Tahoe National Forest
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Michigan Bluff to Eldorado Creek Tahoe National Forest |
April 20, 2024
I did this hike a couple of decades ago, but apparently before I began posting journals; all that I recall of the route is that there is a bridge across a big creek at the stopping point.
This will me my first-ever outing wearing knee braces (sleeves).
They had a great 79-year run, but now my poor knees are beginning to need some
serious assistance after three years of increasing soreness.
The trail starts in the middle of town, which also is the end of town
This community is surrounded by gold mines, past and present.
Read all about it here:
<Michigan Bluff Mining District>
This trail serves as a portion of the toughest and most prestegious 100-mile
race of them all, which runs from Palisades Valley near Lake Tahoe to the Auburn High
School. This year's competition runs on June 29th.
The trees aren't looking so good
I had forgotten about the Mosquito Fire of 2022, mostly because it had not affected
an area of interest. It managed to burn 77,000 acres, including a couple
of homes here in Michigan Bluff; and now I am plunging into the burned area.
I am greeted immediately, however, by quite a few flowers beside the trail.
Yellow Star Tulip
Blueblossom Ceanothus
Shortly farther ahead are a pair of incongruous signposts:
Warning against entry to an area of no possible interest
The orange sign announces the National Forest border
Briefly wondering whether I should even bother to continue this trek, I forge ahead anyway.
Unexpected ponds
A couple 'dances' gaily by me
Death Camas
Creeping Barberry
No shade in here
Pretty Shooting Star
Bush Poppy
Around the corner is a pleasant unnamed creek, which reminds me that not only have I inexplicably left my second water bottle on the kitchen counter, but I didn't bother to pack my water filter either. I hope that one bottle will be sufficient.
After negotiating a long hairpin turn through this little canyon, some actual scenery appears.
Across the big canyon is the road to Hell Hole Reservoir
The Middle Fork American River is down there as well, but I won't be seeing that one today.
Quartz is lying about everywhere; that's where the gold is found
Otay Lotus -aka- Big Deervetch
Celandine Poppy
Blue Dicks
Sticky Monkeyflower
It is lucky that I spot this piece of quartz, because right next to it is my
favorite photo of the day:
Dwarf Purple Monkeyflower
Approaching a deeper canyon
Around the next curve, the 'prancing' couple is resting. As I pass by, the woman says, "You caught us!"
Clustered Broomrape
It seems that Star Tulips turn red with age
Woolly Sunflower
Dry as a bone, just like many of the mines
Once again, this camera is having auto-focus issues, as evidenced here:
Acute Indian Paintbrush
I am loath to replace a beloved Olympus Stylus 1, because I have only two
refurbished spares remaining, and they need to last as long as I do; but of course
the most important consideration is picture quality, and numerous photo-ops
are being damaged today.
Scarlet Campion
Variableleaf Collomia
Although this route is relatively un-scenic and almost boring at times, it is trying its best to recover from the fire; and to that end, the amazing variety of flowers is the most I have encountered in a burned area.
Burned, but still alive
There is quite a bit of Mullein around today
I persistently wonder how much farther it is down to the creek; at every turn or switchback, it seems as if I am no closer than before. Although I can hear it, I cannot see any water below.
A gate of Mullein
Finally, after numerous switchmacks, some flattish ground appears; and presently I am on the vaguely remembered bridge.
Eldorado Creek is beautiful
Looking downstream
Dandelion
Periwinkle
I search briefly for an access-point to streamside, but all options are rocky and difficult; so I settle for a convenient log chair at the nearby campsite.
Time to munch some gorp and a clementine
As I sit here, a young man passes by, heading downstream with what must be one of those newfangled prospecting devices. I've never seen one up close.
Bleeding Heart
Spiny Sowthistle
My GPS shows that I have walked a full three miles and have descended more than 1,500 feet. Oh, my! As I take my first swig of water, I cannot help but question whether one bottle will last me in reasonable fashion. I never tend to drink enough on the trail anyway; but I might well be caught short today, having a steep, hot climb ahead.
Violet Draperia
Pacific Poison Oak
Back near where I found them earlier, the dancing couple still is reclining in a
shady area. The woman seems to be the one most in need of a rest, so I remark
to her that it's only another 650 feet down. When that news does not delight her,
I suggest an alternative — to go back!
Scarlet Pimpernel
Miner's Lettuce
At my next of many rest stops, here they come, apparently heeding my suggestion!
And they pass me by, traveling faster than I would choose at the moment. But ten
minutes later, I catch up with them again, proclaiming that perhaps I really am
"Getting too old for this shit". Roxanne introduces herself and her friend
Eric. I give Eric a calling card, so that they can find my website;
then I press on again.
Field Mustard
The only Lupine seen on today's trail
Before long, Roxanne and Eric predictably pass me again, talking about the "water" ahead. Presently I arrive at the creek crossed earlier, where Eric already is arranging to replenish his water supply. Unlike foolish me, he has a filter!
Eric collects and filters water for us all
Thank you Eric! I had just four or five ounces of water remaining, so
a fill-up is most welcome. Roxanne inquires of my age; when I admit
to being just short of 82, they both are flabbergasted. That familiar reaction
always is fun to observe, of course; but in truth I would much rather be able to admit
to being 25 again. Or even 70.
Eventually I start up the hill again, for the last mile and a half of steep, hot (75°), shadeless trekking.
They are gone, but not forgotten
Approaching the trailhead gate, I consume the last of my water; I needed it all.
Cladoniaceae fungi
California Poppy
Finishing up none too soon
§: Well, that one was an eye-opener. I survived a failure to
pack either enough water or a filter. My posting of thirty flower photos
belies the fact that my camera is defective and must be replaced. And my
knees didn't suffer on the hike, although getting up and down for photos still
was problematical.
I'm pleased to add this route to my online collection, but I really cannot recommend it to anyone. Unless your primary focus is the April-May flowers, you might be highly disappointed. Even the destination was hardly worth the bother.
I do hope that Roxanne and Eric will send me an email; perhaps they even would consider 'another' walk with me. Bassi Falls springs to mind, after the snow disappears.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality | |
| Flowers |  |
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September 2022: This entire trail burned; some of the trees survivied.
The trail is completely clear |
