Brr humbug...

from John:

We had a small group of six come out on the day of the winter solstice to hike the So. Yuba Trail upstream from the So. Yuba campground to Humbug Creek. It was chilly in the shade and warm in the sun and we hiked the beautiful trail at a nice brisk pace. The plan was to lunch at the picnic tables on the bluff where the creek hits the river. We got there in good time but found the whole area to be in the shadow of the immense cliff on the other side of the river. Both banks of the river were coated with white frost and sitting at the tables would have made for an uncomfortably cold lunch. So back we went to the spur trail which drops down to the big bend in the river, which we had seen on the way up to be drenched in sunlight. And so it was. We got back in time (barely) for Tiana to get ready for her latest Christmas party. She's been quite the party gal this season, so it seems.

 No pictures this week. 8.5 miles.

 No suggestions so far for next week (the 28th). Any ideas?

Cronan Ranch

A cool day with high overcast - a long drive on highway 49 south of Auburn, just past the town of Cool is Pilot Hill - and thereby lies Cronan Ranch. It is a place of many trails so Frank mapped out a 6.5 mile loop that went down to the south fork of the American River and back. The hiking was hilly but not too steep, allowing us to zing right along although we stopped fairly often, once at a movie set for Love Comes Softly(?).

The return trail is notable for it's many green outhouses - possibly a take-out place for kayaks, large groups of them, or rafts.

 Three guest hikers from other areas met us at the trailhead and hiked along with us.  They were from Auburn and Rocklin.

Some talk of next week hiking Fairy Falls.  We won't be able to make it due to a meeting regarding my mother.

All pictures by Maureen.

Hidden Falls

Twelve of us hiked in balmy weather to complete the 5.5 mile Hidden Falls hike.  The stunning ride to the park from Highway 49 was a bit foggy/misty but the ensuing winds blew away the clouds by the time we arrived.

Included here are 2 maps from Frank (plus the snake picture - the rest are by Maureen).  One of the maps is of Cronan Ranch near Cool, where it is proposed we go next week.