Thursday, October First, a beautiful and misty day that begged to be hiked in- it also happened to be the day I finally scheduled the removal of our long hated, second hand futon. So we got up early and went up highway forty-nine yet again, hoping to chase the weather into the mountains and be back in time for the movers to arrive. We were spoiled for views from North San Juan onward, unable to chose where the most beautiful display was.
We had to be back home by early afternoon, and lacked the time to devote to a trail, so we stopped often on the side of the road, especially at any campsites we found that bordered the river. Everything was beautiful and saturated, the mist rising from the canyon and hills which were alive with a display of fall color, while the river banks were still green and blooming.
A multitude of bold amphibians, I believe they were Sierran or Northern Pacific Tree Frogs, sat on the banks, plopping noisily into the water as we approached to sit huddled among the moss and sand.
We made our destination Downieville, but were in no great hurry to get there, pulling over at whatever turn-off or shoulder looked inviting.
The waters of the Yuba were cold and spectacularly clear, running deep and green to disappear into the mist shrouded hills.
Blackberries this time of year are spectacular, showing off a rich display of scarlet, gold and brightest green. In the lower foothills you can still find fruit on them, though much of it dries early due to the drought, but up in the mountains the berries are picked clean by bears. Speaking of which...
We were several miles outside Downieville when The Man saw a little brown something or other to the right of the road. We are always on the lookout for animals, and were already going relatively slow, simply to take in the views. He came to an easy stop, no one on the road around us, and a juvenile brown bear (I think, young black bears can also be brown), ran out into the road before us. It took me half a second to realize what had even happened, then I excitedly started taking pictures, managing to grab a few quick shots. It came to a stop on the ridge to the left of the road so I quickly changed lenses while The Man urgently told me to role my window up, reminding me that an over protective mom would have no problem charging our car.
But no mama bear appeared, although I don't doubt it was somewhere nearby, and I used my longer range lens to try and capture the bear in the dark woods at the top of ridge. I brightened it up as best I was able, and am generally exalted that we saw a bear at all. This is the second time I've seen one, and count myself very lucky for it, and for the peacefulness of each encounter.
Jubilant, we continued onward, emergency flashers on to warn oncoming traffic of possible wildlife in the road. Downieville was busy, full of motorcyclists and delivery trucks, we stopped and used the facilities before heading down Durgan Flat Way to what I believe is the end of the North Yuba River Trail, a famous track for mountain bikers that switchbacks it's way from the river up the mountain side and into the wilderness. We've hiked up a few miles before, but did not have time for that now, instead entertaining ourselves by the river for an hour or so before returning home to say goodbye to our futon.
We've had a couple good rains already and if work would stop running me into the ground I'd have the energy to mushroom hunt. This Thursday we are headed up Forty Nine yet again, being far from seeing all it has to offer. We will be trekking the Chapman Creek Trail, and possibly going to Empire Mine soon. Hope your Autumn is treating you well, see you next time.
