TCT #26 -- Baja

Rainy hike, December 2018

Saw a juvenile eagle, 12/18

The next hike is the thing -- and our next hike is on Saturday, February 1, 2020.  We'll be going out to the Tuttletown Recreation Area of New Melones Lake.  We'll hike a combination of trails with the centerpiece being the Heron Point trail.  The idea is to get about 6 miles in.  This will be an easy hike.  The draw is that the manzanita should be in bloom and the little vase-like white flowers attract hummingbirds.  The lake itself attracts eagles, so we have a chance of seeing very small to very large birds.  Mark your calendar!

The January 2020 episode, TCT #26 -- Baja, features highlights of my winter vacation to Playa El Coyote and Mulege in Baja California Sur.  We drove, rested, relaxed, ate, drank, sang, and, (of course!) hiked.  One of the hikes was to a 7,000 year old cave painting site, Canyon La Trinidad.  A guide is required to this UNESCO treasure.  We signed up with Salvador Castro.  He took us and two others on an adventure that started with a long, bumpy drive through the desert.

We also have audio trip reports of our snowshoeing expedition on the Crabtree Loop near Dodge Ridge and some Dragoon Gulch news, namely -- Saturday 1/25/20 Lunar New Year (Rat!) trail work day (contact anderson95370@gmail.com for info) and Sunday 2/23/20 annual Dragoon Gulch 5k & 10k Hike and Run fundraiser (register here: https://www.active.com/sonora-ca/running/distance-running-races/dragoon-gulch-run-2020).  Theses are non-TCT events, but we highly endorse them and hope to see you there!

Here's a link to the audio of the episode:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o7WoBFpdJtXUyrgT2C3rwUqqESRGjHRx/view?usp=sharing

Dean, Cuervo, Sandy, Salvador

Dolphins at Canyon La Trinidad cave painting site

near Mulege, BCS MX

Take a tour with Salvador.  He has an info booth at Hotel Las Casitas in Mulege or

email him at mulegetours@hotmail.com

Maggie and Yogi on the trail with Playa El Coyote in the background

Trip Report - Snowshoeing at Crabtree Loop, 1/4/20

Deverie, Lynne, Bridgette, Mike, Joan, Ron, Lewis, Sue, Steve, Brian, Sharon, Bret, Barb, Donna, Jim, Renee,

Robert, Karie, Mike, and Sally

On 1/4/20, we went snowshoeing!  We'd intended to go snowshoe at Pinecrest Lake, but the reports from rangers and Trail Heads was that there wasn't sufficient snow for a safe or satisfying experience at lake-level.  However, a short drive away, up Dodge Ridge Road just before the ski resort, the Nordic trails were reported to be high enough to have a good base.  So, off we went to tromp about on the Crabtree Loop, a moderately-easy, 4.5 mile trail with only about a 330' elevation gain: perfect for beginners.  We had about 24 in our group, some new to TCT, some new to snowshoeing, and some taking snowshoeing up after a long hiatus; some in elementary school and some retirees.  After strapping on our snowshoes, we set off through the forest on what ended up to be a sunny day full of warm surprises!  Here's a link to a very useful map, should you want to head out on your own.  We took route 1.  As you can see, there are some loops and spurs off of route 1 that can extend or intensify your outing.  Also, there are other routes that offer steep, satisfying climbs to outstanding vistas!  https://www.dodgeridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Nordic-Map-AI.pdf

Corinne & Amelia

Crunchy, older snow, still

conditions were good

Snowshoeing under

sunny skies

Ron provides trail magic: fresh hot cocoa!  Barb enjoys.

Barb & Brett

Donna, Sue, Renee & Jim

Karie & Wendy

Wendy and Amelia's snowperson

Out of the forest & returning to the 

trailhead via Crabtree Road

UPDATE - 1/4/20 Snowshoeing at CRABTREE

We will be snowshoeing on 1/4/20, yay!  However, our Trail Head scouts and the rangers at Pinecrest say the snow at Pinecrest Lake isn't adequate for a safe and satisfying snowshoeing experience.  So, we're revamping the location very slightly -- we'll snowshoe at the Crabtree Loop at the Nordic area near Dodge Ridge.  The loop is about 4.1 miles with an elevation change of about 330' and is rated as one of the "easiest" trails by the Forest Service.  If you have Kathi Joye's book "more Day Hikes Along the Highway 108 Corridor," see page 201, "Crabtree - Redwood Semi-Loop from Crabtree Nordic Trailhead," for a description.  Kathi says, "This Dodge Ridge Nordic trek is one of the easier snowshoe/cross-country ski loops in this location.  The well-marked trail winds its way through a mixed coniferous forest and past small meadows and seasonal creeks with gradual slopes.  There are no dramatic viewpoints but the forest is quiet, the pine aroma is heady and with snow on the ground, the ambience is magical."  Magical is right!  Sound enticing?  Here are the details:

To carpool/caravan, meet at Mi-Wok Ranger Station at 8:15; leave at 8:30.  Or meet at Pinecrest Ranger Station at 8:55; leave at 9am.  Parking is limited at the trailhead, so we will carpool/caravan from the Pinecrest Ranger Station.  DO NOT MEET AT THE CRABTREE TRAILHEAD!  We should start snowshoeing by 9:30.  We should be back to Mi-Wok by 3pm.

Bring snowshoes and poles.  Rent at Sierra Nevada Adventure Co. in Sonora (or Avery) or Heidi's in Cold Springs.  You may be able to rent from Dodge Ridge, as well.  Dress for snow -- warm, waterproof pants and boots, gloves, beanie.  Bring water and snacks/lunch.  A thermos with a hot drink is a special treat!

Here's a map of the Nordic trails.  We'll be on number 1.  https://www.dodgeridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Nordic-Map-AI.pdf

RSVP by 8pm Friday, January 3, if you're going to join us.