Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe

We woke up to one of the team down with ‘injury’…Cooper seems to be a bit hobbled today.  He is gimping along on what we suspect are sore feet from the hike yesterday.  He doesn’t like hard surfaces especially the rocky areas and wants to walk only in the softest, dirtiest areas he can find.  Rather than another hike we’ve decided to take a drive…to Lake Tahoe.  It’s been driving us a bit crazy trying to figure out if we’d driven through this area back in winter 2009.   

Sore tootsies

Cooper "People watching"

Cooper was pretty laid back all day.  He spent his time napping and looking cool.   We stopped at a park for lunch and he was happy to lay in the back seat and wait for his yogurt cups to be delivered to him.  While driving around Lake Tahoe he sat in the back seat and was totally unimpressed with all the people...especially those in improper foot wear for hiking.

Hiking in heels?

Yum!

He had is very own waste disposal can on the trail beside our picnicking spot....only seen in the California State Parks.  An added plus you'll notice that the darn thing is bear proof.  Why would a bear want dog waste? 

Bear proof...really

Zephyr Cove

We drove along and wondered why so many people were heading to the various beach parks...all lots were full.  The water at Lake Tahoe is mid 60’s…with temperatures in the low 80’s it seemed too chilly to be swimming.  We did see quite a few boats zipping about the lake, but few water skiers.  Still trying to figure out why would one use paddle boards?  Kayak or canoes would seem to be more fun and useful way to spend time on the water…must be missing something.

Zephyr Cove...blocked

Castle on island in Zephyr Cove

The water is a deep blue very much like Crater Lake…lots of sky reflecting in the clear lake that’s for sure.  The most surprising thing was that the overlooks had a tremendous number of people, but trees blocked most of the views.  One story we read at an overlook was about a hermit who was the caretaker of one of the mansions.  He would row each evening down the lake to the saloon, drink and row back.  One night during a storm he was tossed overboard.  Somehow he made it back to shore and his caretaker’s cottage.  He thought it would be a good opportunity to build himself a small castle-like mausoleum on a small island in the lake.  Unfortunately, on one of his excursions to the saloon he was once again tossed overboard and his body was never recovered…his finished castle on top of the island is unoccupied.  Poor guy.

Views from Nevada

More Nevada side views

We made it all the way around the Lake…jeez, the traffic rivaled big cities.  There were lots of cars and people trying to find a place to park and get to the beach.  Thankfully all we needed was gas and a few groceries...then we got the hell out of there and back to the serenity of the mountains.

It's past my nap time

Oh and a trip to McD’s cheered up Cooper…he had a burger and then napped all the way back to the campground.

Thunder Mountain

Bright and somewhat early we headed down the road a few miles to the trail head for Thunder Mountain…3.5 mile uphill through open meadow and lava rocks to the top of Thunder Mountain.  Cooper did his part by carrying a gallon of water once again.  He headed out with his usual vigor dragging us up the hillside and wondering why we stop so often.  

If not the lead dog the view doesn't change

View of Capel Lake from the trail

Catching our breath

The elevation and our hiking have gotten somewhat better.  We still need to stop and catch our breath when the trail steepens, but we have improved.  Now if the scenery would not be quite as gorgeous our times may improve…we stop A LOT to take photos.  Hopefully we'll have some incredible shots that can be put on the walls...that is if we can settle on which ones.  It's about as hard to pick out wall photos as it is to pick out the blog photos.

Final push to the top

The Sentinels

Heirs beware

Thunder Mountain was not near as difficult a climb as Oregon’s Mt Thielsen although there were some spots that Cindi was less than thrilled.   Once we made the top the views were spectacular…360 degrees of mountains and as luck would have it a ski slope just below.  Kirkwood.  We actually passed the boundary area for the slopes…we did wonder if we’d have to pay if we got hurt in the summer.  Thankfully we didn’t have to worry about leaving any bills for the heirs to worry about.  

