South Yuba to Humbug

Selma with a normal lip.

Fourteen of us headed up the South Yuba on a shady trail, searching for sunshine. We found it at various southern exposures along the cliffs. Although the river roared below us, we didn't see it very often. The trail is beautifully engineered and kept relatively clear of windfalls, of which there were quite a few. It's ups and down are so comfortable that we ticked off just short of 10 miles round trip. By the slippery rocks down where Humbug Creek flows into the Yuba, there were swarms of fairly dormant ladybugs. The sun would liven them to some degree but they weren't flying, just wintering. I guess there is safety in numbers but still quite a phenomenon to see. Towards the ends of the trip, Selma's walking stick slid out on a slippery rock causing her to do a spectacular face plant. I guess we shouldn't be too reliant on those things. She ended up in a pool of water, bleeding and swelling from a split lip. We were all thankful she hadn't done more damage to herself or her glasses. Her biggest worry is that she has to get on a plane tomorrow and face family in Southern CA whom she hasn't seen in a loooooong time. Oh well, she has bragging rights: 10 miles!!

No talk about next week, guess we're still waiting for Karen on Red Rocks at Spenceville. There is another hike we haven't done there in a while - to the lake. Also Hidden Falls in Auburn or Stevens Trail. Going lower than GV has been a problem the last few weeks due to persistent heavy fog starting in about Auburn. Some time we might want to go down the Humbug and then take the 1.7 mile trail that goes along at river level past the primitive camp. John reports that after a section of slippery rocks there appears to be a good trail would be fun to try.