Ironhorse

We did back-to-back weekends of camping since the weather forecast had called for another warm weekend. So, back we headed to New Melones lake to check out the Ironhorse campground.

We picked an area in the one loop in which nobody else was camping.

There were no neighbors around. We only had views of the lake and the oak trees that have been hit by the blight. After setting up camp and eating lunch, we headed up to Arnold to hike a portion of the Arnold Rim Trail.

We parked at the Valley View Road staging area to hike a loop that would bring us to Cougar Rock. From the staging area, we hiked the P9 trail with Mountain Misery (aka bear clover) on either side of the trail until we descended the one ridge and came to the junction of the P9 and the ART.

We followed the ART along the creek for a short ways and then crossed the creek and started the climb up the next ridge to Cougar Rock.

After a moderate climb, we were rewarded with a beautiful vista. 

After soaking up the views of the region, we headed back down the ridge.

We quickly left the ART from Cougar Rock, took the P8 back to the P9, and made the last climb on P9 back to the car. This hike was such a delightful surprise. Many times we have driven past Arnold on our way to Alpine lake region, and I had always wondered what trails were in the Arnold area. Now that we know of this gem with wonderful trails to explore, we will be back to explore more of the ART.

Back at camp, our fearless dog was reward with a Junior Ranger New Melones pin from the friendly camp host, Justin, after telling him of our hiking adventure for the day. Justin had remembered us visiting last weekend at the Big Oak campsite. When he saw that we had returned from our hiking adventure for the day, he came over to our campsite to welcome us back. After chatting with him for a bit, he went off and then quickly came back with the Junior Ranger pin. He is the nicest camp host that we have ever met.

After another restful and quiet sleep, the next morning we took a hike along the section of the Carson Creek trail that we didn't do the previous weekend. 

When the water is low, a land bridge forms to connect a small island to the mainland. We decided to check out the island since the water was low for us to cross onto the island without getting our feet wet. I'm facing the island, but looking at some large house boats at the mooring dock close to the island.

After hiking the loop around the island, we headed back to the mainland for the trek back to camp. There were numerous folks out fishing that day. We only met one couple hiking the trail. Back at camp, we walked the loop noting sites for future stays.

Big Oak

Since the weather was warm, upper 70s, we headed out to New Melones for an overnighter at the lake. We figured that there wouldn't be too many folks camping since it was Super Bowl weekend, and we were correct!

We were able to pick a spot away from those camping lower down on the hill and closer to the lake. We still had lake views, but we also had lots of privacy.

This was the last weekend for Big Oak to be open. The next week the Bureau of Reclamation would be opening Ironhorse campground, which is located across the street from Big Oak campground. The Bureau alternates between the two campgrounds in the winter so that the birds nesting in this area of New Melones lake are protected. I saw lots of redheaded woodpeckers and California quail while here.

After settling in and having lunch, we headed off to hike a loop starting at Gold Rush trail over to the Carson Creek trail and then the climb up Tower Climb trail to Fire Access Road and back to camp.

We saw many houseboats docked as we hiked along the Carson Creek trail. The Tower climb wasn't as steep as I had read. Most of the trails are rated moderate, but I would classify them as easy-moderate.

Back at camp we enjoyed a quiet evening of watching the boaters traveling out of the park to home.

After a lazy morning, we headed on a hike on the Frontier trail and Gold Rush trail. Both trails are on either side of the road that goes to the Angels Creek Boat Launch area.

Along Frontier trail was an area beside this bridge with a picnic table. We made note of this as a great place to rest and have lunch the next time we hike this trail out to check Buck Brush and Angels Creek areas.

Picnic table is to the right of the Buckeye trees that line the creek.

As we approach the Angels Creek Boat Launch area, we see a glider and what looks like a spaceship from the trail. We of course wonder how the heck did a glider get there. Luckily, we were able to watch the owners of the glider dismantle the wings and tuck the glider into the towing capsule for the glider. The owners had towed the glider into the park to have pictures taken of the glider. We found out that the owner is the designer of this model glider and was having pictures taken for advertisement of the glider kit. It was such a surprise to see a glider in the land of boats, hills, and water.

After that adventure and surprise, we headed back to camp, packed up camp, and headed home in time for the game.