Trip Report - Melones Railroad Grade, 4/7/18

Ranger Hilary Maxworthy of the Bureau of Reclamation promised to take us on a wildflower hike, and boy, she delivered! As about 30 Trail Heads gathered in an April shower to walk the usually restricted (Homeland Security) Melones Railroad Grade in the Peoria area near Jamestown, we were immediately treated to tiny Butter and Eggs carpeting the parking area of the Equestrian Staging Area. While she was awaiting us, Ranger Hilary said that she watched an Osprey return with a fish to a nest in a nearby power pole. A promising start to our hike!

The overnight “atmospheric river” and continuing light drizzle rendered the trail – normally dirt – into sloppy, slippery mud. We had to watch our footing, and many of us used hiking poles for stability. This initial section of the route took us through a grassy, green oak woodland with rolling hills and inspiring views ending in distant mist. And Brewers Lupine, lots and lots of lupine. After about 3/4-mile, we were rain-free and soon on the well-drained railroad grade which we followed for most of our 4.25 mile hike. The railroad grade was hewn out of the north-facing wall of the Stanislaus River canyon to get materials out to the construction site of the original Melones Dam (now beneath the waters of New Melones Lake). This provides a protected environment for diminutive, delicate wildflowers. Some of the names I remember are Fairy Lantern, Chinese House, Sticky Monkeyflower, Seep-spring

Monkeyflower, Buck Brush, Popcorn Flower, Frying Pan Poppy, Miners Lettuce, Hairy Fringepod, Phacelia, Gold Field, asters, Blue Dick, Paintbrush, Liveforever, Bush Lupine, Redbud, Buckeye. There was also a very healthy crop of Poison Oak. Along the way, Ranger Hilary related stories and showed photos of the building of the railroad and the first Melones Dam. She also talked about the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere thanks to gymnosperms and angiosperms and pollenators and what we can do to help the wildflowers which give us diversity, life, and beauty (what we can do is NOT pick them so they can do their jobs!). We got up close and personal with the earthen New Melones Dam (2nd highest, after Oroville, in CA) then retraced the two miles back to our cars for a bonus jaunt up to the Dam Overlook (Ranger Hilary opened the gate for our party). While taking another look at the dam and part of the trail we'd just walked, we spotted several immature Bald Eagles soaring above!

The Peoria area of New Melones Lake is northwest of Jamestown. Take O’Byrnes Ferry Rd. toward Copperopolis. Turn right at New Peoria Flat Rd. (the sign for “Baseline Conservation Camp” is prominent). Take a hard right at the Baseline Conservation Camp onto Old Melones Dam Rd. The first trailhead is on the left, the Equestrian Staging Area with a port-a-potty and ample parking. The second trailhead is further up Old Melones Dam Rd. at the closed gate. There is limited parking here.

We were originally going to use this second trailhead for our Peoria area outing which was to be a 4-mile loop up the strenuous Peoria Mountain trail with a moderate traverse to the ridge then down via the Green Springs trail. Because of its low elevation, the Peoria area is accessible year-round. It's especially lovely in the spring with poppies, vetch, green grass, and oaks leafing-out. However, it can be very hot in late spring and summer -- bring WATER! It's also popular with deer hunters during the season -- wear ORANGE! If you go on our own, be aware that this area isn't well-signed; you'll have to use your "trail sense" to find your way. However, the trails seem to connect and it’s fairly easy to get oriented due to the prominent landmarks of the lake and/or the mountain.

Here's a map of the trails in the Peoria area:
https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/docs/maps/map-peoria-wildlife-area.pdf

Here's a map of all the trails at New Melones Lake:

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

Listen to the May TCT radio program for Trail Head reviews of the New Melones RR Grade Wildflower Hike.

TCT #4 -- Melones Railroad Grade, Jamestown/Peoria Flat

TCT #4 -- Trail Heads AND rangers are BURLY!! Sonora and the higher elevations woke up to snow on the morning of our Table Mountain hike. Ranger Mike McGraw dug himself out and was there at the trailhead with rangers Jarred and Josh and 15 unfazed hikers. We enjoyed a break in the weather for the duration of the short (3 mile round trip) hike. The vernal pools were flooded and didn't afford much in the way of invertebrate discovery, however, we were treated to a trailside cascade on the way up to the top of the expansive mesa. Get ready for a spring wildflower extravaganza on our next hike. We're going to the New Melones Reservoir area again, and Ranger Hilary Maxworthy has arranged for a rare hike (6 fairly easy miles) along the old Melones Railroad Grade to the New Melones Dam and Overlook (these sites are usually closed due to Homeland Security concerns).

