NorCal Adventure Thread 2024

[Voltan73]

While I have yet to hit anywhere this year, thought I'd get a new thread started for 2024. We'll see if I can make some time this Friday...

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

[MENTION=271848]Voltan73[/MENTION] Foresthill Rd was closed at China Wall today. Current conditions on the Forest Service website: Open and plowed to Sailor Flat. LOL. That's okay, had a great time anyway. Hiked up the road several miles and let the Black Lab clown dog play in the snow and had the place to ourselves. Also went swimming at Sugar Pine on the way home.

 

[Voltan73]

[MENTION=415906]Sparky 97Runner[/MENTION] looks like a great day!

 

[Voltan73]

After a bit of a winter nap, finally took out the old gal last Friday. Went to Sugar Pine, and had the whole place to myself. Weather was perfect.

<a href="https://imgur.com/GAo8Q1w"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/GAo8Q1wh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/phZ31ul"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/phZ31ulh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/LOZaAP2"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/LOZaAP2h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/TDXGa5N"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/TDXGa5Nh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Voltan73]

Had a nice little drive off of Highway 20 near Washington Road. Easy, like a "walk in the park."

I'm looking forward to the snow higher up melting soon, as there's quite a few places I want to go that are currently impassible.

<a href="https://imgur.com/EM1l3U1"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/EM1l3U1h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

Overlooking Ford Point. East of Foresthill.

 

[Voltan73]

Made the trek to Independence Lake in Sierra County yesterday. Great weather, stunning scenery.

<a href="https://imgur.com/z2jSsgH"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/z2jSsgHh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/HOS3C5Z"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/HOS3C5Zh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/BS660iB"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/BS660iBh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/kcAMDZh"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/kcAMDZhh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/Dzl94hj"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/Dzl94hjh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/xNebbR9"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/xNebbR9h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Voltan73]

On the way out from Independence Lake, I hit the old Heness Pass Rd into Perazzo Meadows, one of my favorite spots in Sierra County. The scenery was amazing as always.

<a href="https://imgur.com/OdwHlnc"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/OdwHlnch.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/i7jhk0x"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/i7jhk0xh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/umtOjTP"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/umtOjTPh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/kgBRIXy"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/kgBRIXyh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Voltan73]

Here's a bit of the drive into Independence Lake.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OoKsdr8KwTg?si=paM6XK6y3VU-_j4i" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Here's some footage of Independence Lake & Perazzo Meadows.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f05MpK03N1Y?si=addMKXrdX2iy3aqQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Voltan73]

Took the week off work; had some vacation hours I needed to use up. So, yeah, so awful, today I got paid to wheel up to Blue Lake and hike to the top of Zion Hill, at 6201' elevation. Panoramic views of Spaulding, Fuller, Rucker, and Blue Lakes. Breathtaking scenery.
Tomorrow, going up to Monumental Ridge, behind Lake Valley Reservoir in the Yuba Gap.


<a href="https://imgur.com/pbng9ho"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/pbng9hoh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/oX71jvX"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/oX71jvXh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/VSTafnt"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/VSTafnth.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/OOajhez"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/OOajhezh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/b5ZFqHC"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/b5ZFqHCh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Voltan73]

Spent Tuesday morning in the Yuba Gap. First, a cruise up to the top of Monumental Ridge, behind Lake Valley Reservoir, at 6800' elevation.

<a href="https://imgur.com/LrfK8Am"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/LrfK8Amh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/sFw1jwN"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/sFw1jwNh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/RRezuoF"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RRezuoFh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


One the way back down, after a stop at Lake Valley Reservoir, pulled over and took a hike down to a lush meadow.


<a href="https://imgur.com/vu2Qkp2"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vu2Qkp2h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/T0ntHm4"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/T0ntHm4h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


Finally, jumped onto I-80 to Eagle Lakes Road to take in one last bit of scenery before the drive home. This just never gets old!


<a href="https://imgur.com/RlAsZM1"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RlAsZM1h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Voltan73]

Friday, July 19th--
I made the trek up to the Grouse Ridge fire lookout, at 7653" elevation. My first visit to this place was just shy of two years ago. Still one of the best spots I've ever been to. On the way out, I wheeled in to Blue Lake, and made the hike up to Zion Hill again, at 6201" elevation.
I did all this, and still made it home in time to try the new lunch buffet at India Oven. This is what you call a good day.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QpAVJ1xXvUI?si=6xMOtxEjE2e19INv" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Voltan73]

Some still shots from Friday's run to Grouse Ridge...


<a href="https://imgur.com/ZKN12O3"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZKN12O3h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/UmEC1x8"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/UmEC1x8h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/85dZBpn"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/85dZBpnh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/ffnxdKw"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/ffnxdKwh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Voltan73]

Friday, July 26th
Made a quick run up the hill to Lover's Leap, on Moody Ridge in Alta. After that, up to Emigrant Gap, then five miles down Texas Hill Rd to the North Fork of the American River.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y42lOwpj_8U?si=3poR2D8xhk3mgdMI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

Palisades Creek 7/2024

 

[Voltan73]

Palisades Creek 7/2024

Is this near Soda Springs?

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

Is this near Soda Springs?

Yes. Right off Soda Springs Rd. The ridge overlooking the North Fork American River was closed because of the fire. But still a great day trip.

 

[Voltan73]

Friday, August 16th

I spent half the day up off of Jackson Meadows Rd, from Hwy 89 North out of Truckee.

First stop, sunrise at Perazzo Meadows...

<a href="https://imgur.com/WMOYf63"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/WMOYf63h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


Next, a stop to see the morning mist rising up off of Webber Lake, on the way to Meadow Lake...

<a href="https://imgur.com/NKB775n"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/NKB775nh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


Next, a spectacular view of Fordyce Lake from Meadow Lake Rd...

<a href="https://imgur.com/IugGh72"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/IugGh72h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


Now, at Meadow Lake...

<a href="https://imgur.com/kC68nvS"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/kC68nvSh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/kn4vCRw"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/kn4vCRwh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Voltan73]

Friday, August 16th, Continued

Next stop, back to Webber Lake...

<a href="https://imgur.com/wA5pLA9"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/wA5pLA9h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/t6OWEK1"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/t6OWEK1h.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>


After Webber Lake, up to Morgan point to view Sierra Valley...

<a href="https://imgur.com/5PAqh0p"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/5PAqh0ph.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

<a href="https://imgur.com/5Yjs1nS"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/5Yjs1nSh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Last stop, Lake of the Woods.

<a href="https://imgur.com/VJYeXPI"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/VJYeXPIh.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

 

[Sparky 97Runner]

Duncan Peak on 8/24/2024. Loved the cooler weather.