Hoyt Crossing trail. Akiko, Barbara G., Grace, Jo, Karen, Lori, Marilyn S., Selma, Stan, Tiana, and John carpooled to the magnificent "old bridge" on Hwy. 49 where it crosses the So. Yuba. The parking lot, which is so crowded in the summer, was empty, and the river was shockingly low for this time of the year. It's still incredibly beautiful, however, with the sculpted boulders and lovely cliff faces. We hiked up the north side of the river on a well-built trail the fairly short distance to the Hoyt Crossing beach and pool. Several took photos of the sign instructing us to refrain from fires, camping and wearing clothes. We took that under advisement. We then set off on the Hoyt's Road trail, which ascends northwest from the beach area and then climbs steadily northeast, with occasional views of the S. Yuba far below. The trail is mostly well maintained, and is quite wide in some places, being an old road from the mid 19th century. We were able to see across to the beginning of the old Excelsior Ditch, which at one time delivered water all the way to the hydraulic mining sites at Smartsville. Portions of that ditch now are the right of way for the Independence Trail. After a steady climb of 1300 feet, we reached a saddle that allowed us views Northwest in the direction of the Milhous Boys Ranch, which is off of Hwy. 49. We turned around at this point and returned to the beach for lunch. It was a short hike from there back to the cars. The hike totaled only 5 miles, but was a nice workout due to the substantial elevation gain. Thanks to Grace for trenchant analysis of the fashions worn at the various inauguration functions of the day before, and to Akiko for informing us that President Nixon's middle name is in fact from the same family that was responsible for the founding of the Milhous Boys Ranch. And thanks also to The River, the Hank Meals guide book, for some of the historical details cited above.
Next week's hike is set: Bridgeport. Those living in that direction will meet is at the parking lot at Bridgeport. The rest of us will assemble for carpooling at the regular meeting place.
A couple of other things: Some people expressed interest in the veggie and fruit boxes that Elly and I subscribe to. They are both through Mountain Bounty Farm mountainbountyfarm.com. In the summer, the veggies come from their farm on San Juan Ridge, and the fruit comes from a farm they contract with further down the hill. In the winter, the vegetables come from Riverdog Farm in Guinda (northwest of Woodland) and the fruit, mostly citrus, comes from Chaffin Family Orchards, near Table Mountain, Oroville. It's all organic and the quality is excellent. We pick up the boxes in Grass Valley every week but they also drop off in NC and other areas.
Also, sometimes hiker Tom Behlmer has emailed us wanting to spread the word about his financial consulting services. He offers to audit mutual fund investment holdings and annuities for excessive or hidden costs, that incur unnecessary taxes. If you are interested in contacting him, his email is gogettom@hotmail.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>John GouldBay Area:1300 Quarry Ct. #413Richmond CA 94801510-232-6811Sierra:13055 Jack Pine RoadGrass Valley, CA 95945Phone 530-273-3518Cell 415-710-9390email jgbookman@aol.com
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!
11 intrepid hikers braved threatening skies on Wednesday to hike the Hoyt Crossing trail. Akiko, Barbara G., Grace, Jo, Karen, Lori, Marilyn S., Selma, Stan, Tiana, and John carpooled to the magnificent "old bridge" on Hwy. 49 where it crosses the So. Yuba. The parking lot, which is so crowded in the summer, was empty, and the river was shockingly low for this time of the year. It's still incredibly beautiful, however, with the sculpted boulders and lovely cliff faces. We hiked up the north side of the river on a well-built trail the fairly short distance to the Hoyt Crossing beach and pool. Several took photos of the sign instructing us to refrain from fires, camping and wearing clothes. We took that under advisement. We then set off on the Hoyt's Road trail, which ascends northwest from the beach area and then climbs steadily northeast, with occasional views of the S. Yuba far below. The trail is mostly well maintained, and is quite wide in some places, being an old road from the mid 19th century. We were able to see across to the beginning of the old Excelsior Ditch, which at one time delivered water all the way to the hydraulic mining sites at Smartsville. Portions of that ditch now are the right of way for the Independence Trail. After a steady climb of 1300 feet, we reached a saddle that allowed us views Northwest in the direction of the Milhous Boys Ranch, which is off of Hwy. 49. We turned around at this point and returned to the beach for lunch. It was a short hike from there back to the cars. The hike totaled only 5 miles, but was a nice workout due to the substantial elevation gain. Thanks to Grace for trenchant analysis of the fashions worn at the various inauguration functions of the day before, and to Akiko for informing us that President Nixon's middle name is in fact from the same family that was responsible for the founding of the Milhous Boys Ranch. And thanks also to The River, the Hank Meals guide book, for some of the historical details cited above.