Trip Report - Table Mountain, 3/3/18

Any elevation above 2000’ woke up to snow the morning of our hike to Table Mountain in Jamestown.  Though he had to dig out at home, Ranger Mike McGraw and two other Bureau of Reclamation rangers met us at the Shell Road trailhead.  As 15 hikers gathered in the cold sun, it was apparent we’d lucked into a lengthy break in the late winter storm.

With an inspirational quote from “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” author Robert Prisig, Ranger Mike, in his calm yet enthusiastic way, set the tone of deliberate inquiry and delightful discovery.  Our hike took us through four distinct ecosystems:  savannah, chaparral, oak woodland, and vernal pools.  On the way we learned of the introduction of invasive grass species and their impact on the native plants (sapping deep water reserves, encouraging erosion).  We touched on geology including the ancient sea that had its shores near Oakdale and the lava flow originating up near Sonora Pass that filled the Stanislaus River and ultimately created the nearly 60-mile-long “inverted river bed” that is Table Mountain.  We discussed the prehistoric climate of the area, the mega flora and fauna that once existed and plants and animals that live here now including the largest bat in North America, the western mastiff bat.

Scrambling up the steep side as we pushed toward the summit, we passed a seasonal cascade.  The broad table-top of the mountain was practically one continuous vernal pool filled to overflowing with fresh, cold water from the overnight storm.  Any invertebrates in the pools hadn’t brewed yet or they’d washed away!  What we missed on the micro-scale we made up for on the macro: clear, expansive views to snow-covered Duckwall Mountain, the peaks further off in Yosemite, and New Melones Lake.

The main Table Mountain trailhead is at the end of Shell Rd. in Jamestown (off of Rawhide Rd.).  The road dead ends at a closed (though not locked) gate.  The road is narrow; park as far off to the side as possible.  To the right of the gate across the road is a person-sized gate where the trail begins.  This section of trail is a pleasant stroll through savannah and roughly parallels the road.  (If you have a high-clearance vehicle, you can open the gate at the trailhead and drive to the next gate, shortening the hike by about a mile and missing the lovely oak grassland).  The trail takes you directly to a pit toilet; turn left, go through a gate, cross the road, go through another gate then continue uphill through the chaparral.  There’s signage, but it’s on the “discreet” side; you may have to use your “trail sense.”  Keep left on the way up the switchbacks.  You’ll have a short scramble over a rocky patch just before the final push to the top.  Then your reward:  The table top of Table Mountain, always with views and in the spring a bonus of wildflowers and vernal pools.

Table Mountain is a moderate, low-elevation hike that’s accessible year-round.  It’s only a 3-mile round trip and makes a nice “quickie” outing if you’re strapped for time.  You may extend your hike via trails that link Table Mountain with the Peoria area or by heading down to the lake via a spur off the main approach trail.  From the parking area to the mountain-top, there is private property all around.  Please respect the neighborhood and boundaries.  There are no services other than the pit toilet; bring water!

Here's a map of the Table Mountain trail:

https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/docs/maps/map-table-mountain.pdf

Here's a map of all the trails at New Melones Lake:

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

TCT #3 -- Table Mountain, Jamestown

TCT #3 -- An astounding crowd of 50-70 turned up for the Red Hills hike on Feb. 3, which was warm and sunny. After a brief orientation by Patrick Congdon, a volunteer ranger with the Bureau of Land Management, we set out. The large group coalesced into smaller parties each "hiking their own hike" and enjoying the fine day. We had one report of a fox sighting! Leslie Smith provides an update on the Dragoon Gulch Hike and Run coming up on 2/25. Finally, from Bureau of Reclamation Ranger Mike McGraw, we learn about vernal pools, mastiff bats, and the oak woodlands of Table Mountain, our March 3 hike location.