Lake Tahoe 2021

 Made a trip to Lake Tahoe last month. It was a great getaway. 

If you've never been, you should make the trip. The water is crystal clear. I went out on a paddleboard on this lake for the first time. By the way, if you want to swim or use other light craft be sure to go in the morning - the waves really grow when the wind picks up.

While I was traveling along the coast I paused for a few moments and within a minute there was a school of thousands of little fish swimming around me. I could have used a net and caught hundreds, it was literally fish in a barrel. It was so interesting, I stayed in the spot for about fifteen minutes. They were all popping up to the surface, presumably to much on very tiny items which I could not see.

The fish were about an inch in length, a shiny silver in color, and seemed to have little-to-no fear of my presence. It was quite the moment.

I certainly understand why people want to make Tahoe their home. Strict codes help to keep the area as natural and rural as possible with esthetics to keep the natural theme alive.

The following two pics are from a natural habitat for waterfowl. During the spring and early summer animals such as dogs are not allowed on the paths for fear they will disrupt the natural cycle of life - good for them.

I went on a few hikes in the mountains while in Tahoe. The next couple of shots show where I sighted a few climbers. From my vantage point, there is a gorge with a rushing stream (unseen) below. By looking at the people in the second picture you obtain a sense of the size of the climb.

Something I am very interested in is all the different plant life in the mountains. There's plenty of old and new growth. I did not see any major die-off of trees which is great.

I also took a hike up to Eagle Falls. If you have the chance it's well worth the effort. The rushing water is amazing and the lake at the end is gorgeous. The area is quiet. At the time there were not a lot of people. The hike is not very strenuous.

I also rented an eBike and went on a ride up to Marlette Lake. let me tell you, there's no better way to go mountain biking on steep roads and trails than with a pedal-assist bike, wow. I gracefully passed by people who were huffing and puffing pushing their bikes up the hill. Now I like to reasonably exercise so I used the low power mode until it was absolutely necessary to beef it up. Let me tell you - the bikes are amazing! The bike senses when you're pushing on the pedals and gives you an assist when you don't have the energy yourself.

A view of the e-bike I used. There's hardly any difference between a regular trail bike. The battery pack is not visible.

If you ever have the chance to visit the Tahoe marshlands, by all means, do. It's quite a serene spot. There's plenty of wildlife and fauna. 

In closing, enjoy the sunset and have a great trip.

Back at Spring Mountain Ranch - What a Pitty

 In this post, I'm going to vent my frustration and anger. Being a naturalist for sixty years I've taken pride in visiting many parks and natural areas most of my life. This post pertains to @SpringMountainRanch in las Vegas, Nevada. Take a look at the photos and you'll understand.

The upper trails have been closed most of the time during the pandemic. Well, the above picture explains why. New fencing has gone around Lake Harriet. This fencing now keeps people about 75 to 100 feet away from the lake's edge and the fence is at least six feet tall. 

I can completely understand the State's reason for doing this, it's because of human beings, or those who think of themselves as humans. Because of people like you, and you know to whom I'm referring, you put invasive species in the lake, you let your dogs shit all over the trails, you and your children deface the rock and other natural items, and you leave your trash everywhere. 

I hiked this upper trail today, 2021-Mar 21, again for the first time in nearly a year. I'm so pissed-off at you filthy, good-for-nothing idiots who caused my freedoms to be more limited than they were because of your actions, you can't imagine. I wished there was a BOUNTY on catching those of you who break the rules. If one is enforced I'd be there every day collecting a handsome sum. 

Because of you, I can no longer sit along the shoreline, on the bench, next to the water, and enjoy the scenery. Because of you, this has become nothing more than an average hiking trail. 

Now some of you might be saying, "so what, what am I going to miss?"  Take a look at this next picture and you'll see what you'll never see again.

For over twenty years I've come to this lake, almost monthly, sometimes more frequently, simply because it was beautiful and peaceful. I've always purchased an annual pass, but alas, I will never do so again. Yes, it was this nice. 

Also, today while I was hiking the upper trail, I was fortunate enough to walk by two giant piles of dog shit. Well, in my opinion, and I've stated it before, let's close the park to dogs. Why not? Obviously, humans are not going to pick up behind their pets, they just won't. I used to look past these persistent piles of disgust because I so enjoyed around the waters. Now I say, PERMANENTLY BAN DOGS!

Before the pandemic, the park added extra Rangers. I used to walk by them and thank them for being present. I'd always tell them it helps to improve our humanity. Today, there was a park Ranger parked in his truck, next to the lake, with his red lights flashing - just watching people. Has it really come to this?  See the next picture.

