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.