Avenue Of The Giants

We took the long way home when we left Truckee California, heading northwest toward Redding instead of east toward Minnesota. The route took us through mountains, valleys and attractive little towns like Sierraville and Red Bluff. It is hot in the valleys and cool in the mountains. We stumbled across the beautiful Feather River outside Quincy, California and stopped to enjoy the view.

We wandered up and down mountains until we reached Lassen Volcanic National Park where we picked up our lifetime National Parks Senior pass for $80. Most of the park was closed for the season but we drove as far as we could and got out to take in the beauty surrounding us in every direction. Dave took a video from a bridge that sits about 75 feet above Mill Creek. There wasn't a rail between us and the ground below. It was unnerving but a gorgeous view.

Eight foot vertical posts mark the path for the snowplow

We left Rte. 89 at Highway 36 toward Redding where we stayed for the night. We were surprised to see black volcanic rocks littering the valleys all along the open fields for many miles. It is amazing to think that these rocks were tossed during the last eruption from 1914-1917.

On day two we rose at the crack of dawn, hoping to make it to the Avenue of the Giants in the Humboldt Redwoods by days end. We drove through Greyeagle where the lupines are two feet tall and grow in the shadows of the burned out forest. The trees were destroyed yet new growth is springing up beneath the charred remains. It is eerie and beautiful at the same time.

Our course took us through Hayfork, a small mountain town where our friend Sonya grew up. As we made our way up the mountain we passed marijuana farms with greenhouses sprawling out on the meadows. The air holds the strong smell of cannabis terpenes. The road has a speed limit of 55 which seems impossible to maintain yet cars and work trucks continue to plow past us on the pull outs that allow slow drivers to get the heck out of the way of the locals who know these roads. The drive down the other side was no easier although it is a beautiful area with a lot to catch our eye. We are delayed more than once by land or rock slides. 

Once we made it down off of the mountain, we headed south to the Avenue of the Giants to walk among the Redwoods. We stopped at the Humboldt Drury Chaney Grove which is said to be the most popular and scenic trail. We hiked the 2.9 mile path in total awe of the magical forest. The trees tower over layers of age old redwood log debris. There is a thick carpet of oxalis or redwood sorrel, thriving in the shaded environment. Along with ferns, oxalis is the only plant that will grow in the cool moist conditions under the redwood trees. These beautiful giants are protected. Some grow right up to the blacktop of the road. Reflectors sit in front of them to warn drivers from striking them and to protect the trees from damage. This experience was a highlight of our entire trip. We wish we had more time here. 

Lake Tahoe Highlights

We spent several weeks in the Lake Tahoe Area this spring. The majority of our time was filled by helping friends at their A-frame in Truckee, CA. We managed to slip a few adventures in while we were there.

Truckee A-Frame

We stayed in Carnelian Bay, a small community of mostly homes and neighborhoods. Our evening walks through the lakeside villages, Incline Village, Kings Beach and Tahoe City were a treat. Incline is an upscale community of relocated Silicon Valley folks. Kings Beach is mainly inhabited by people working in the tourist industry. Tahoe City is a local outdoor enthusiast community. It was our favorite spot to hang out. It seemed to be unmarred by the massive influx of outsiders moving to Lake Tahoe and changing the cool vibe. The Bridgetender Tavern was a great spot to rub elbows with the locals. We spent several evenings at the bar, enjoying a beer and listening to the chatter.

Kings Beach View

Kings Beach Gate

Our Spot at the bar

The Bridgetender

Bridgetender Beer with the locals

Tahoe City Lakewalk Sculpture

Bear on Tahoe City Lakewalk

Tahoe City Lakewalk View

Tahoe is an outdoor lovers paradise. Crystal clear Lake Tahoe is surrounded by mountains and covered by the bluest sky. The contrast of green pine and deep azul is mesmerizing. We hiked to several hot spots, including the North Lake Ridge Trail, Emerald Bay, Eagle Rock, Monkey Rock, and along the gorgeous Truckee River. Every direction we looked, the views were gorgeous!

Lake Tahoe North Lake Ridge Trail Views

Emerald Bay

Eagle Rock Trail Views

Monkey Rock

The Truckee River

Huge pine cones along the Truckee

Our favorite hike was on Mt. Rose. We parked in the meadow at the summit and stomped across deep snow to the Chickadee Ridge trail where the birds come feed out of your hand. It was such a beautiful experience that we went back for a second time. If we lived there, we'd visit this amazing place often!

Feeding the Chickadees on Mt. Rose

We passed the Martis Creek Wildlife Area each day on our way to Truckee. It lines both sides of Rte 267, (Brockway Summit Road). It is heavily used and intrigued us so much that we stopped one evening on our way home. We found the Tompkins Memorial Trail and followed it for 4.3 miles. The meadow is full of sagebrush that hinted it would soon be coming to full bloom. Wildflowers are starting to dot the sides of the trails which take us through meadows, forests and over beautiful creeks. Boardwalks lead us through wetland boggy areas.  It was a great hike that we'd have loved to do again.

Northstar Ski Mountain View at Martis

Tompkins Memorial Trail Map

The trail bridges were all named

Dave took me up Donner Pass to show me the scenic overlook. It is a favorite spot for locals to watch the sun set. The switchbacks and narrow roads were a bit harrowing but the view was worth it. Donner pass is the location of the tragic Donner Expedition disaster. You can read more about it here:

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party

Donner Lake sits in the valley beneath Donner Summit. It has a series of 38 public docks that dot the north shore. When we drove by, every dock was occupied by a small group, some dangling their feet over the water, others enjoying a cocktail or a smoke. It is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy life.

Lake Tahoe is a gorgeous mountain community that is growing and changing quickly. We enjoyed the delicious smell of pine that greeted us each day. The amazing blue sky and frequent snowfall made our world tricolored, green, blue and white. The mountains are beautiful, with eight ski areas to explore. The Truckee River runs fast with deep pools and raging whitewater from Lake Tahoe to Reno. Lake Tahoe has the most beautiful clear blue water begging to be enjoyed. We were there during the "shoulder" season, (not ski season but not summer season.) It was the perfect quiet time to explore and experience the area.

Earthquake

April 25, 2021

Sunday morning coffee was interrupted by a loud noise that led to a rumbling ripple that flowed through the house! Every bit of metal piping rattled in protest as the house swayed just a bit on it's foundation. I looked at our friend John Huninghake and said, "What the hell was THAT?"

With wide eyes and a soft slow, one word response, he said "Earthquake".

I thought, for sure, that we'd been hit by a truck. But as John's response sunk in, I realized he must be right; I was experiencing my first earthquake. Immediately, both Dave and John began searching the internet to see if there was any information available. Within minutes, we found posts that reported a 3.8 mag quake within walking distance of where we are staying in Carnelian Bay, Lake Tahoe.

We called this place "Home" 

I did a bit of research and learned that their are three faults under Lake Tahoe including the prominent North to South trending fault zone at Dollar Point, West Tahoe, just down the road. It runs deep under the Lake, submerged from Emerald Bay to McKinney Bay, then it continues to Dollar Point.

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

Geologists believe that the three faults beneath the lake are capable of creating a 71 magnitude quake which could lead to a lake tsunami over 30 feet. Luckily, the risk of this happening over the next 50 years is only 3%. Experts recommend, however, if you feel a severe tremor lasting more than 10 seconds, you should sprint upwards at least 30 feet.

Once was enough for me. Although it was relatively mild, I can now say I experienced an Earthquake. Only 10 days later, on May 6th, another quake occurred 12 miles NW of Truckee, CA. It was a 4.7 mag! Ok, enough already!