So now, I say screw it. As is the usual case, the actions of the few have ruined the pleasures of the many. It's partly the fault of the powers that be. Why you ask? Because if we were to implement bounties on those who break the rules we would have ordinary citizens obtaining proof of those who do not respect what we strive to preserve. Put a $1k bounty on those whose animals shit on the trails without the owner cleaning it up. A $1k bounty on those who wilfully throw their trash wherever. A $1k bounty on those who deface or destroy what the rest of us hold so dearly. Offer a $1k bounty and people like myself will take the time to video the perpetrators and keep a lookout. As it is now, we may report it, but simple pictures won't do - they can be doctored. And who's to say it's an actual depiction of the event. 

I feel sorry for those young persons who will follow. Within the next decade or two, you won't be able to walk on the open lands without an escort. You'll be herded in like sheep. You won't have time to relax or explore. You'll have a designated time-slot and only be allowed to see a fraction of what's "out there".

Politics, partisanship, and archaic laws are what prevent the expansion of our freedoms and liberty. Soon you may as well walk by an aquarium because the beaches will be closed, the open lands will be fenced off, and you will be pigeon-holed in the grinding routine of your everyday life.

Let the people start making video citizens arrests with a bounty. It's the only way we can prevent further closures and loss of freedoms. Stop allowing the few to ruin what the many hold so dearly.

I've had enough of those of you who have no integrity or pride.  Make it happen.

Spring Mountains and Summer is Coming

Hello and welcome as we draw near to Memorial Day in the U.S. Hiking this last weekend proved to be warmer and most of the new young birds have fledged. The Spring Mountains are beginning to dry and many of the running creeks at their headwaters are no longer flowing. Previous weeks had steady flows of many gallons a second and now many are completely dry, as if the waters are only seen during a torrent of rain.

This coming week is looking good yet, but do leave early as the heat is upon us. And, as you venture into the open areas make sure you watch out for our biting friends, and I'm not referring to bugs. Check out this next picture carefully.

This rattler must have heard me walking because I only caught his tail as it was disappearing into the brush. Here he sat, coiled and waiting for me to reach my hand in to pet it. Little did the snake know, I had no intention of offering my hand.

Even though the waters are drying up, there is still some to be seen.

Here's a link to running water at one of the small falls at Pine Creek:  https://youtu.be/vk8XCAZ94g4

Happy hiking and be safe out there.

South Oak Creek Las Vegas

Among the Spring Mountains, there are miles of hiking trails waiting to be explored. Nowadays if you drive along Blue Diamond Road / Red Rock Canyon Road you will find many bike riders, some joggers, and many vehicles parked alongside the road.  More people than ever are taking advantage of the nice hiking back into the Spring Mountain canyons.  And with the recent rains, there is more water flowing than ever.

If you're a nature lover then one of the many hiking trails in the Spring Mountains is for you. On hot days the going is a little tough when you first start out, but the cool breezes gently fall from the peaks as you make your way deeper into the canyons.

South Oak Creek isn't a spectacular hike and it can be a little rigorous when you first start out because of the rocky trail. After you've made your way closer to the mountain base you'll find things a little easier. For this writing I'm letting you know I did not stay on the trail all the way into the canyon. Just before the split in the trail at the base of the mountain I diverged slightly left and went off-trail. Sometimes off-trail is more serene with a tad more peace.

Because I went off-trail on the way in, the pictures following will look unfamiliar if you're a regular. You too can go off-trail because once you're at a place where it's either too difficult or you're just ready to get back on-trail you head north (right when facing the mountains) and you'll eventually hit the trail once again.

Pack a small lunch and some water and plan on making this a multi-hour hike. Relax and take your time. There's usually water flowing so you'll want to explore on your way up.

As you can see in these pictures the trail appears to shoot straight back to the canyon. Although it looks easy, the trail is fraught with large rocks most of the way so you'll want to pay attention. It's not a difficult walk, but it can be dangerous when you're looking around at the scenery instead of your next step.

Although they're not visible from the road there are pine trees growing at the base. You wouldn't think so because they are seldomly seen growing in the desert without at least some kind of artificial water source. Off-trail there are a number of very old, dead, fallen trees.

Surprisingly enough, I did run into three people separately on this hike while off-trail. Like-minds, I guess when solitude is in the outlook.  The following two shots are panoramas looking back towards the road. It's a couple miles off in the distance so not exactly visible.

For you younger folk you may not recognize the next picture, or maybe you will. I think manufacturers stopped making these cans back in the late 70's or early 80's. They used to have a pull tab which people used to take off and toss. Personally I used to pull it and drop it into the can. Obviously this can has been out here for decades.

Finally when you reach the wash it's a rather welcome site to find water traversing through the rocks and meandering its way until it inevitably disappears beneath the sand. If you have the time follow the water, or trails, far back into the canyon as you can.

As always, happy hiking.