10 of us
took advantage of the shade in Redwood Park to enjoy a 2.5
mile ramble out the Bridle Tr (accessed from the fish ladder
bridge) to Chown and then back via Stream Tr.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/n414fLYJ32
There were concerns about lingering
snow and the likelihood of flowers, but the week turned
out to be as wonderful as ever. There was lots of food and
plenty of good conversation in the evenings after hikes
which had plenty to look at.
7/16
Lee and Chuck had arrived early and given clear locations
for blooming Washingtonia lilies on Mormon Emigrant; I
still missed them. Driving that road was so disorienting
with the barren terrain from the Caldor Fire of 2021. It
was a relief to drop into Silver Lake basin and see living
trees. Ulla and I took a short walk down from the overlook
on the old highway before checking in. There was not much
blooming on the upper end and still numerous snow banks.
There were 14 of us for supper which we set up on the
picnic tables between cabins 3 and 4. The Wednesday
Walkers table cloths and dishes came in very handy.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/LHhe84tm9w
7/17
We met at 8:00 and headed for Charity Valley. It seemed
best to start with the lower elevation hikes and work
upward. Unfortunately Monique felt extremely unwell and
Susan drove her back to Caples. It has been a while since
we did this hike and it was far richer, flower-wise, that
I remember. We saw some things none could remember seeing
there and others in far greater profusion. The hikers soon
separated into walkers and botanizers. We met up again at
the big rock above the "falls". Here the group separated
again with some heading further, some going down to the
river for lunch and others heading slowly back to the
cars.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/YkynCfrv8k
7/18
This was the day chosen to climb up to Meiss Col and hunt
for steer's heads, the peony and the Beckwith violets as
well as the calochortus, iris and other favorites. It was
slow going as we kept stopping to look at and id things. We found the steer's heads in
the usual shaded spot, but they were about done. The
number of calochortus in the zigzag section was amazing!
The peony was fading, but Robin and Donita found many more
plants across the trail. There was still snow at the pond
and the iris were really just starting to open. Then we
followed Lee to the area where she has previously found
the violets Yes!! There were still plenty of unfaded ones.
The return was even more spread out than the ascent with
Susan, Delia and John going up the hillside above the
trail for their lunch and exploring their way back. Lee,
Robin, Donita and Karen also paralleled the trail on the
uphill side as far as the pond. Chuck, Lesley and Ulla
went down first. Linda, Jennifer and Carol stuck to the
trail. And we found steer's heads in better condition on
the way back thanks to a hint from Susan.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/t989U5jd76
7/19
The hiking group was divided. Susan left a hiking pole
behind on the Meiss hike and wanted to see if she could
find it. She joined Linda, Jennifer and Carol for a hike
up the old highway from Red Lake. Lesley left for the long
drive back to San Diego. So that left eight of us to hike
up to the ridge from Schneider's camp. Good thing the
Taylors and the McCaffrees vehicles could manage the
rutted road. Lots of flowers and great views as usual!!
Supper at Kirkwood Inn.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/jQ97YspDfN
7/20
The road into
Woods Lake is still closed by a huge snowdrift about
half way in, so the only practical access to
Frog/Winnemucca is from Carson Pass. The
Taylor's friend Karol joined us on our visit to Frog Lake
(and beyond) so there were twelve of us as Carol didn't
hike. Since Karol and her husband have a cabin at Lake
Kirkwood, she has hiked this area frequently. We walked up
in various groups and met investigating the slope above
the west end of the lake: lots to see there!! Karol took a
group of us over and around the rocky end of that rise to
their favorite picnic spot which has a glorious view to
the west. Most of us moved slowly clockwise around the
lake, moving cautiously over the slippery snowbank on the
south shore. Then the group separated with Susan, Delia,
John, Karol and Linda walking cross country in the
direction of Winnemucca (it still has snow and ice in the
lake), while the others, in various groupings, returned to
the cars.
Lee talked to the management and settled on dates for next
year (7/7-7/11) with each of us to confirm accommodation
as we checked out. Our last supper was generous with all
the leftovers making a substantial meal.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/01cZq0uE9u
7/21
So
another Caples week was over and we left as we could get
our belongings packed up. The last group of pictures
includes some from Mormon Emigrant as I was determined to
find the lilies! And this time there were no tailgating
pickups on my tail so I could safely pull over.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Z2oT4x4i3t
The forecast was for
significant warming but there was fog on the hills until just
before the turn for the steam train parking. 8 of us made the
hike which certainly seemed longer (up, down, down a lot, up a
lot) than the 3 miles calculated by Google Earth! Out Seaview
Tr, down Big Springs, along the road to Arroyo, then Vollmer
Peak Tr back to the start, There were plenty of flowers and the
trail alternated sun and shade. We were glad to get back to the
cars and extra water though.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/e83S5008ai
It was so foggy it was "raining" as 10 of us started the East Ridge, Prince, Stream trails loop at Redwood Regional Park. But it wasn't really cold and it turned into a very nice walk. There is plenty of evidence of the winter storms and still water in Redwood Creek. 3 mi.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/9u2b2y7b0a
There were just 6 of us on this first day of summer. We walked a CCW loop: Bear Creek trail to the meadow opposite the archery range and then Seaborg Tr back to the parking lot. Not quite 2 miles, but lots and lots to look at and enjoy.
The original plan had been to walk CW, but after Lee checked the creek crossing and added her memories of the trail, we decided it would be better to reverse the direction. She was so right!! The creek which looked so easy to cross last week was not as easy in fact. But a few splashes and no slips and we were all scrambling up the bank on the far side. There was lots!! of poison oak and much of it really earned the specific of "diversilobum". Many of the leaves were deceptively huge and very smooth. There were extensive patches of the Rupertia and the Prosartes and pipevine, too, lots of honeysuckle in bloom and more and more and more to look at.
The fog and clouds were lifting as 11 of us started out the Abrigo Valley Trail. Things are drying fast, but there was still moving water in several spots and most vegetation still looks fresh. We went as far as where the trail begins the ascent to the Briones Crest Tr, then most of us turned around and headed back the way we came (just under 3 miles). We met Delia coming to join us and she went on to meet those who had gone further. We were all back to the picnic area shortly after 11 and got most set up by the time the 5 non hikers arrived. This year we brought our own lunches and many brought things to share. A very pleasant time!!
Well, I was not only partially right in assuming that the creek crossings should be easy and that there would be flowers.
There were more Calochortus and Clarkia and Triteleia than we had ever seen there and the Buckeye's were packed with blossoms. We did have wet stream crossings, tho. Everyone got their feet wet and I was glad Phred was busy taking pictures and didn't document me sitting down in the middle of one of the crossings.
All in all a wonderful walk. Just over 3 miles.
