The Sardine Lakes and The Sand Pond

Back into the mountains again, this time with considerably less traffic and incredible wind gusts. Our first stop was a return to the Sardine Lakes, where before we had been greeted by a confusion of cars and wandering families, we now saw only a few hikers. Though on the way out a intrepid older gentlemen greeted us with a "Roads rougher then I remember," as he trundled his way up the path in his truck. Apparently this is permitted, but I cannot recommend it, not only is it extremely narrow, but there are parts that are torn apart by the waters coming downhill, huge half buried rocks followed immediately by huge dips in the grounds. Also doing this kicks up dust for your fellow adventures and scares away any wildlife, take the walk, I say, it's good for you.

The hike can take you six miles up into the Buttes and is mostly uphill, though not steep. We're in relatively good shape so we were not tired by the time we reached Upper Sardine, but as we returned we encouraged a lagging couple whose wife was threatening to turn around, so I suppose if you aren't used to walking this would be a challenge. But we've hiked worse, and want to return to continue the climb up into the mountains, where, on Google Earth,  you can spy Young America Lake nestled in the mountainside.

Lower Sardine Lake, and a view of the Buttes.

September can be windy in California, and today was particularly fierce, with gusts at about twenty-five miles per hour, sometimes fiercer, pushing bodily at me and attempting to lift my tripod. We soldiered on, passing a few others making their way down the mountain.

The sound of tumbling water distracted us, and we found a clear, cool stream bubbling up from the mountainside below the path. The water practically glittered as the early afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, and I contorted myself into interesting shapes so that I could crouch my way into it's tiny path.

We reached Upper Sardine somewhere between half and hour and forty five minutes (with plenty of stops for picture) and found it empty, the winds scouring the basin it sat in. It was rocky and sparse, but the sight of the buttes disappearing into the lake was breathtaking. 

We stayed there for as long as it took for the next people to show up (which was awhile), taking pictures and testing to see just how cold the water was (very). 

Then back down the hillside we went, startling a flock of quail and looking forward to be amidst the sheltering forest once more.

Steller Jays are rarely shy, and are more interested in screaming at you angrily while you walk passed their trees. This one was busy foraging for pine nuts and gave us quiet the little show.

Onward we went, back down the hillside to return to the Sand Ponder Interpretive trail while we waited for Golden Hour to draw near. It was quiet now, no groups of screaming children or shouting fathers, and the light was becoming softer by the minute.

There's a .8 mile loop that you can walk, although we have yet to complete it. We had turned right and taken a path on the southern end of the pond before, which dead ended a few minutes walk down it. This time we turned left and it took us into the woodlands around the pond.

The ferns were all golden in the sunlight, and a small stream wound by to feed into the pond. Some wildflowers still blossomed, and while we didn't see any chipmunks on this particular trail, the forest was alive with the sound of them, scalding each other and hiding their caches for winter.

We continued this way for a little while before deciding the light was getting low enough for us to head over to the Aspen meadow, as we referred to it. I don't believe the area has any official name, and there's no trails out to it, just an old dirt road which you bump along until you can see the trees to you right. That is another set of photos that would make this post very long, so I'll wrap it up and my  next post will be about our windy adventures there. See you then!

Saying Goodbye to Summer

It's been awhile, between work on my novel, keeping up with my photography, and repeatedly subjecting myself to the restaurant industry, any free time I had was swept up trying to maintain personal relations. Spring and summer flew by in a blur, and with the first rains of the season last night, serious hiking weather is almost upon us. We've made many trips since my last post, and I'd like to share the highlights from those.

We started at Sand Pond Interpretive trail, off the Gold Lakes Highway, a quick little loop that we did not explore much due to the masses of children on one side. As we were there in July, many campers and tourists were there as well, but that didn't stop us from spotting this squirrel having at his pine cone, or some of the boldest frogs I've ever met.

From there, we continued our quest for a quiet adventure, stopping at Snag Lake to take in the sights and see how cold the water was.

The water was cold, too cold for me to be sure, although not everybody.

Finding little to keep us occupied here, we clambered back into the car and headed towards Big Bear and Little Bear lakes, for they have never disappointed us.

Clouds rolled in while we hiked the mile or so out towards towards Big Bear, where we were pleased to find only a few families, and only one child, whose splashes and yells echoed in a lonely way across the lake. A few drops of rain fell as we settled down to take in the view, relaxing upon boulders on the far side of the lake, watching fish snatch at hovering insects.

The hike out was easy and uneventful, possibly because of other hikers who didn't see a need to remain quiet in the woods. The Man and I agreed that it would best if we avoided the mountains during summer vacation. Despite the crowds, the time of year is beautiful, marked by summer showers and an abundance of wild flowers where lower elevations have lost theirs. 

We were also lucky enough to spot a rather grumpy looking Pacific Fisher, turning away from the freeway to trudge back into the woods, and although I didn't have time to grab my camera, I felt very blessed to see one. They are endangered, and it's been a struggle gaining protection for them. And of course, it wouldn't be a ride up into the mountains without at least one chipmunk sighting.

Well there you have it, a new post. There will probably be a flurry of activity before things settle down again, I'd like to make a post every Thursday, and hopefully time will allow. I'd like to begin work on a series inspired by the novel I'm working on, a fantasy adventure inspired by the Californian terrain. I'm also working with Sammie's Friends, a local non profit that provided animal rescue and services to our community. There may be some shelter cat posts, celebrating their new cat house and program. 

Hope you enjoyed! See you soon!