Celebrating 250th with Friends

 For the past 17 years, our July 4th celebration here at the lodge has been a family affair..  We love having everyone here to attend the July 3rd Fireworks in Colfax, the July 4th balloon fight parade in Dutch Flat followed by a big bbq at the lodge and Donner Lake fireworks viewing from the summit. I have to admit that it was hard for me to celebrate this year. 

With our country currently in such political turmoil, I have to constantly remind myself that our country is a  work in progress. An experiment, that has seen great leaps forward, as well as huge setbacks. We have seen people at their finest hour, and people in their worst moments. Over its 250 years. I have been fortunate enough to live through and celebrate both the 200th and the 250th anniversary of this country. I am hoping that my children will be able to celebrate the 300th in a country that can finally see liberty and justice for all.

This year, since many of our family had other plans, we invited our extended family of Cal Berkeley and Oakland friends to spend the weekend. Our Oakland friends and one of our Cal friends had to cancel due to family issues, but we added a few surprise folks to the mix.  Jim has known his Cal friends for more 50 years.  Having the lodge means we can spend time with them at the lake, the falls and other areas we love in and around the gap. As of bonus, my niece and her daughter came in from Missouri for a last minute visit and we added one of our Cal friends daughter and her two friends to the festivities.  

Since this weekend was America’s 250 celebration, the mountains had a lot more visitors than a normal 4th weekend,  The Colfax fireworks had 3 times as many people as normal and many of Tahoes parks were filled to beyond capacity,  The Colfax fireworks were longer and bigger than in previous years and we even managed to hike down into town to watch the show, rather than standing on the bluff. 

On the 4th, the Dutch flat parade was a bit more than our dog could manage, so we headed back to the lodge, while everyone else had a blast lopping water balloons as they watched parade marchers. Next Jim and friends headed to Lake Valley for the afternoon, while I prepped the ribs and made pie. 

Our BBQ was wonderful and we added neighbors Katie and Graham to the table, while losing my niece, her daughter and our 3 new guests as they headed down the mountain early. 

Everyone was a bit too tired to trek up to the summit to watch Truckee fireworks.  I suspect those fireworks were glorious. 

Today, everyone  packed their things and left for home.  Jim and I will stay here to work on a few small projects. 

Our dear friend, Dave, wrote a nice tribute to a lifelong friendship this group has shared.  He granted me permission to do it here.  

Gatherings

In the lair of the bears

Nestled in the trees

In the warm embrace of friends

With fond memories of thosr we loved

Back again in Emigrant Gap

Fifty years or more have passed

Since some here walked storied hallways 

And trod along a Strawberry Creek

Those were the days 

Of new found friends 

Of new experiences

And new formed ideas

Fiat Lux

May there (always) be light 

Now here we

Gathered again

A family of friends

Back again at Emigrant Gap

January 17, 2024 - El Nino means less snow and more rain

 Ths Christmas was one of our family events.  We were lucky enough to have 30 up here for Christmas Day.  Most of our nieces and nephews stayed for several days.  But there was no snow.  This is the first year that we have seen absolutely no snow at Christmas.  There were not even any "remnants" that we could shovel into a sled run.  So, for the first time we were able to drive back to North Fork of the North Fork campgrounds and take our niece and nephew from Georgia to see the falls in Winter.  We also purchased a permit and cut a beautiful Silver Tip in the national forest for our tree (no Charlie Brown Christmas Tree this year).  

Though the kids were bummed that there was no sledding, Sugar Bowl was open so they managed to get in some skiing and snowboarding.  Also, a group went up to Northstar and went ice skating at the rink there.  And another group went to Reno to check out the fun adventures there and do some gambling.  

For the first time, we managed to get the family to do a recorded since along of "everything's gone missing but the mistletoe".  We posted our great performance up on Facebook as our  one and only Christmas card to everyone.  Our nephew, Noah played cameraman and our nephew Brandon, held the "mistletoe" from a fishing pole above our newly engaged couple's heads for that part of the song that required kissing.   We even got the adults to sing along and use props!1 It was so much fun that it might become a tradition.

Another new addition was playing silly Christmas game/competitions.  Blindfolding shoveling bows into a bowl, picking up marshmallows with a straw, etc.  Another great idea that will become a tradition.  

We decided to keep the meals simple and focus on fun and family - which was a great idea.  The kids were able to spend time at the game room (usually a snowy hike to get there).  And we added a new basketball game for them to use.  

