South Yuba Thanksgiving

Starting at the South Yuba campground across the river north of the Edwards Crossing,

six hikers hiked six miles round trip down the sunny cliff to the Yuba. Akiko, Maureen, Priscilla, Jo, John and Elly relaxed near the river eating lunch, moving every few minutes with the sun slipping behind the opposite high cliff .

Maureen tells us a story about a dread-wearing guy who broke a bottle of olive oil that ruined her recent purchases as well as filling his shoes with oil. He exiting squooshing but not paying.

Cronan Ranch

John writes:


Kim led us on a very pleasant hike to a new destination (new to most of us, at least). It was a sunny mild day, we had ten hikers (including Barbara G., welcome back!) in two cars heading south on 49 past Auburn and Cool to Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park. Kim thoughtfully had us stop just short of the park at the historic Bayley House to make use of their first class flush toilets. The hike at Cronan was about five miles in a loop, starting up a ridge and following it a couple of miles with fine views in all directions, including the south fork of the American River, which was our lunch stop goal. We dropped from the ridge gradually, eventually making our way to the banks of the river, which was beautiful and swift. Frank surmised that every inch of gravel had been combed through for gold in the past 150 years, but it didn't stop him from poking around a bit with the toe of his boot. He didn't find anything. We returned via the central trail up the middle of the valley, past the old homestead, which contained a small lending library "take one, leave one". Karen saw a book she wanted, but didn't have one to leave, so settled for writing the title down, hoping to order it when she got home, I presume. The park has a number of trails and would be suitable for a return visit one of these days. Hikers this week were Kim, Frank Harpold, Barbara G., Karen, Selma, Jim, Marilyn, Tiana, Jo, and John. Next week? It's the day before Thanksgiving, but are some of you interested in working up an appetite for Turkey Day?

South Yuba from Edwards

With the possibility of rain, 10 hikers hiked down river along the steep embankments of the Yuba. The iron rocks, fresh ferns, and deep blue as well as lighter green water of the river was a welcome sight in the flat light. Tiana, Grace, Marilyn S., Laurie, Kim and her renter, John, Frank and Ellen, and John and Elly ate lunch at the end of the trail that goes down to the river from the main trail. As you can see, we went almost 6 miles with an awful lot of serious up and down. (Frank took most of the pictures.)

Next week Kim suggested Sugar Pine Reservoir Loop near Iowa Hill with access from Colfax. Iowa Hill is an historic mining town with no electricity.

Frog and Summit

Missing each other both, groups started at the Boreal exit. Nineteen in all, we became 2 groups at the Summit Lake/Warren Lake split. Frank and Ellen, Jo, Akiko, Tammy, Maureen, John, and Elly headed up the steep and unforgiving grade. The others: were both Marilyns, Barbara B., new Frank, Priscilla, Selma, Stan (Yaaay - welcome back looks great), 2 new ladies Karen and Paula, Mary, and Karen.

The overlook afforded 360 degree view of Frog Lake around to Lola, Castle, Judah, etc. We enjoyed exploring after lunch to try to determine the Frog Lake access (Euer Valley) and that it was not a reservoir but a true lake. On the way down we explored some very gnarled trees that had survived splitting, growing together, and being pushed over by snow. They seem big for so much gnarling.

Thanks to Frank for the pictures - my camera broke at the beginning of the hike. Any ideas for next week? If Clarence is back we might want to go to Spenceville. (He's the expert. - also we should notify the west NC members. JUST IN - HE PROBABLY WON'T BE UP FOR IT QUITE YET - DOING WELL THOUGH. SO LET'S THINK OF ANOTHER IDEA FOR NEXT WEEK.