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)