Surrounded by Rivers and Mud

 

 

After a summer with only a few days of rain, it was a welcome change this past week to see rain clouds and to actually have light rain showers. The rain dances were working!

Today was different. After another light shower, it became heavier like the ones we are used to in the south. No big deal, we thought. We were wrong. This was the start of a flash flood that we have been warned about.The rain changed to hail.

 

 Rivers began flowing on either side of the house.

 

 Fortunately, this one didn't wash our Jeep down the driveway.

It looked like Winter had arrived early in the backyard.

 When the rains stopped, we ventured out with our marsh wading boots and found the road to our house covered in mud, new waterfalls and puddles knee deep. Blue skies have returned and we are left with some shoveling to do. Call off the Rain Dances.

Beetles, Oaks and Acorn Woodpeckers

Earlier in the summer, Idyllwild hosted its annual 5k/10k run. The money raised went to the local elementary school. This year the committee wanted to raise awareness of the new challenge facing the oak trees.

This past year, a few oak trees died as a result of the non native Goldspotted Oak Borer beetle. Research is being done for the treatment of trees when they are infested. For now, the best option is prevention.

Although this beetle has devastated thousands of oak trees in San Diego county, this was the first year that it was discovered in Idyllwild. It was probably transported by way of infested oak firewood . Therefore, new signs warning against the transport of oak firewood are seen throughout the town.

Many birds and mammals would be impacted if the oak trees continue to die from this beetle.For one, the Acorn Woodpecker would be greatly impacted.

 These gregarious, social birds will store up to thousands of acorns in a single tree during the fall. Then, they will collectively defend their "granary" tree against potential thieves.I've noticed that their "granary" tree is usually a pine tree that is located next to an oak tree. Quite convenient!

 

 This photo was taken in early spring as the new leaves were beginning to open. When fall arrives, the mountains will be painted with the color of the Black oak trees. It will be a welcome sight.

A Hike to Tahquitz Peak after the Wildfire

 

Since the middle of July, when the Mountain fire began, we have had regular visits overhead by fire spotter helicopters and when necessary, helicopters carrying buckets of water to put out new flames.

The 27,000 acre Mountain fire which threatened Idyllwild and entered the southern portion of the San Jacinto Wilderness was 100 percent contained on July 30th. A week later on August 7th, the Silver fire outside of Cabazon began its 20,000 acre destructive path on the north side of the San Jacinto Wilderness. The footprint of the Esperanza fire of October 2006 which resulted in the death of 5 firefighters (see July 3rd entry) was also in the path of the latter fire.  

The latest fire was contained on August 12th the same day a 3 acre flare up occurred up in the Wilderness. 

Containment means the fire is no longer spreading but flare ups can occur. Because of the potential for fire and other unexpected hazards such as falling trees and boulders along with unidentifiable paths, many of the trails in the wilderness are still closed.

Fortunately, one of my favorite trails recently opened since it is free of the potential dangers of other paths. South Ridge Trail is a 4 mile hike up to Tahquitz Peak where the Fire Lookout Tower stands at about 9,000 feet.  It is a moderate to strenuous hike for the last mile has merciless switchbacks.

I was quite apprehensive to what I would see along this trail post Mountain fire. In the distance, views of devastation along a few of the mountains can be seen but this trail is still filled with life and beauty.

This beautiful Acorn Woodpecker was perched at the peak near the tower.

Window rock still has beautiful views beyond the path to the other side.

 Faithful dog still stood watch...

As for the tower, it stands just as it did 100 years ago. For all of us who have come to love this tower, we are all grateful it survived the wildfire.

"Gratitude takes nothing for granted." - D Postema

By the time I returned down the mt, my legs and feet were tired and achy. None of that mattered when I saw that this part of the mountain survived.

 "How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! To behold this alone is worth the pains of any excursion a thousand times over." 

-John Muir-

Discovering the Eastern Sierras - Day 2

On our second day, we hiked up to the Cottonwood Lakes area. This area is in the John Muir Wilderness, one of the first officially designated wildernesses in 1964.

It was a welcome sight to see water along the trail...waterfalls coming out of rocky areas, streams to cross and finally, lakes...

This is the first lake we encountered.

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In the meadow surrounding this lake, we saw this incredibly cute Yellow-bellied Marmot. He was enjoying his lunch in the rocky meadow full of places to hide when he feels threatened. Fortunately, I wasn't a threat to him.

