Lake Valley Reservoir 5/27/09

Sixteen hikers (Jim, Maureen, Barbara G., Stan, Becky – welcome back!, both Marilyns, Clarence, Mary, Priscilla, Cyndi, Tami, Karen, Laurie, John, and Elly) returned to the high country this Wednesday for a hike above Lake Valley Reservoir at Eagle Mountain. Although the trail was dusty, we were treated to gardens of wildflowers and spectacular views of the lake. Along the trail we saw Arrow-leaved Balsam Root (relative of Mule's Ears), Spreading Phlox, and Paintbrush.

Under some large dome-like outcroppings, we turned towards a rocky overlook for lunch. At the lunch spot were more flowers including penstemon. When Jim posed the challenge of climbing the dome, John and Elly and Maureen hove to and followed the Pied Piper. Pretty soon we were ascending a very steep rock face needing to use the “three-point rule” (3 of 4 limbs needed to be contact with the earth at all times). Although the hand and toe holds were not too difficult, Maureen looked down and suddenly realized that not only had she not done this before, but how good an idea was it? To her credit, she persevered and made it not only to the top of the first rock dome but to the higher one too. She practically clicked her heels in glee when she summited. Descending was less fun as we had to make our way through scratchy brush which was prone to collapsing and postholing our legs up to our crotches (mine, anyway).

When we returned to the lunch outcropping, most of our friends had left. Some stayed while we ate lunch reveling in the view and perfect air. As our carpool dawdled atop, Becky wondered if anyone else felt a drop. We started to hear thunder but continued to dawdle as we found more wildflowers: Fawn Lilies and a Western Wallflower. Pretty soon we were feeling hailstones and we knew we had to get going. We high-tailed it down the trail ducking for cover under trees when things got heavy. Soon we got to an Eagle Mountain warming hut and waited it out for a bit. I understand that the group ahead of us did that too. It would have been pretty funny to open the door and find them there. The rest of the hike was amid steamy forest as the sun volatilized the standing rainwater.

Next week Clarence is leading us to Sagehen Creek, out of Truckee. We will be starting at 8:30 AM.

BBQ/potluck – it was fun to hear everyone planning what to bring – sounds like some good homemade nourishment!! We will provide the BBQ stuff – might be salmon – you can bring the other dishes plus wine or beer or whatever to share. We are planning to start it at 4 to accommodate the MIM attendees and most people seemed to be able to make it on June 14th. I will make up a list in order to coordinate what people are bringing and we will get the directions out to you.

Bullard's Bar 5/20/2009

Of the fourteen hikers, 10 are stiff and hobbling but have bragging rights today: 10 swift miles of relatively easy hiking along the reservoir. The trail was mildly up and down with a view of the light green water through the trees. Only an occasional wildflower (Pinedrops and Bleeding Heart), salamander, large slug, or large tree interrupted the monotony so conversation was ripe during the single file march. Stopping was made impossible due to the mosquito terrorists which tracked us all along the trail. A breeze routed them as we sat eating lunch near the water with a view of the dam with moored boats. As we savored the air and water, a water buffalo snag came swimming towards us at quite a clip. We thought it might be fun to hang on to hitch a ride back to the boat ramp where we started. But, alas, at the last minute it veered away and we sour graped that perhaps it was really a trojan, buffalo there to spy on us. (Photos by Clarence)

I found out the hard way just how lovely it is to have our two retired nurses, Akiko and Selma, with us. Their gentle and knowledgeable attention to my skinned knee (yes, I looked at the view and tripped) was much appreciated. Clarence says that Stan found himself with a tick when he got home so don't for get to check...better late than never.

Present were: Clarence, Jo, Stan, Akiko, Selma, Grace, Tiana, Cyndi, John and Elly (10 miles) and Laurie, Barbara G., Karen, and Maureen turned and hiked up a hill to a picnic place about halfway to our lunch spot, giving them about a 5-6 mile hike.

John says that Bullard's Bar used to be a beautiful swimming area where he was taken as a camper in the late fifties. The dam was completed in 1969 for both irrigation and flood control. It is one of the 50 highest in the world.

We talked about hiking to Lake Valley Reservoir (known as Long Valley Reservoir by some) next week. It's at exit 160 just west of where 20 meets 80. Stan suggested Lake Valley near Yuba gap. Clarence things it might be a little early for there, but it is an open area and it is probably clear (It burned a few years ago). Also from Clarence: Hidden falls in Auburn. .. An easy "park like" hike. 6+ miles. Any other suggestions?