For work on the lodge, prior to and after Christmas, Jim has been busy converting 3 giant plywood shipping crates into storage shedsto hold some of our firewood and store our outdoor tables and benches.  No more lugging that stuff down to the basement once our summer events had ended.  I even plan to store the portable garage frames in one of these sheds in the future making set up and tear down of the Reunion banquet halls a bit easier.  

Last weekend our nephew came up with a few friends for his winter visit.  Finally we got a storm so we had 3 feet of snow.  So sledding one day, a trip to Virginia City another day and a drive down highway 40 on the 3rd day.  Good food and gaming in the game room.  Got to meet two of the dads and kids from my nephew's son's water pollo team.  I am still adjusting to most all of the great nieces and nephews beginning to reach their teens. 

Next up - a visit from our nephew and his kids in 2 weeks and then President's Day weekend with my niece and her family.  We are hoping the snow improves.  It has been raining off and on since Sunday (not typical January weather). 

I wonder if the big snow of the 1950s and 1890s was followed by a light rainy winter.  I may need to look that up.  As usual, California uses the Sierra as it's biggest water storage and without the snow, that means that we will have drought in the summer.  We are seeing less and less cedars surviving the beetle blight and hotter temperatures in the summer.   Alas - most of this is part of climate change. 

Yesterday a car stopped in front of the lodge while I was out walking and the guy in it told me (through Taylor's barking) that he lived at the lodge and went to school next store in 1992. His foster parents were running a B&B here with the top floor rooms rented out and the lower floor their residence.  He did not get to tell me much else, but I referred him to the blog - so I am hoping he can share a bit of his history here.  

Taylor and I have been managing to walk 5 miles per day (even in the snow and ice).  Shorter and more frequent walks.  Currently gray outside with intermittent rain.  Taylor is napping and I am updating our blog (which seems to only be updated once every 3 - 4 months now). 

With the world as troubled as it is, we are so very thankful that we have found this sanctuary in the mountains.  

Octboer 12, 2023 - Fall it is!

 We were thinking that fall would come a bit late this year - but right after the 22nd of September, the air started to have a slight chill in it.  Morning walks with the dog have become own right chilly and swimming ended just around Labor Day.  Luckily, we have not had any big forest fire events.  And yet, Cal Fire continues with our burn ban.  

Jim is still working on the back deck.  But he has managed to fit a few other projects in between the deck work - including repair on the rafters in the Screen Porch (one rafter was damaged by our heavy snows last year, so he decided to "double up" on rafters for a stronger roof). We have completed most of the painting on the back of the lodge now and are in the process of removing the scaffolding for the winter.  We plan to put it back up next spring so that we can paint the pre-primed hardie panel we installed at attic level.  

VIEW FROM BACK DECK

After surgery a few weeks ago, I have been on light duty.  But I am in the process of putting away all of the summer chairs (we store them in the basement) and getting everything stored for winter.  I have also been doing caulking, priming and painting on the back of the lodge.  Light duty ends this week.  

Light duty does not free me from my long walks with Taylor.  Yesterday, we walked up to the railroad tracks and found the old road that leads down to Bear Valley.  This road was used by folks prior to highway 20 being built.  It was always a dirt road and not passable in winter -- but it is still there.  I am hoping that next week when Katie is visiting she and I can take a hike down to Bear Valley on the old road.   

OLD ROAD TO BEAR VALLEY

YUBA RIVER GORGE FROM RAILROAD

One minor change to the living room.  We moved the shuffle board down to the game room and moved the bar from the game room to the living room.  That took away some under shuffle board storage area for the kids toy box.  We also demo'd our old broken player piano.  We keyboard from the game room will be brought up for Christmas and then stored in the attic (when not in use).  We decided to start clearing out stuff we have stored with the thought that it would be used eventually.  That allows us to make donations to Habitat for Humanity (they loved the windows we donated) and Salvation Army.  We are also going to start thinning out the jackets in the winter closet.  For the most part, adults seem to have jackets for snow play.  We will keep all the bibs, snow boots, gloves and kids jackets, which have been a hit with parents.  

It is nice to walk and drive back toward the falls and take a drive up to the lake during autumn.  Although California is not know for fall colors, we do have a lot of yellows with the white oak trees and reds with the dogwood.  

STAMP ON FULDA CREEK BRIDGE

GEO MARKER AT LAKE VALLEY DAM

Last week, my neighbor and I drove up to one of the "wild" apple trees near Laing Road and picked fall apples.  I used mine to make apple butter, apple sauce and apple cider.  Here are a couple photos of Emigrant Gap in Fall. 

