Return to the Alps...

...the Trinity Alps, that is! We spent a fantastic 3 days in the Trinity Alps on a backpacking trip from Hobo Gulch. We decided to stay lower in the mountains, as the high peaks are still covered in heaps of snow. Highlights included coming across a rattlesnake at Rattlesnake Creek (campsite number 1), gazing at alpenglow on the snowy peaks near campsite number two (Backbone Creek), watching lots of black tailed deer and finding a pacific giant salamander in a creek. The biggest highlight though, was simply spending time in a wild place, letting the magic of the wilderness surround us.

Summer arrives in Northern California!

Summer has arrived in Northern California. The rains have finally ended and the interior is heating up drastically. We did a dayhike recently along the South Fork of the Trinity River and temps skyrocketed up to 85! We took a wonderful swim in the icy cold river half way through. The spring rains have meant a fantastic spring and early summer wildflower season.

This past weekend, we backpacked through old growth redwood trees in Redwood National Park and up into the Little Bald Hills. This area was full of Jeffrey Pine and meadows with views east to the bigger mountains inland and west to the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

This weekend, our goal is to get into the higher mountains of the Trinity Alps. Snow levels are still amazingly low and rivers are running very fast up there, so it will be an adventure!

Late Spring Wildflowers

Spring has been an amazing wildflower season around here. It began months ago, but over the last month, it seems to have intensified. These first couple of photos are from a dayhike in the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park. The lupine made for a great foreground to the lush green meadows behind it. In the far back of the meadow (not visible in the photo), was a herd of elk.

We also have spent time recently along the Lost Coast in King Range NCA (BLM administered land). We camped overnight at the Mattole River a few weeks back. Over Memorial Day weekend, I backpacked the Lost Coast for work...a tough couple of days on the job! On both trips, the wildflowers were fantastic. The late spring rains are still falling, but the dry summer is sure to follow.