Lava rock climbing dog

The Top

As we headed back down the lava slopes we met up with a threesome of women…average age 70 we’d guess.  They were out for their weekly Hiking Club hike and joined us for the descent back down.   We chatted about the area, the dog and what else we needed to see before leaving.  They suggested Winnemucca, Woods and Round Top Lakes…all in the same area and could be done as a loop hike.  The trip back down was set at a pretty quick pace…Cindi and Cooper were not letting any grass (if grass would grow here) under their feet.  

Taking the load off

Although at one water break Cooper decided that he’d take the opportunity to ‘take the load off’ and laid down in some shade.  Cindi took over his pack carrying duties once we resumed the hike back to the cars.  It would appear that Cooper has the ability to look pitiful at the most opportune time.   He starts to look gimpy until the chipmunks and ground squirrels make an appearance.  Coop also goes absolutely loopy when he smells sage...must be the 'catnip for dogs'.

Bill on the lava

Once in the car we debated what to do about lunch…we decided ice cream would be an excellent choice.  Kirkwood Ski Area had the last remnants of Huckleberry in the General Store.  Perfect ending to our day.

Views from the top

Silver Lake

Huge tree hanging on the cliff

After poring over weather reports for all points east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains the decision was made to retreat back from “whence we came”.  There was too much heat and too much precipitation in the forecasts for Wyoming, Montana, Utah or Colorado.  Why leave perfect 75 degree highs and mid 50’s for lows…not to mention the bright blue sunshine. So yeah, we headed back up into the Sierra’s outside of Carson City, NV retreating back West.
 

It didn’t take long to get into the mountains…roughly 50 miles and we were crossing Carson Pass on Route 88.  A few years back on our last great adventure we drove over this pass in the snow…today it looks so different.  We’ve had an ongoing debate over the last several days if in fact we had driven over Kit Carson in 2009.  Nothing looks familiar…including the sled dog meadow we remembered.  We figured that in order to settle the debate we’ll need to retrace our drive out of Lake Tahoe.  

Campsite

We landed at Silver Lake Campground a few miles down from the Pass.  Not quite as spectacular as Diamond Lake…no 3G to speak of although it does pop up on occasion and NO showers.  At least with such dry NON-HUMID air we have been pretty comfortable using our baby wipe bath approach to cleanliness.  Cooper has not faired quite as well...he's one dirty dog.

Tired dog

Saddle Up or Shut Up

There are lots of hikes in the area to keep us busy for days.  Now the question will be if our legs are up to it.

Oh and our beloved Moose Drool came up with an even better motto...Saddle Up or Shut Up

Sonoro Pass...Route 108

Columns of the Giants

water fall

What can you say about a road that wasn't all that long distance wise, but the time it took to drive was a bit over 9 hours.  Mainly due to the views...incredible.  A awful lot of 'distractions'...lava columns, rocks to climb, waterfalls, wide open vistas, the most fantastic trees growing straight out of granite rock.

We'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

More lava

Dardanelles

View from rock hillside

Dardanelle Reservoir

Need more rocks

How? Growing in solid granite

BIG tree

Rock climbing

Sonoma Pass area

Yosemite in Three Days

First view of Yosemite Valley

We stopped by the Ranger Station Thursday in Stanislaus National Forest to see what info we could get about the National Forest campgrounds close to Yosemite.  It seemed the way to go since most of Yosemite's campgrounds are reserved...a few are listed as walk up, but we chickened out.  Did not want to get to the Park and have no place to camp.  It turned out to be an excellent decision.  Sweetwater was a very small 14 site campground set among some large trees.  As the Ranger suggested it was the best- nice and quiet...with some insect noise which we missed while in Oregon.

Cooper's view of Half Dome

Coop's new friend

Heading out to Yosemite we were amazed by the number of cars, RV's and trailers heading to the Park.  We now know why it's the 'most visited'...also the most crowed Park we've ever visited.  One thing we noticed was the hurried pace quite a few visitors seem to be in which led to less interaction between everyone.  Everywhere else has been pretty friendly...especially with Cooper in tow.  Most people have acknowledged the dog...not in Yosemite.  We figured it was due to the large crowds...you can't say hello to everyone.

