Eastman Lake Wildcat-- or Coyotes

On Superbowl weekend, we headed to Wildcat Campground at Eastman Lake to hike the entire Lakeview Trail up to Raymond Bridge.

Last time we hiked the Lakeview Trail was with Meeks. We went from the campground to the bench at the 1 mile marker on the trail and back to campground, total 4 miles. That was in May 2021 and Meeks was still able to hike that distance. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 17 at the end of January 2022. 

Since we no longer had to worry about long distances, we decided to try completing the 8 mile roundtrip from the parking lot to Raymond Bridge and back. Last time we tried this hike in May 2017 the water level of the lake was so high that we could not complete the hike. This time on a very unseasonably hot day, 84 degrees, we made it! 

The water level is extremely low! California needs rain or this year's snowmelt better be enough to fill the lake like it looked back in 2017. The Chowchilla River is so low that sandbars are visible. 

Back at camp, we enjoyed our favorite quiet spot away from the crowds, which are located over the knoll in the other campground. There was one other camper during the day and another couple came in right before dusk. Although numerous times through the night we heard the coyotes howling, the howling didn't disturb us since we knew we were guest in the coyotes' habitat. 

We woke after a very peaceful sleep to sunshine and warmth. We sat outside for our breakfast and enjoyed the view with sounds of the birds chattering. 

Ming checked the screws on RV before heading down the trail by campground to the spillway area. 

From the spillway area, we took a trail that turned into an animal trail down to the lake. This area is normally way under water. The dam is in the background of the photo above. California needs rain because I doubt the snowmelt will fill this area to how it was in 2017. 

We passed many areas that had mooring balls resting on the ground beside rocks. So sad to see this, but at same time interesting to see how many mooring balls are positioned around this area of the lake. 

A bit of Spring's sunshine to remind us that Winter is almost over. 

Cold December

 We went to one of our favorite winter camping spots on December 18th before kids came home to celebrate Christmas.

Acorn Campground at New Melones had only five sites occupied.  Everyone was spread out that it felt like one had the entire campground to themselves. We snagged our favorite spot to enjoy the views of Table Mountain and watch the bicyclist heading onto the trails. 

It was a cold night, low 30s. A hearty bowl of spicy Mexican corn soup help warm us up...

Along with Ms. Buddy Heater!

Meeks curled up into a ball, while we used quilts to keep our legs warm.

We slept under one sheet and five blankets; I made two of the quilts. 

We're ready to go back, but in warmer temperatures to check on the water level. The water was the lowest we have ever seen and this was after the first big storm we had the month before.

Skykomish

 Where are we going asked Meeks as we loaded her into the car? North, to the land of green.

We went on a vacation to visit our daughter and her fiance in Seattle since they recently moved there and we hadn't seen them since 2019. While visiting, we rented a cabin, BiFrost, in Skykomish and explore some of the trails and history to this beautiful region just west of Stevens Pass on Hwy 2. 

First day, we explored the quiet neighborhood where the cabin is located. We found a couple of trails leading down to the river. One trail had a public area beside the river with a picnic table. There were numerous blackberry bushes loaded with ripe berries just waiting to be picked!

Second day, we took a drive to see the sleepy town of Skykomish and to hike to Deception Falls.

There were just a couple of families out exploring the falls too.

Third day, we headed in direction of Stevens Pass to hike Iron Goat trail.

We started at Martin Creek trailhead and trekked the gentle grade down; this was once a railroad bed. While family chatted, I enjoyed the lush, green plants. 

We read the numerous interpretive signs that tell about the many tunnels once used and the 800 people (mainly Japanese immigrants) that built the railway. My father would have loved this hike. The present day railroad bed is parallel to Highway 2, which follows the valley and river.

The moss and ferns are beautiful. Yup, truly the land of the green, even in this summer's drought.

We hiked over this truss bridge. Meeks did well here!

After exploring the tunnels, we headed back to the connector trail with a couple of long switchbacks to the upper trail. From there we took the upper trail back to the car with Nari leading the way.

There is more to explore! Those adventures will have to wait for future visits. Along with seeing the progress of BiFrost. Maybe a visit back to this region in 5 years.

Seattle is fun!

Next visit, we will have to pick a region west of Seattle to explore and learn about its history.

Wildcat In May

 

Late posting our end of May trip to Eastman Lake. It was the weekend before Memorial Weekend and before the heatwave due that week. Everything is totally dry and brown.  We were in Wildcat site W14. There were two other groups, but no one was camped near us. So again, it was like having the campground to ourselves.

We cut across Cordoniz Campground, walked across the main road, up the hill, and down to parking area for Lakeview Trail head. That was about a mile. Since our dog is now 16 years old and not moving as quickly as a young pup like she did last year, we only hike a mile on the trail.

I did say very thing is parched, and the water level is extremely low for this time of year. We are in for extreme drought conditions this year. You can see the dam off in the distance and take note of the water level. Eeks!

We take a rest at the 1 mile marker bench for dog, to enjoy the views, and breeze before heading back to camp.

Back at camp, we rest from the 4 mile hike and enjoy the solitude of the campground. We watched a large bird taking care of its young in the campsite across and slightly up the hill from our site. Great entertainment for the evening! I'm sure even with temperatures going into the double digits the campground was still full on Memorial Weekend--no thank you. We are looking forward to returning, but for now Eastman will have to wait until late Fall or early Winter when temperatures are much cooler. 

Back to Tuttletown

 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. 

For me seeing Mule's Ears is far more rewarding than the new metal holes at Cougar Point.

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.