Thursday

Last night when we went for our walk to the other campground we stopped at the Host site to ask a question.  There was a fellow there that had this walking stick that he had carved out of a single piece of wood.  The rattlesnake is beautiful even if you don't care for snakes. The picture just doesn't do it justice.

Today started much cooler than yesterday's 86 degrees with the high forecast today to be around 74 degrees with cloudy skies.

We got a late start but did the Carson Creek Trail starting near the turnoff to Angel Creek boat ramp (dry).  The trail was mostly in open oak woodland with some large expanses of grass.  Along the way you cross Carson Creek and then some small trickles of water from seasonal springs.

See: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/docs/maps/map-new-melones-lake-trail.pdf   for trail maps.

The grasses along the trail ranged from 18" to 4' tall with some on the up side of the trail taller than my shoulders.  That is why about the only wildflowers were Brodiaea and Fiddleneck as they grow tall enough to get some sun.

With the breeze it was near impossible to catch the Fiddleneck when it wasn't moving.

The trail splits and to the left goes to the Tower Trail (listed as a challenging 1.3 mile climb) and to the right or straight ahead is the loop around an island if the lake it full.  We went to the right and did the loop.

On the exposed banks there were patches of lupine as the grass was short.

This was one of the closest patches of Lupine we found to photograph.

On the return to the trailhead about 200-300 yards before it there was a rattlesnake about 2-1/2' long crossing the trail.  I was too busy making sure it continued across the trail and up into the grass to take a picture.  Once it was completely in the tall grass we gave it wide berth as we passed the spot.  Just a little excitement.

We haven't seen any bald eagles yet but have managed to see a number of other creatures. Besides seeing deer, and listening to coyotes at night we have seen a number of birds. There have been lots of wild turkeys, ravens, Great Blue Heron (a pair flying and calling to each other), Osprey, hawks, vultures, woodpeckers and lots of small birds flitting about and singing in the trees.

No that isn't us by the fire ring.

We have continued to have this arm of the campground almost to ourselves with only one other couple down the hill several sites below us.  Nice and quiet except for the noise we make.

We have had a nice campfire each night and will leave what wood left over for the next campers.  We will go home in the morning.  It has been a great few spring days in the Sierra foothills!

We have a lot on our schedules until June when "We are off to" Oregon.

Wednesday

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Tuesday

After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast of potatoes and eggs (scrambled with bacon) we went to check out Angels Creek and Buck Brush trails.  The gate into Angels Creek area was locked and after driving to the trail head for Buck Brush loop we decided to go to the Tuttle Creek recreation area across the bridge and out on another arm into the lake.

We decided to take the Heron Point trail loop as it would have views of the lake for most of it.  The lake was in view most of the way but a long way down from the trail.  Last time we took this trail the lake was much higher and not too far below the trail.  

Linda wanted a selfie before we started the trail.

Heron Point Loop Trail 

From this point you can see just how far the ramp is out of the water and how much further down you have to go to reach the old ramps.  The usual ramp is at the top of the hill on the right.

Parts of the trail were well shaded but on both sides of it was Poison Oak.  It was cut back enough so unless you were careless you wouldn't come in contact with it.

Vetch

There weren't as many wildflowers as we had hoped. This was mainly due to the tall grass cover everywhere and from the ample rain we have received this winter.  In some of the open areas on the exposed banks of the lake shore there were large patches of Lupine but too far away to get good pictures.  

Not sure what these flowers are.

There were a number of Manzanita bushes which were closer to being trees than bushes.  There were a few that had trunks over 12" in diameter.

Next we crossed the Highway 49 bridge over the lake to go to Jackass Hill.

On the top of Jackass Hill is the Mark Twain cabin that he is said to have lived in.  It is more likely that he stayed here for a short time.

Jackass Hill is less than ten miles south of Angels Camp, home of the frog jumping contest that Mark Twain wrote about and is an annual event held each spring.  It brings thousands to the town both for the frog jump and County Fair. 

New Melones Lake is a great place to visit in the spring and fall when the temperatures are moderate but best in the spring with the new foliage.  If you have a boat and plan to spend a lot of time on the water then the summer is best.  The heat is fine when you are on the water and at the end of the day you can return to the shade in the campground when the temperatures start to come down.

After a nice day with a high of 76 degrees we needed nourishment.  It wasn't much but grilled bacon wrapped filets, baked potatoes, and roasted asparagus from our garden for dinner hit the spot.

Spring in the Sierra Foothills

It looks like we have picked a perfect time for another outing as the weather is forecast to be sunny skies, days in the mid to upper 70s, nights in the high 40 to low 50s and only light breezes.  Doesn't get much better than that.  That is the forecast for the entire week we plan to be camping.

We are at one of our go-to places in the spring which is New Melones Lake near Angels Camp, CA.

http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/

http://www.recreation.gov/unifSearchInterface.do?interface=%2FrecreationalAreaDetails.do&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=25&recAreaId=25&agencyCode=70905

Due to the drought the lake is lower than I've ever seen it but is coming up with the March rains and will rise faster as the snow higher up melts.  Certainly won't be up much while we are here and some of the lake arms are green with grass not blue with water.  Still it is a very pretty time of year with all the new growth on the trees and new grass sporting various shades of green.

Campsite but not overlooking the water (just grass) 

It didn't take someone long to start relaxing.

This island is normally under water.

A month ago there was no water around this island.

All of the boat ramps are a long way out of the water except for the ones that were built before the lake filled when the dam was finished.  To reach them there are long dusty gravel roads down to where they exist.  All of the rental houseboats are parked on top of the hill along with many private houseboats.  The marina is closed until the water comes up a lot more.

We didn't come for boating but just to enjoy the spring weather.  What is better than a nice fire at the end of the day.

For some it is roasting marshmallows for s'mores!

Or even better, eating them!!!

The end of a great day.