Next week's hike is set: Bridgeport. Those living in that direction will meet is at the parking lot at Bridgeport. The rest of us will assemble for carpooling at the regular meeting place.
A couple of other things: Some people expressed interest in the veggie and fruit boxes that Elly and I subscribe to. They are both through Mountain Bounty Farm mountainbountyfarm.com. In the summer, the veggies come from their farm on San Juan Ridge, and the fruit comes from a farm they contract with further down the hill. In the winter, the vegetables come from Riverdog Farm in Guinda (northwest of Woodland) and the fruit, mostly citrus, comes from Chaffin Family Orchards, near Table Mountain, Oroville. It's all organic and the quality is excellent. We pick up the boxes in Grass Valley every week but they also drop off in NC and other areas.
Also, sometimes hiker Tom Behlmer has emailed us wanting to spread the word about his financial consulting services. He offers to audit mutual fund investment holdings and annuities for excessive or hidden costs, that incur unnecessary taxes. If you are interested in contacting him, his email is gogettom@hotmail.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>John GouldBay Area:1300 Quarry Ct. #413Richmond CA 94801510-232-6811Sierra:13055 Jack Pine RoadGrass Valley, CA 95945Phone 530-273-3518Cell 415-710-9390email jgbookman@aol.com
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!
Friday, January 16, 2009
January 14, 2009 - Cool
Unfortunately I had a meeting and couldn't go. Next week I need to pick up grand children at 12:30 so I guess I won't be able to go then either. I understand it was Cool - here's John's take:
18 Wednesday regulars and not so regulars carpooled to Cool (just south of Auburn on Hwy. 49) for a pleasant and unseasonably warm hike. The large turnout included Jim, Jan, Mary, Barbara G and Barbara B., both Marilyns (S. and N.), Selma, Lori, Teana, Tami, Karen, Stan, Grace, Akiko, Kim, Clarence, and John (without Elly). The trail accommodates hikers, bikers and equestrians, and we saw some of each. It covers mostly open oak woodland, gently rolling country with views to the east and north of the snow capped mountains. We had a good view of the Sierra Buttes, which some of us summited just a few months ago. Our lunch spot was in an area of scattered rocks and fallen trees made more comfortable by those wise enough to bring foam seating cushions. We followed lunch with the only real elevation loss and gain, made more difficult and memorable by the food in our tummies. We had a nice view of the Auburn dam site, the long-fought project which recently lost it's license and appears dead (for now). We ended the 7.5 mile hike with a long slog on a paved road which gets no traffic. It was built many years ago as an access road for the dam construction which never happened and seems oddly out of place and a bit surreal. Thanks to Kim for her stories of her recent trip to New Zealand, and to Stan for enlightening us about his choice of breakfast cereal (that would be Honey Buckets of Oats, oh so yummy).
18 Wednesday regulars and not so regulars carpooled to Cool (just south of Auburn on Hwy. 49) for a pleasant and unseasonably warm hike. The large turnout included Jim, Jan, Mary, Barbara G and Barbara B., both Marilyns (S. and N.), Selma, Lori, Teana, Tami, Karen, Stan, Grace, Akiko, Kim, Clarence, and John (without Elly). The trail accommodates hikers, bikers and equestrians, and we saw some of each. It covers mostly open oak woodland, gently rolling country with views to the east and north of the snow capped mountains. We had a good view of the Sierra Buttes, which some of us summited just a few months ago. Our lunch spot was in an area of scattered rocks and fallen trees made more comfortable by those wise enough to bring foam seating cushions. We followed lunch with the only real elevation loss and gain, made more difficult and memorable by the food in our tummies. We had a nice view of the Auburn dam site, the long-fought project which recently lost it's license and appears dead (for now). We ended the 7.5 mile hike with a long slog on a paved road which gets no traffic. It was built many years ago as an access road for the dam construction which never happened and seems oddly out of place and a bit surreal. Thanks to Kim for her stories of her recent trip to New Zealand, and to Stan for enlightening us about his choice of breakfast cereal (that would be Honey Buckets of Oats, oh so yummy).