FALL COLORS - OAK TREE

PICKING APPLES FROM WILD TREE

It has been two years since we lost my mom.  She loved the lodge and spent a lot of time up here, helping us clear the property (in her 80s) and work on furniture and painting.  We have a memorial garden here for her which includes a lovely sculpture and a nice log to sit on.  This year I will be adding bearded iris and more daffodils. 

August 20th, 2023

Back at the lodge after a month of vacation.  The weather here is typical for August in the Sierra in non-drought years. Hot and muggy in the daytime, afternoon thundershowers and warm nights.  Because of the late winter, there are many bears out searching for food.  Most of the berries that they would normally find in June did not start setting until August and are still green.  So, bears have been breaking into cabins along our street.  As a result, we are closing our windows at night (which makes the warm nights even warmer).  

One bear had to be caught and destroyed.  This action is sad for us - but it is better to keep people safe, than risk break-ins. 

Jim is still completing the siding on the back of the cabin and I have been busy putting away the gear from our family reunion (portable garages, tables, chairs, hammocks, etc).  We are starting to get ready for fall and winter.  The pine cones have dropped early again -- which we have been told is an indicator of a long and snowy winter.  We shall see.  

We need to repair the roof over the Sunroom (screen room).  We have decided that since the snow force coming off the main roof has been getting caught in the ridges on the sunroom metal roof that we will replace the snowfall area with flat metal roofing.  Hoping for less leaks in the roof this winter.  

As of yet, I have not had time to work on the game room walls.  We installed new windows in the game room, leaving the walls pretty trashed.  My plan is to paint the damaged wall black, then add barnwood to the wall.  On another wall, I want to put in wood rounds as a tribute to my mom.  We still have one more window to install in the game room where the old broken heater is located.  I am not in the game room often because our neighbor can not tolerate our dog barking and he is with me most of the time. 

Once the back wall siding is done, Jim is going to start felling dead trees again for firewood for this winter.  We went through 5 cords of firewood last winter and I think we will do the same again this winter. 

Today is overcast due to a tropical storm that is skirting the sierra.  Our neighbors across the street are gone for a bit so, other than passing cars, it is rather quiet.  Campers are just about done since the weather has not been nice for that.  I have been picking up litter along our road all summer.  Seems like much more than we usually get.  I have tried signs  but nothing seems to help. And with the bears litter is a major issue.  We have been keeping our garbage inside.  Unfortunately, while we gone, someone dumped a bunch of beer cans and unwashed chili cans and steak containers into our trash cans.  This is a big problem with the bears being so active, so we have removed our trash cans for now.  We usually only use the cans for clean recycles and building materials.  Our compost and regular garbage is kept inside and disposed of quickly.  

SPECIAL REQUEST!

For anyone who still reads this blog.  

First:  I am still trying to fill in the History of Emigrant Gap.  In particular, I am seeking historic information about the area post World War 2.  If you know any history about the area that I have not already covered, please let me know.  

Second:  During my long walks with my very active dog, I have found a lot of blooming and now fruit filled apple trees.  The trees are located along Emigrant Gap Road and Laing Road.  Does anyone know if there was once a commercial orchard here?  If so, what was the orchard name and when was it here? Do you know the type of apples grown here?  We had a large apple tree on our property that we have been told was a great a snitch tree (neighbors gleaned the tree for apple pies while our lodge was boarded up).  We had to remove the tree because it was growing in the middle of our deck and it was damaged due to the heavy snows the first couple of years we owned the lodge.  We have a second tree which is much smaller and has been damaged over the last two winters due to heavy snow fall.  We would love to put in more apple trees, but need to know the variety that grows here.  SOOOOOO, if you have any information about the apple trees of Emigrant Gap, please contact us.  

Third:  If you have any vintage photos of Emigrant Gap that you would like to share on this blog, please send them with the timeframe they cover and a short story about the history behind the photo.  

