Along the Pacific

Hendy Woods State Park with ancient redwoods









scarlet monkey flower and a thick stand of horsetails in a dry river bed





lunch companion along the coast



California poppy and belladonna lilies on Route 1










the Skunk Train at Fort Bragg





on the Pygmy Forest Trail at Jug Handle Reserve

9/16/16 - Sonora Pass

Traveled to the pass and hiked on the Pacific Crest Trail. Our last hurrah before heading to the coast.

















Then down the other side of 108 to vistas overlooking Leavitt Meadow and Tower Peak.

9/14/16 - Sugar Pine Railroad Trail

We met up with Corky for a hike along the old railroad bed that used to deliver lumber from remote forest areas to sawmills. Lots of towering old trees with thick beds of needles and pine cones, more wildflowers and beautiful overlooks of the river with a fish ladder and water chutes.

9/13/16 - Along Route 108 and the Stanislaus River

We woke to pre-dawn ice pellets clattering on the cabin roof. An early snow coated the Sonora Pass and the tips of peaks around the cabin. The ground was lightly coated with ice pellets that soon melted.




The cabin warmed quickly with a fire blazing in the pot belly stove.



Off to see the sights along Route 108 east toward Dardanelle. Donnell Vista overlooking the reservoir and the steep granite walls.



The Columns of the Giants -- vertical basalt rock columns polished during ice ages.



Lunch on the banks of the Stanislaus River.





At the end of the day, evening clouds settled in around the cabin.





Corky saved the next morning's newspaper for us.

9/12/16 - Hiking the Gianelli Cabin Trail to Burst Rock and Powell Lake

A route along the old emigrant trail used during the Gold Rush years, travelers brought their wagons over the top of Burst Rock and down the slope to Pinecrest. At the summit of Burst Rock (9,100 ft.) you can see the Stanislaus River canyon. Lots of switch-backing up a well-maintained trail with a 500 ft elevation gain.









Cresting the peak we started down the other side hoping to find Powell Lake. Hikers kept us going by saying it was just a little further. Wildflowers still blooming lined the trail -- late season asters, a lovely species of Alpine Gentian, parasitic pinedrops (with very little to no chlorophyll), bush lupine.









We reached Powell Lake in time for lunch on the rocks with a beautiful overlook.



Rocky vista of Chewing Gum Lake on the opposite side of the trail heading back to Burst Rock and down to the trail head.