Blue and Gold

From Clarence:

On a warm day we decided to go to Blue Lake and see the spectacular view from Zion Hill. There was a nice breeze on the hill. Ten of us hiked the rocky hill before picking up the old ditch trail toward the Indian petroglyphs.

 

 

After lunch we headed back, but had unexpected excitement as we neared the parking spot. A small fire, but really out of place and too large. We called 911 and after 20 minutes The fire fighters were on the scene with a very large crew. We had a front row view of the action, but soon the fireman wanted to know what “we were doing in the area”. We looked suspicious to them. After a few question we were on our way. The fire grew very large as we were driving away.

They had a helicopter, a bomber, the spotter plane, and about six trucks. I don’t know how many crew members on the ground.

Welcome new hiker, Chris

Photos: Clarence, Maureen, Susan

For next week we have the suggestion to go to Lakes Azalea, Flora, and Angela.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other group:

 

Our four headed up to the Gold Lake area below the Sierra Buttes.  We started at Gold Lake Lodge and headed down through great meadows with some different flowers. Then we climbed up the steep trail to Long Lake.  The trail headed around the end of the dam and up the other side, descending down to the lake once along some talus for fun stone hopping.  Dave and John took the opportunity for a quick dip and we headed back up the steep incline for lunch in the shade of tall trees.  After lunch we continued up and around the steeply graded flat diagonal cliffs that line the lake on the other side.  Then we headed down past a series of other lakes including and the other side of Long Lake.  There we saw the most amazing green (epidote) and quartz boulder.  Oh, for a piece of that in our gardens.  At Silver Lake we stopped again for a swim.  This time 3 of us got in and the four did get her feet wet.  Feeling refreshed, we headed past the Bear Lakes back to the Lodge. 

 Dave as a meditating otter.

Epidote and marble.

While the many meadows had the usual corn lilies, mule's ears, Knotweed, penstemon, and paintbrush; we did notice a few new flowers.  We saw checker mallow, horsemint, and alpine campion, and other not mentioned (because I'm not sure what they are). 

 

We emerged at Gold Lakes Lodge and went down the hill to Sierra City at the base of the Buttes.  Dave knew of a restaurant that was pretty good: Mountain Creek restaurant.  The creek actually rushes through the center of the place with tables on various levels.  Flowers abound by the creek which is engineered to go through old stumps and falls to disappear in a grate at the bottom, where it goes under 49 and into the Yuba.  Stunning and well worth a stop. 

 

Next week there will be no extended group.