 

July 21, 2023 - Another GAP Reunion

 After all the snow melted in early June, we were able to keep working on our re-siding project on the back of the cabin and start the finish work on the repaired fire escape.  However, we still have a lot of work to do on the winter damage to our cabin.  First, the snow load was so great, one of our 2 by 12 rafters in the screened in porch cracked.  We were able to support it with a 4 by 8 until Jim was able to repair it a few weeks ago.  Second, the staircase coming off the deck cracked (again due to the sheer weight of the snow).  For now, Jim  has patched that and will replace the stair supports before this winter.  Third - the railing on the deck (top board0 broke.  We have removed the broken board and will replace the railing before winter.  Fourth, the roof on the screened in  porch was literally peeled back by the moving snow as it migrated down the roof.  We need to order a few sheets of new roofing - this time, flat flashing style so that the ridges do not get pushed by the force of the snow.  

Since the snow was here until June, we had little time to work on projects before our every 2 year Gap Reunion (this time held from Jun 29 - July 5 (give or take).  We had about 44 people who attended this reunion.  Of course it included fireworks on July 3 in Colfax, the Fourth of July parade in Dutch Flat and Fireworks viewing from the Summit (looking down at Donner Lake).  In addition, there were a few trips to our kayaking lake, hikes to the falls, a tour of the railroad snow tunnels, our historic GAP almost %K, and lots of food.  There were a few last minute cancelations due to illness and a couple of last minute adds.  No major injuries for the reunion which was a blessing. 

After everyone headed home from the GAP reunion, my sister and her husband visited us at the lodge.  They brought along their two grandsons who were a delight and so curious about the cabin.  We took them on a tour and since they were able to spend a bit of time at the reunion, they met some of Jim's cousins and were taught how to use some of our outdoor games.  

A bit later we were visited by a 300+ lb bear.  He broke into our snow entry and got access to our spare freezer.  We had to call 911 to get him out.  Then he went over to our neighbor's cabin and stole a cake out of their kitchen.  The game warden brought in 3 bear cages and they were able to catch him (confirmed with DNA).  He went down to the state game facility for evaluation.  Apparently, he had been breaking into cabins all along our road since melt. 

The bears are particularly active this year since we had a long winter and the berries they normally eat are not bloomed yet.  We are hoping this is the last bear for our cabin.  We really do  not need that kind of excitement.  

During all of this, I was able to take a few nice hikes with Taylor.  One hike was along the railroad from the Emigrant Gap/Laing Road crossing east toward Yuba Gap.  While I was hiking, I noticed a big water pipe cage (circa 1940s  I think) with big twist water handles.  I investigated and found that there is a giant water pipe going from the North Fork of the North Fork, through Sailor Ridge. then underground to Laing Road, under the freeway, under a mountain between the freeway and the railroad.  On the North Side of the railroad is where I saw the big cage with the water "pumps" bringing water either into the Drum Canal below or the Yuba or Bear River below that.  I also saw a concrete snow wall - not sure if this wall was located by the area where the 1952 City of San Francisco train got trapped between two avalanches.  And I saw what appeared to be two broken old iron anvils along the railroad as well (photos below).  Taylor has been enjoying our walks to the Rancho Sierra and back and our walks to Fulda Creek Bridge, but he really enjoyed our hike along the railroad.  

Photos - Anvil, Tracks, Concrete Snow Wall, Water Pumps, View

And finally, a bit of lodge history.  Several years ago we found about 6 heavy plates in the basement.  I thought they were probably from the time of the hotel - but always wondered about them.  Recently, I looked them up and found that they are "army" plates and would have been from the period of time during WW2 that the hotel was rented out to the Military Police to guard the railroad.  We also have metal folding cots from that era.  SO instead of going to the donation pile, these plates will go with the rest of our Hotel History stuff.  

March 15, 2023 - Snow, snow, snow

Winter came early to Emigrant Gap.  By October, there was snow on the ground which was great for combatting our never ending drought but was not so great for seasonal prep at the lodge.  Jim had been working hard all summer and early fall on repairing the back fire escape/deck and residing project (which --- with the early snow, was left unfinished). We still had not cut and split firewood.  I have to admit that we will never let that happen again!  Digging big logs out of the snow, then cutting and splitting them in snowy conditions was not fun.  But by December we managed to have enough wood stacked to get us through a regular drought winter.  Unfortunately 2022/23 winter has been nothing "regular". 

During this time, cousin Doug and Roberta came to the lodge for a short visit.  It is wonderful to be able to share our work plans and progress with someone who is doing much the same in upstate New York.  Doug has been busy building an Event Center on his property south and east of Saratoga Springs.  Since he lives in New York, he was able to purchase the framing of an old barn to use for his building.  So, we are able to share all the fun times of moving lumber, and dirt, and rocks, and concrete and building something that the whole family can enjoy.  Doug's Event Center has recently evolved into a huge family gathering barn with extensive views of his rolling hill property.  

