Mooney Flat Road

Photos by Clarence...

After last Wednesday's Goomba delight and Frank's DVD preview, some of us decided to thumb our noses at the weather and go lower to where the sun did shine. With the previous night's rain and lingering snow, it seemed unwise to go to view the Bridgeport flowers so we decided on the sun-drenched Mooney Flat Road. Meeting the low-landers at the dam, we were disappointed that the clouds closed in, dulling the Spring grasses and flowering trees as we headed mostly down to Engelbright Lake. By the time we got there the sun and had broken back out making the lunch stop warm and pleasant. Barbara shared some leftover sweets from her book group which was appreciated as a few neglected to bring their lunches.

Along the lake path was a good display of Shooting Star flowers. A duck couple cavorted together in a cove but we were sorry to learn (from Tammy calling her friend on a cell) that they would not be raising any progeny. The male was a hybrid Mallard and something else with a blue bill and black back and therefore, sterile. Which brought to Barbara's mind, today's story of the Pinnacle condors. They will not be raising their own chick but that of a captivity one with a stronger shell. Wonder who raises theirs.

So next week we will do the wildflower walk - WE HOPE!! Unless we get our usual Wednesday snow.

Hidden Falls

At the meeting place we divided into 2 groups: one went to Gray Lodge near Gridley to go birding. The othergroup, wanting more of a hike, went down to Hidden Falls in the regional park. Being in the latter group, that is the report you will get (unless I hear from the others).

We did the loop we followed last time although the time of year was different enough to afford a new look. The grass was green, the creeks roared to the cascades, pools, and falls. Buckeye trees were bursting their large seeds, sending a root to the soil and greenery upward. We collected a few to see if they would grow in various places. Our lively group of 10 consisted of Jo, Kim and her renter friend, John; both Marilyns, Akiko, Selma, Tiana, John, and Elly. We hiked a total of between 5 and 6 miles. The highlight of the trip was relaxing for at least an hour on the platform by the falls. The sun shone on us as the rushing water raced downward. Ah, one of our better destinations. For some reason it brought to mind food discussions stimulated by a mention of the movie, Julie and Julia as well as the book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

Chicago Park Ditch

Thirteen hikers thumbed their collective noses at the possible rain, deciding to take the chance. Luck was with us as nary a drop fell. We parked the cars at the corner of Burma and N. Meadow View roads (our garbage pick up spot), and walked up N. Meadow View to Hwy 174. We must have been a sight as the traffic actually stopped so we could cross. There we continued up Meadow View to the top of the hill and the ditch. After the steep hill to get there, we were rewarded with the relatively level trail alongside the NID ditch. The forest was predominantly cedar and oak with some houses at the end of roads. Although we were in search of a rumored lake in Chicago Park, all we found was an ugly reservoir so that was hardly the highlight of the hike. We continued on and did find a meadow which supposedly would have given us a round trip circle hike but we didn't know how to do it. So we retraced our steps back up to the ditch part and sat down to eat lunch. Meanwhile a group of 5 had taken an alternate single track route to a "lake" and ended up climbing the back side of the reservoir. Back on the main trail there was some yelling and whistle blowing to unite the two groups. Returning to our cars, we found we had walked 7 miles. Present, were Karen, both Barbaras, Selma, Clarence, Jim, both Franks and Ellen, Tammy, Tiana, John, and Elly.

After the hike John and Elly toured the Barbaras, Karen, Tammy, and Tiana to see the alpacas and the spectacular ladybug swarms in our meadow.

Next week there is still the possibility of the Gray Lodge birding trip but an alternative will also be available.

PS. We just previewed Frank's video - sure is fun to watch our hikes to the tunes of Nutcracker from our armchairs. It's amazing how the music works for the pictures.

Wolfe Mountain Road

Fifteen sun-starved hikers woke to a clear, cold dawn. And it was on a Wednesday to boot!! Knowing the trails would be sopping wet and muddy, we decided on Wolfe Road, hiking the over 7 miles to the top and back. Clarence, Kim, Jo, Akiko, Maureen, Priscilla, Barbara G., Marilyn S., Frank, Tiana, Mary, Tammy, Karen, John, and Elly stretched our legs as we enjoyed the passing view of the Sierra with it's bright new snow. At the end of the hike, even the Sierra Buttes emerged from their clouds a bit to reveal their white selves.

The views on both sides of the ridge were spectacular. To the west were the Marysville Buttes with the snow-covered coast range behind it. We ate lunch on some sunny out-croppings where we could enjoy that view.

