Zeibright Mine/Bear Valley



On a very hot Wednesday, twenty two of us (I think) headed down the the level dusty trail to Zeibright Mine.  The only problem was that the return trip wasn't as level we had thought.  Phew.  Gotta get to the next piece of shade.  The Bear River was appropriately roaring as it plunged along beside us. 

Zeibright mine was named for Fred Zeitler, who started it in 1900, and Wm Englebright (and others)who bought it 3 years later.  The mine was variously owned by individuals and the State, sometimes producing, sometimes fallow.  Ore cars went down the vertical shaft, raising the cars to the upper area where they the quartz was crushed in the stamp mill.  Some of us explored the head frame and it's debris strewn around in the weeds.  A loud frog croaked from down in the mine shaft and a spring dripped quietly into standing water. 

The present owners run the 17 acres as a non-profit camp for large non-profit groups.  They are quite welcoming, allowing us to use their bathroom and poke around as long as there are no groups using it.  There is a marked degree drop in temperature at the mouth of the tunnel, which our group thorougly enjoyed.  If you go there during the snowy times, you might well get warmed as the temperature coming out of the tunnel is rather constant.  There is a vertical shaft near the horizontal tunnel that causes the breeze.  There must be some use for this but I didn't hear it.

Picture from top to bottom: Frank, Clarence, and Maureen.  Next week will do Pioneer Trail from Lang's Crossing, Bowman Rd.  The week AFTER we will start the summer start time: 8:30.  July 30 is potluck party - RSVP.

Hallelujah Trail

Fourteen of us went up Highway 20 to the Skillman area where we could take the trail west towards White Cloud.  Unfortunately the weather was hot and muggy - I can't believe I'm complaining about this but...- but we hoofed it through the forest admiring the many dogwoods.  While we watched our footing, Maureen got some art-y shots of minutiae.

I researched Solomon's Seal and came up with some confusing information. I find no evidence that we have Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum).  We do have False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina) - with it's flower on the terminal end.  The plants I thought were Solomon's seal were probably Hooker's Fair Bells.  All these plants are members of the Lily Family.  To confuse things there is also Star Flower or slim False Solomon's Seal.

We also saw pine drops, purple trillium (I think), larkspur, Madia (yellow flower with flower petals in groups of 3 - aster family), and lots of bleeding hearts.  Add Labrador Tea bush (I think).

Tribute Trail - other group

Pictures by Maureen

Stevens from Iowa Hill, a guided trail

Five of us took off to Iowa Hill Road on the other side of Colfax. Although twisty, it was paved and well engineered. Only a little carsick, we pulled up in front of the Iowa Hill store, which actually was a bar. The porch held several tatooed, pierced beer drinking types, having their smokes and brews. As we alighted from the car, we were greeted by a crowd of dogs and informed that one of them would be our hike leader. Shorty was the meanest looking hombre in the pack but indicated he would be quite happy to lead us to the American River. No fee. So I will let him tell the tale (pun intended).

Shorty, here...led my small group down the steep hill. They were mighty slow as they slid down one of the many trails to the main one. I whiled away my time by criss-crossing the trails and always returning to lead them down the main one. The group kept stalling at the wildflowers and the Hawaiin Grotto but they managed to continue following me down the beautifully built (at one time) trail. Admittedly there were sections where one false step could pitch them down the hill but what's a little poison oak? And they were SOOO slow when they had to cross slippery rock or logs and especially where they had to use a previously installed rope to go over one section. What wimps. After 3.7 miles they stopped by the river for lunch while I drank heartily. With my refined manners I didn't even eat the large crumbs these humans dropped until they were picked up and hand fed.

After a while we started back up the trail but when the humans got separated from each other, I got a little confused and tried to warn the 3 in the back of danger up ahead. I kept stopping which they didn't like as they nudged me along, reassuring me that these humans were not dangerous. About 25 minutes from home, I could hear the generators humming, keeping the electricity on for the houses and allowing people to watch daytime TV. I smelled the kibble waiting, and figuring the humans knew the way back, took off for home.

If you plan to take this trail: POISON OAK can't be avoided - it is 7.4 miles RT with an elevation loss and then gain of 1650 feet. Phew. But I, Shorty, would be happy to be your guide.

Incredibly beautiful wildflowers:

Coral Bells
Indian Pinks
Paintbrush
Fairy Lanterns
Nemohulus
Milkweed
Larkspur
Wild Rose
Showy Monkeyflower
Penstemon
Mallow
Iris
False Solomon's Seal
Blue Dicks
Wild Onion
Star Flower
Madia (yellow)
Cat's Ears
Thimbleberry

Clarence is talking about the dogwoods near rte 20 for next week and/or explore the new Hirschfield trail on Cement Hill.

Empire Mine

Despite the hazardous weather outlook, 5 of us gathered for a local short walk before the 11 AM prediction of weather mayhem. We chose the part of the mine on the north side of Hwy 174, starting in the "mines" neighborhood off Gold and Silver Way (behind Goomba's). Wending our way through the alleys of oak and pine, on fairly wide paths, we met a good number of similarly-minded walkers. Cat's Ears, Ceonothuses ,irises, a creeping sage, starflowers, checkerbloom (?), asters, pretty face, and CA lilac were all in bloom. Scotch broom was also in bloom which should remind us all to do what we can to pull it out. I also saw a spotted tohee and a flicker.

As we neared the end of the loop, we decided that since it was 10:50 and there was still no sign of serious rain, we would do the loop through the main section of the park. I felt we were assured no rain as John and I had donned our rainpants and raincoats. As we started on that trail, the clock turned 11 and the sky burst forth with hail. This time there was no hesitating: we turned around and high-tailed it to the car. No more hiking in cold wet weather for us. Since it was late morning, four of us decided to go for soup at Briarpatch.