Our first day in the park we decided to wander down into Yosemite Valley...exactly were the crowds happened to be.  The roads were pretty packed, but the picnic area at El Capitan was surprisingly empty.  We picnicked across from its massive face.  Cooper only cared about his yogurt cups and was less impressed by the views. 

Bridalveil Fall

After lunch we checked out Bridalveil Fall.  It was one of the most mesmerizing falls we've seen.  The wind seemed to hold the water back and then release it.  It fell down the cliff, blew sideways, back up the cliff and all around the cliff face.  It was awesome.  We went back early the next morning, but the effect wasn't the same...little to no wind.

We drove a bit to see what the Valley Campgrounds looked like...wow.  Glad we chose Sweetwater.  The sites were very tightly packed...first thought was 'sardines'.  Not a pleasant thought of spending a night so close to other campers.  It was not possible to have quiet with that many people crammed into one area.  Not to mention the setting...yeah you're in Yosemite Valley, but how could you enjoy the ambiance since these areas seemed to lack the natural element of camping.

After dinner we  headed back to Groveland, the closest town, for gas and a few supplies...namely yogurt I seem to have become a addict.  As luck would have it right next door to the Iron Door Saloon (claims to be the oldest saloon in CA) was a small ice cream store that actually had huckleberry ice cream, yum!

View of Half Dome from Glacier Point

Valley floor from Glacier Pt.

On Friday we headed off to drive the road to Glacier Point in the Park.  Another spectacular road with stunning views of the valleys, waterfalls and mountains.  Yosemite's landscape with granite mountains and deep valleys was really unique and we can see why it is the busiest national park.  Still, you had to mentally block out the crowds to really enjoy the vistas.

After dinner, more huckleberry ice cream. Yum, again.

Can you see the people?  Line going up left-hand side*

On Saturday we thought we would try to avoid the crowd by taking Route 120 through the park over to the east side.  If that was uncrowded, I can only imagine what the main park looked like. Yikes.  Still it was another great drive and the views were a bit closer than those in the main Park.  Of particular note, at one of the overlooks you could see hikers on Half Dome trail.  You have to ascend the granite rock using cables and from the view point we could see why, wow.   All of that after 7 miles of hiking out to it...then turn and hike 7 miles back to the Valley.  It's an impressive hike- 14 mile round trip, a increase of 5000 feet, and at least 12 hour hike.  Since 2008 the foot traffic (1200 hikers) had increased so dramatically for the Half Dome hike the Park Service instituted a lottery system until they come up with a 'better solution'.  Now you have to apply to hike the Dome 3 days prior...350 are chosen daily.   Still seems like a huge number to be traversing such a face.  No way could we undertake that hike.   After our Mt. Thielsen adventure we know our limits.

Climbers

On several miles of road were granite cliffs that the rock climbers had taken over.  Wow, again.  Watching these climbers made Cindi dizzy...me too.  After dinner, more huckleberry ice cream except this time they were out.  Darn, had to settle for coffee and strawberry.

Sunday it was off to Carson City and a much needed shower.  We choose to take Route 108 across the mountains...a great choice.  It took us 9 hours to make the 180 mile trek.  Went up to 9,000 feet at the Sonora Pass.  First time I've ever seen a '26% Grade' sign.  Thankfully 2nd and 1st gears worked flawlessly on the CRV.  More curves and spectacular views of mountains, waterfalls and snow fields.  Perfect blue-sky day to boot.  Cooper was super thrilled to see Nevada and leave California behind...can't you tell?

Super thrilled

Extra note: it is possible to wash an 80 lb lab in a 2.5' square shower; not easy, but possible.  We all smell better.


*click pictures to enlarge...really you've got to click Half Dome to see the line of crazy people