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
January 7, 2008
Hi Group!! I hope this seems sensible to you as I wanted a place where people could add comments for everyone to see. If this is more difficult for you to access, please let me know.
Today Grace, Laurie, Priscilla, Stan, Clarence, Tiana, Akiko, Jo, both Marilyns, Barbara Gable, Karen, John, and Elly decided to hike in the warm sunlight but not in the fog below us. The result was Wolfe Mountain Road at the dump turnoff. We started out inauspiciously as we parked our 4 cars in 2 groups, separated by about a mile. We wondered where they were and they wondered where we were. After a useless phone call, both groups started out in the same direction: up the road. After a couple of miles we started beating the bushes for the other group. As we tore our clothing on the manzanita, they were frying their brains out under a huge microwave facility on top. We noted that the security was lax, the gate being open. Happily reunited you would think we were long, lost cousins. Meanwhile a happy and fat white Labrador decided walking with this group sure beat barking in her yard.
We started back down only to turn off immediately to go into the woods for a big surprise. There, before us, was a completely graffitied, circular, cement wall that echoed nicely as we chattered and hooted. We took turns photographing the group while wading ankle deep in detritus from the "artists". Later we found out that the round foundation was the beginning of a future rotating house built 50 years ago...this sounds like misinformation to me but that's what a local resident told us.
Next road down the hill we went into Orbit (Drive) a short way before finding a relatively large dry area that took in the magnificent view of the Sierra Buttes down to the Crystal Range. After lunch some of us continued down this road only to find an even better place for lunch: another unfinished foundation with a nice soggy easy chair to take in the view. (Next time we'll eat there.) As we continued down the road, we were surprised at the security people had put up around their places: very tall chain link fences topped with a few rows of barbed wire!! We never did find out why but we all have our opinions about this.
After hiking back up the hill, we hiked back down Wolfe Mountain to the cars. Some hikers made a quick rendezvous with a former hiker who lives there. The total mileage for the hikers who parked furthest back and went all the way on the side roads: 7.5 miles.
Today Grace, Laurie, Priscilla, Stan, Clarence, Tiana, Akiko, Jo, both Marilyns, Barbara Gable, Karen, John, and Elly decided to hike in the warm sunlight but not in the fog below us. The result was Wolfe Mountain Road at the dump turnoff. We started out inauspiciously as we parked our 4 cars in 2 groups, separated by about a mile. We wondered where they were and they wondered where we were. After a useless phone call, both groups started out in the same direction: up the road. After a couple of miles we started beating the bushes for the other group. As we tore our clothing on the manzanita, they were frying their brains out under a huge microwave facility on top. We noted that the security was lax, the gate being open. Happily reunited you would think we were long, lost cousins. Meanwhile a happy and fat white Labrador decided walking with this group sure beat barking in her yard.
We started back down only to turn off immediately to go into the woods for a big surprise. There, before us, was a completely graffitied, circular, cement wall that echoed nicely as we chattered and hooted. We took turns photographing the group while wading ankle deep in detritus from the "artists". Later we found out that the round foundation was the beginning of a future rotating house built 50 years ago...this sounds like misinformation to me but that's what a local resident told us.
Next road down the hill we went into Orbit (Drive) a short way before finding a relatively large dry area that took in the magnificent view of the Sierra Buttes down to the Crystal Range. After lunch some of us continued down this road only to find an even better place for lunch: another unfinished foundation with a nice soggy easy chair to take in the view. (Next time we'll eat there.) As we continued down the road, we were surprised at the security people had put up around their places: very tall chain link fences topped with a few rows of barbed wire!! We never did find out why but we all have our opinions about this.
After hiking back up the hill, we hiked back down Wolfe Mountain to the cars. Some hikers made a quick rendezvous with a former hiker who lives there. The total mileage for the hikers who parked furthest back and went all the way on the side roads: 7.5 miles.
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