There were 11 of us today on our first group hike in a month. We
made the 3 mile loop from Inspiration Pt.; down Meadows Canyon Tr,
along Wildcat Creek and up Curran Tr.
There was plenty to see and it was good to be together and back on the trails.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/0Kht78fZ41
6/15/2025 Arrival and getting settled
Chuck, Lee and Robin (Lee’s sister) went up Friday, the rest of us trickled in late Sunday afternoon, with Leslie (Lee and Chuck’s daughter) and Isabella (their grand-daughter) arriving late as they had driven all the way from San Diego.
John and Delia had cabin 4; Lee and Chuck were in Cabin 3 and our “dining room” was the space between the two cabins. Susan, Becki and Linda Verobik. shared Cabin 1 and the remaining 7 (Donita, Karen, Robin, Jennifer, Leslie, Isabella and Linda J.) filled all six lodge rooms. That makes 14 of us.
We had plenty of hors d’oeuvres and wine to precede the, by now, traditional first supper of soup and salad.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/AcL109Xe07
6/15/2025 Charity Valley
People met promptly at 8:30 to carpool to the trailhead and we were on the trail by 9. As usually happens the group spread out, forming and reforming smaller groups whose pace and interests matched. We agreed to meet at the “waterfall” and Chuck, Leslie and Isabella were soon out of sight, while the rest of us spent lots of time looking at plants along the way. John and Delia, Susan and Linda V. turned back before reaching the falls. Distance approximately 3.25 miles.
In spite of the early date and the elevation (roughly 7800’ per the USGS topo, tho phone apps registered higher) there was lots to see. The surprises were an increase in the number of peonies and masses of an uncertain species of Allium. Susan and Linda spent a good deal of time and think they finally id’d it.
Another good meal and camaraderie to end the day.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/GVHK5C9Lxs
6/17/2025 Meiss Col to hunt for Beckwith violets
8:30 found us loading into carpools and we were booted, slathered with mosquito repellant and sun screen and on the trail by 9.
It doesn’t matter how many times we walk this section of trail there is always lots to see and appreciate. This time there were also huge, persistent swarms of mosquitos which followed us until we finally got some strong breezes higher up.
It was early for the iris, there were plenty of buds, and a bit past the peony’s prime, but perfect timing for the violets!
When we had tired of looking at violets we retraced our steps and followed the posts up the western ridge to the rocky area we call the “flower garden”. Wonderful views, breezes to repel mosquitos and moderate the temperature, enough flowers to satisfy us – it would be hard to ask for more.
A bit over 5 miles (hard to calculate when we wandered about so) and the lunch spot was at over 9100’.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/zMGHb4071T
06/18/2025 from Schneiders Camp
The road into Schneiders was clear and we were lucky to have 3 vehicles with high enough clearance to brave the ruts. Again we were on the trail by 9.
The climb up to the ridge is always slow for many of us (we start at 8300’ and the ridge is 9100’) but there was lots to engage our attention. For lunch we went on north as far as the big log by the hemlocks with a view of Lake Tahoe. Chuck and Isabella, followed by Lee, Robin, Leslie, Linda J and Jennifer went further toward Showers Lake…just to look :-)
Again, mileage is approximate and altitude has to be considered; about 3 miles to the lunch spot and back with another half mile or more for the group which walked on toward showers. At least a mile of that was over 9000’ for everyone.
We had dinner reservation at the Caples Lodge restaurant. Karol and Will Robinson joined us, so there were two tables of 8. Very good food!!
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/M41VJ61R29
06/19/2025 varied
John and Delia had to leave for home, Jennifer took Becki who had missed the Monday hike to to Charity Valley. Chuck tweaked his back and didn’t hike.
The rest of us divided into two groups. Lee, Leslie and Isabella started at Woods Lake and walked up to Winnemucca and then on to the spot where the trail descends to Round Top Lake. The rest of us took two cars to the pass parking lot and walked to Frog, around the lake, then made a short spur along the PCT to the base of Elephant’s Back before returning and continuing to Lake Winnemucca. The two groups met at Winnemucca. Several of the Frog group crossed the logs at the lake outlet and went hunting for the white heather (Cassiope mertensiana) and the Kalmia which Lee had seen. Robin joined the Woods group for the return and the rest of us retraced our steps (minus the walk around Frog Lk).
Again milage is approximate. For the Woods group a bit under 4 ½ miles; for the Frog group a bit over 6 ½ miles (with 1 ½ to 2 miles over 9000’)
We were all glad to get back! Supper was leftovers (you wouldn’t have guessed, there was so much good food).
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/6130VuYRN4
Friday morning found us packing the cars and heading back to “civilization”.
That’s the story of the 2025 invasion of Caples Lake Resort by the “flower ladies” (and gentlemen).
Lee talked to Gwen and we are on the books for the week before 4th of July (6/28-7/3) 2026!!
It was cool to start, but we were grateful for the cool breeze off the fog as we climbed up the hill. There was plenty to look at: masses of monkeyflower and ocean spray with smaller things hiding below. Nine of us plus Murphy; a bit over 3.75 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/7Es0k222T0
06/04 - Redwood Regional Park
It was a perfect morning for walking!! There were just 9 of us today doing the easy loop at Redwood RP. Starting from the Fish Ladder we made a clockwise loop out the Bridle Tr as far as the Fern Tr junction with Stream Tr (picnic tables and Digitalis) then back Stream Tr. There was a lot to look at so we were not very speedy. About 3 miles.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/1P4eDTK5p2
05/28 - Pacheco Marsh
I didn't walk...see Phred's Pictures: https://www.flickr.com/gp/phredspix/195a4o16o0
The forecast was for hot inland and temperate by the Bay, so we headed to Pt Pinole in search of Blue and Gold: Brodiaea elegans and Calochortus luteus. We were not disappointed, both were more abundant than we could recall having seen!!
We made a clockwise loop from the Atlas Rd entrance out to the coast and north to the pier, then back "owl alley". There were 11 of us on the 2.75+/- mile walk.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/6W0K084959