 Around the corner was another lake...

The South Fork lake was the last one we passed before heading back down the mountain. Again, we realized that if we backpacked up here, we could enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of this place longer.On day 2, we hiked about 12 miles. We were pretty exhausted by the time we reached our tents but quite happy with the experience that we shared.

All weekend trips go past quite quickly. I was tempted to stop and ask the owner of the small cattle ranch what it was like to live at the foot of these majestic mountains...I can imagine what he would say.

Discovering the Eastern Sierra Mts - Day 1

Since arriving in Idyllwild, our hikes have been in the nearby mts of the San Jacinto Wilderness. With so many places to explore, we didn't consider going to any other mts. Now, most of our favorite trails are still closed due to smoldering fires. Even though the fire is 100 percent contained, hot spots continue to keep the

firefighters busy. We are reminded daily by the helicopters carrying buckets of water to the higher elevations. Time to discover the Sierras.

A friend recommended we visit the Inyo National Forest. This part of the Sierras is home to Mt Whitney, the tallest mt in the continental US at 14,495 feet. There are other lesser known peaks over 14,000 feet here as well.

To reach our campground, we had to drive up a scenic mountain highway to 10,000 feet elevation. Views of the desert were in the distance. Like most of the mt roads here, there are few guard rails and lots of boulders that line the edge of the road where they randomly fall.

We were greeted by this sign when we entered the campground. We had to camp differently. Most important, all food and toiletries go into a bear proof canister or metal bear box that the bears cannot figure out how to open. No leaving food in coolers in the car. Bears have been known to tear doors off of cars in order to get to the yummies in the Igloo cooler.

 The Cottonwood Pass trail began as an easy walk through the forest and then the switchbacks started to challenge us as we continued up the trail.In the distance, Horseshoe Meadows can be seen. That is where we had our campsite.

 Pretty interesting trees were at the higher elevations.

 

 When we reached 11,000 feet, the views were unbelievable.

 Our destination was Chicken Springs Lake. Not sure why it is named that...no chickens up here. After arriving here at the end of the day, we wished we had our backpacks so we could camp up here but instead, we had to return back down the mt to our campsite.

I am always on the lookout for birds, mammals, lizards or other interesting creatures. This day I discovered the Clark's Nutcracker....

and this really cute Golden Mantled ground squirrel...not sure why it isn't  called a chipmunk...

Our first day of hiking 8 miles was in the Golden Trout Wilderness area of the Inyo National Forest.

I highly recommend exploring this area!

Seven Days Later

It is amazing how life can change so drastically suddenly - A reminder to never take loved ones and other irreplaceable things that are close to your heart for granted. Fortunately,for all of us in Idyllwild, the wildfire did not cross over the ridge into this town. Just beyond its borders, 27,000 acres are smoldering. Officially, 98 percent is contained. "Thank You" banners decorated the town this week.

 When the unexpected rains stopped after 2-3 days of welcomed relief, the helicopters restarted their efforts at putting out remaining hot spots.

Early in the week, we buried the bird that died in the fire and landed on our stairs. We put a marker to remember all the unknown wildlife that did not survive up in the wilderness.

Every day, I looked outside for the return of life to our part of the woods. A male and female Nuttall's Woodpecker came to our yard this week for the very first time. I'm not sure where they normally live but it 

was great to see them.

The Steller's Jays brought normalcy when I saw the  juvenile follow its parent fluttering its wings wanting to be fed.

 I especially wanted to see if the Mountain Quail family had survived. They did! It was great to see the parents just as attentive to the safety of their brood. The family has shrunk from six to two offspring. With all the natural challenges they face (snakes,owls,hawks,bobcats,coyotes, wildfire), it seemed pretty remarkable.

 Tillie and Billie, 40-50year old Desert Tortoises, were among the animals that were evacuated from the Nature Center. We had a good time getting to know them this week when we helped with cleaning up their home along with feeding them a gourmet salad for lunch.

These baby Desert Tortoises have a way to go to be as big as their parents.

With all the wilderness trails closed, there are few options for hiking. The trail at the Nature Center is one of the few trails that is open. It was a welcome beautiful sight to see Tahquitz Rock and Southridge in the distance - A much more peaceful sight without the smoke!