We were able to get a spot at Acorn campground at New Melones.
It was a beautiful warm weekend!
Last time we were at this campsite, November 2020, we stayed up by the RV and didn't use the picnic area to this site, 53, because of the steep hill. So before lunch, I made more steps so that I wouldn't slide down the hill just getting to the picnic table.
After settling in, eating lunch, and resting a bit from forming the top steps, we headed off down the trail to a favorite point that we like to visit.
View from the picnic table along the trail. When we visited last time in November, that embankment was totally brown. The contrast is remarkable and uplifting.
Lupines were everywhere!!
After soaking up the beauty of the purple embankment, we headed back up to the trail.
The California Oaks provided some shade along the way back.
The Park of Reclamation installed a Frisbee Disc Course at Cougar Point. We walked by numerous holes with some of the holes looking very challenging. This hole is more in the open.
Back at camp, I rested and read until dinner. Dinner that night were burgers on the Biolite. Mine of course was a veggie burger!
After a wonderful long night's rest, Meeks needed out; so, I got up to watch the birds while sipping hot tea to keep me warm.
Since the forecast was calling for hot weather, we headed up to higher elevation for our hike of the day. We had once before hiked a section of the Arnold Rim Trail.
This time we hiked from Avery Sheep Road parking to marker 32 and back, ~ 5 miles. Vegetation here is different from the vegetation at New Melones. The hike starts with a climb up to the rim marker 38. From there we had easy hike to marker 35 and then it was all downhill to marker 32. We past a parking area with a picnic table and fire ring at the top.
Due to COVID restrictions and our own need for feeling safe from COVID, our daily 4 miles of walking are done on level ground. We have stayed away from our local, popular, hilly trails. So, this hike was a bit tiring for us with the hills and elevation.
Yup, we are still smiling after that hike.
View from the bed the next morning. We took a short hike from the campground to park entrance and back. One of our get the legs moving hike before the 2 hour drive home.
