Before we got to the lake we helped a highly adorned scarab beetle right himself and cross the trail. We also got to see Osprey diving in Round Lake to catch fish. That was a pretty cool sight.
Hiking Around
Posts related to different hikes I have taken primarily in California and around Folsom Lake region. Pictures and maps
Humbug Trail Waterfalls and Tunnels
The destination was the outlet of the great North Bloomfield Tunnel that dumped gold bearing sediment from Malakoff Diggins into Mercury laden sluice flumes. We had seen the sign at the head of Humbug Trail indicating the trail was closed because of a damaged bridge. A little bridge doesn’t stop hikers on a mission…usually. But this one did.
Trails to Rails: Rush Ranch and Western Railway Museum
The new age of electricity ushered in the mass transit possibility of street cars. Even today the sight of an electric trolley car rolling down the tracks in this sparsely populated portion of California looks out of place. But the scenery of wheat fields, cattle and sheep grazing has changed little since the first trolley line rolled through the Montezuma Hills.
Hiking on a lava cap at Table Mountain
At the Table Mountain Preserve you get to blaze your own path across the volcanic cap of a mesa and not get trouble. For us, the straightest line to Phantom Falls was hiking through the tall weeds and over volcanic flow where no path existed.
A forgettable hike: South Fork American River Trail
Inherently, all hikes are good. Some hikes, however, have more merit than others. The South Fork American River Trail is lacking in many of the characteristics of a good or great hike. While it is a nice trail, you need to choose carefully when you decide to hike it and where you start.
Hiker’s rash: red rash between knee and ankle after hiking for several hours
The rash was concentrated along below my knee so I figured it had something to due with laundry detergent or heat.
Auburn Quarry Crags Cave Valley Trail Hike
It feels like a miniaturized Yosemite when you first walk into Auburn Quarry Crags climbing park.
South Yuba River Covered Bridge and Trail Hike
The big attraction is the covered bridge built in 1862 after floods washed out the previous structure. The Point Defiance trail loop provides great views and takes you through a variety of ecological settings.
Mining Bars, Viaduct along American River Folsom Lake
South of Horseshoe bar you will come upon what is referred to as the NFD viaduct. This is an impressive structure built to conduct the water over a small ravine. Easily 15 feet tall and 40 feet in length, large granite blocks were carefully stacked to create what looks like a dam.
Grover Hot Springs Creek Hike Up Glacial Valley
We finally reached an impassable granite wall on Hot Springs Creek and were forced to trek over to the creek. As we climbed on top of the granite boulders, we could hear the water flowing underneath.