Rumor has it that we are hosting a potluck for the group. Let's do it as a late lunch - mosquitoes will find us at dinner time and our place is impossible to find in the dark. We need your input on the best day for most people. My feeling is a Sunday at around 1 or 2 PM. Right now, with our blooming irises and still-green meadow, would be best but I'm sure it is too soon to clear calendars for most of us. So June? Any Sunday would be okay. What would you like?

Divide and Conquer 5/13/09

Twenty-three hikers met and of course, with the larger group, couldn't decide where to go. So two hikes went out: one followed Clarence (with the new coif - hardly recognizable but looks a lot younger, we decided) to the dogwoods at Rock Creek, and one followed Alan to Loney meadows (or so they thought). So here follow the two hikes:

Rock Creek Dogwoods by Clarence

We couldn't have asked for better weather for our hike though the forest to Rock Creek Nature trail. There were nine of us that left from the parking spot just off Conservation Rd. The first 2 miles were "generally" down hill 'till we got to Rock Creek. At first we spotted just a few Dogwood trees here and there, but as we got to the creek, they were everywhere. Along the creek there were other special "numbered" trees and landmarks, but we did not have a trail guide to know what the numbers represent, so we just enjoyed the very pleasant trail. There were also a lot of Bleeding Heart and Violet flowers. Spring and Fall might be the prime time for this area.
I have sent a few sample pictures with this "Blog", but you can see all the pictures I took on the Snapfish web page if you want to "log on". Yes, I'm CA...
The Dogwood group talked about going to (Auburn) Hidden falls and American River trails next week. Any other suggestions?

For the group, I would like to put Wednesday June 3rd (three weeks away) on the calendar for a special place, Sage Hen Creek ~ easy hike ~ spectacular flowers, Camas Lilies. Just beyond Truckee. Hope it works from you. CA M

(It appears the hikers were: Cyndi, Maureen, Steve and Ellen, Tiana, Marilyn N., Clarence, and a new hiker. - ed)

"Loney Meadows" (Alan and Marilyn, Stan, Grace, Tami, Jo, Karen, Akiko, Laurie, Mary, Selma, Kim, John, and Elly)

Fourteen of us in 3 cars folowed the intrepid Alan who hadn't hiked with the group in over a year due to leg problems. He really wanted to go to Loney Meadows but alas, was thwarted by snow banks and debris at about the 10 mile marker on the road. So we turned around (neat trick - road was narrow) and headed down to the Lake Spaulding Trail to Fordyce Creek.

The trail was pretty raunchy in places as snow melt made watery trails and loose rocks. Our 5 miles felt like a lot more. As Alan warned us about rattle snake country, a small rattlesnake coiled and rattling, warned us away from his lizard lunch. Did he plant that rattler? Wildflowers were in begining stages: Yellow (Pine?) Violets, Phlox, Shooting Stars, and a light pink lily that looked like Cat's Ears (Naked Star Tulip??). And, of course, Stan's beloved Snow Plant was visible in it's beginning and intermediate stages at the same locations as last year.

Lunch hunger stopped half of us at a beautiful rock overlook short of the falls, while the rest of us continued on to the falls or cataracts. We were rewarded with strong water rushing in many directions at once as it tried to seek the lowest spots, only to find rock and more water in its way. Some of the rocks we ate lunch on last year were under water still. It was almost too exciting to eat lunch. But since it was early afternoon by that time...

John would be interested in hiking Bullards Bar one of these days since we've never done it.

One more thing:

For those who didn't get the message: I have 3 works at the Pioneer Arts Show downtown at the GV Art Center - one is of the hiking group at a Spenceville hike. (the other two: our front porch and a series of alpacas)

Independence Trail, Cinco de Mayo plus one

Coises -foiled again - dentist had a cancellation for doing a crown on tooth broken by a cough drop while sick.

So John's take:

14 of us decided the dark skies weren't going to let loose again and showed up for Wednesday's hike on the Independence Trail West. Selma, Marilyn S. and N., Akiko, Priscilla, Tammi, Cyndi, Barbara G., Karen, Maureen, Steve and Ellyn, Stan and John hiked the easy four mile roundtrip past lovely flowers (including a hillside loaded with Chinese Lanterns), beautiful waterfalls, and historic outhouses. We were turned around by a flooded trail about two miles in, and returned to the Rush Creek overlook for lunch. The wooden flume crossing the creek is very impressive (John had never been on this trail and was amazed) and the switchbacked ramp structure leading to the water at the base of the falls was a marvel.

The group is thinking of heading higher next week if the weather continues warm and dry, perhaps doing Loney Meadows. Any thoughts?

Historic outhouses? really? See you next week.

Maureen's Table Mtn