Next week there was talk of Gray Lodge once again. Since we know not everyone wants to go down there, why don't those of you who would rather hike somewhere else either comment on this blog or email me. We'll see who is interested in an alternative. (All this assumes good weather.)

Thanks to Clarence for the pictures.

Spenceville (can't seem to format these right!!)

Lunch:

Some close ups...

Picture and map from Frank Hamlin:

Clarence was back and it was visions of sunny Spenceville that drew so many of us in today. Twenty-six (I think) of us !!went west down 20 to meet the low-landers in - what? - FOG!! Oh well we got used to it - put on everything we had brought - and headed out to a five mile rambling hike that felt like we were going in circles. Other than a few long, steep hills, the hike was easy and slow enough that John and I felt we could heal from our 12 mile "death march" in Pt. Reyes a few days ago. (His family sure hikes quickly!) Just about everyone was there - I can only think of 3 that weren't: Cyndi, Laurie and Kim. We welcome Jo and Frank to the cyber world so that they, too, can stay connected. They each got a computer and are in the process of learning the ropes.

There were two visiting hikers, Irv and Ruth, fresh from Van Damme State Park near Mendocino, where they were campground hosts. Unfortunately they are not here permanently and they and their home will be moving on. Speaking of moving on, Barbara Blackford is selling her house and moving to an in-law unit at her daughter's in Colorado. This is not imminent but if you know anyone who wants to buy in Morgan Ranch, she has a small house there.

We were all happy to see each other as we caught up on the latest events in each others' lives. Although the scenery was less than spectacular, there were some lovely monochromatic sights in the various greens that presented themselves. A couple of young men came around with orange vests and very long guns hunting quail. Seems a little unfair as quail are such slow movers.

http://http//www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region2/graylodge/index.html

We talked about heading to Gray Lodge (west of Gridley in the Valley) next week. It is a long ride but be sure to take your binoculars and bird books. There is some walking you can do but the piece of resistance is a slow 3 mile car trip between the flooded rice fields. There is a gravel hiking trail you can take that is 2.5 miles and some smaller nature trails as well. There are picnic tables at the parking lot so we could leave our lunches in our cars.

on the trail of the peg-leg horse

Ready to ignore Christmas as it was bearing down upon us, eight hikers decided to take advantage of an unusually sunny day and stretch our legs. Seven miles of stretch. Priscilla, Maureen, Barbara G., Tiana, Jo, Karen, John, and Elly decided the sunniest non-blacktop hike would probably be Rice's Crossing. Some local residents met us at a road intersection, one expressing surprise at our intended destination. He thinks old ladies and one old man can't hike? After Maureen collected her usual dog names (Bodie and Kiara), we hiked down to the Yuba, noting the unusual prints in the mud. Did a horse carefully complete his horse shoe arc by turning the other way? We still don't know what we were looking at...a peg leg horse? Any horse or cattle experts out there? Not content with the hike's length, we continued up the dirt road from Rice's Crossing to explore and find a sunny spot to eat lunch. We ended up on some rocks and logs above the river between it and the road, soaking up the sun and quiet of the woodland.

Priscilla and the rest of us presented Karen with a stunning China Doll plant replete with Christmas ornaments for the loss of her mother. Actually Karen seemed good and looked great.

Hopefully more of you will be in town next week for another hike. We decided that the snow shoe group should go another day - maybe next week to Plantation. Besides John and Elly, Frank and Ellen, Jo, Tianna and Tammy; dies anyone else want to be included?

the Neighborhood

Pictures are in opposite order from story.

Since our driveway continues to be an ice sheet, John and I took advantage of the sun's melting rays to explore a walk up to the the Chicago Park NID ditch on the other side of 174. It was there, just as a lady had told us and wow, what a lovely level walk. We were all alone as we followed the meandering trail and have no idea how much further we could have gone.

But we started getting nervous about how long we had walked so we retraced some trail and went down an icy road to 174. To our surprise we were way past the Peardale area and had to retrace at least a mile on the busy highway which in spite of speeding vehicles, was slippery on the sides.

We went down Peardale and waded through the snow of the land trust area, and returning along the lake path to our meadow.

The hike had taken hours, must have been at least 5 miles, many of them cautiously slow due to the ice. I include this hike to show how beautiful local hiking can be. That said, we wonder if there was an official hike today. If so, please send description and pix. Thanks.