By Christmas we had seen at least three big  snow storms at the lodge.  This allowed for pre-Christmas skiing. The four of us spent a quiet Christmas (no big family Christmas since it is an "off" year).  Since it was just us, we did our usual morning gift exchange, followed by way too much food, silly holiday photos, a dog dress up session and our semi annual Christmas Performance. This year we performed "Santa's Yodeling Song" on our recently repaired, yet still not done back deck. With our Christmas apparel, wired hair (ala Pippi Longstocking), and Mary Beth on lead vocals and Ukulele, with Katie and me on harmony and sleigh bells/triangle and Jim singing bass, we left Taylor and Clinton to be our critics.  Of course, all of this silliness was captured on Facebook for our friends and family to see just how much we miss them when we are left to our own devices for the holidays. 

Christmas was followed by  . . .  wait for it . . .  more snow.  By Martin Luther King Holiday we had a bunch of the white fluffy stuff for our nephews Bill and James and their kids to come up for winter sledding and fun.  No worries about shoveling snow just to make our snow run.  We spent more time just shoveling to get in and out of the cabin each day.  We also managed to make a few fun crafts with the Ella.  

Presidents weekend was with sister Mary and hubby Lynn and their daughter and son in law Jess and Josh and their two sweet boys.  More snow play, skiing and . . of course. . . . more snow.  But most of the group made it down to Nevada City for Madi Gras Parade (as I watched separation anxious Taylor).  

Of course, all of this was followed by, you guessed it. . . .more snow.  Katie had a group of friends up just before our biggest snow storm (10 feet) in February. They barely got into the cabin, and later barely got out.  In fact Katie had so much snow to dig out at our front door that she was unable to get in the first night she the same nieghbor that later, they had a "Snow Bar" set up in front of the cabin while they built a snowman and also made snowcones for the kids.    

We followed after the 10 foot or more storm and dug out yet again.  Digging snow is becoming less fashionable for us.  I have to say that this year we have had the most snow standing that I have ever seen while we have owned the Lodge. There is so much snow at the screened in porch deck that you can not tell that there is a deck, or a screen porch.  In fact, the drift of the roof goes all the way up 3 levels to the lower part of the main floor bedroom windows. 

So now it is March and our snow fall is beginning to change into constant rain, our 10 foot snow banks are now 8 foot banks.  We can finally see through a few of the living room windows (they are no longer completely blocked by snow) and we are taking bets as to when the snow will finally be gone.  Oh and by the way, our firewood pile is getting really, really small . . . .  

By the end of the season we will know if this snow beats the record from the 1980s. We are currently at the 4th snowiest winter since 1946 (graph below shows when we were fifth).  

. 

 

September 16, Mosquito Wildfire

 On September 6, we saw some smoke coming up the ridge from around Auburn area.  We knew it was pretty far away - but with the dry conditions in the Sierra and the beetle-blight trees, our little community started tracking the fire.  The start point was close to Foresthill, a mountain town across the North Fork of the American River from us.  Only the smoke from the fire has touched us and we feel for the people over by Todd Valley, Michigan Bar and Foresthill who may have lost their businesses and homes.  Our new camp lake (at least new to us) is close to Foresthill and we were concerned that it would get burned as well.  Also the most north stand of Sequoias is in the area and we have been wanting to go see that for a long time.  

The air quality here has pretty much sucked for the last 10 days.  Jim has managed to keep working on the back of the lodge and the new fire escape, while I started moving firewood from the back of the property up to the street to be split and also moved already split wood into our stack bins in front of the lodge. 

I continue to trim trees up 6 feet and remove small brush in anticipation of burn days before the big winter snowfall.  

Today, things changed.  About 15 big dozers and water crews drove down Emigrant Gap Road (Texas Hill Road) headed back to a staging point in already burn scarred Onion Valley.  Cal Fire advised us that they will be cutting a large break up on the SawTooth Ridge, which is back behind the North Fork of the North Fork.  Although I am glad that they are here to protect us, I wish that the fire was more than 20% contained since it has already burned 70,000 acres of the Tahoe National Forest.  

All of this mess can be attributed to a lot of things.  Global warming, Beetle Blight, Drought, but the biggest issue in my mind is poor forest management.  Most of the wild fires in California occur on national forest land.  Land that has not been cleared or control burned in ages.  In our area, logging pretty much stopped in the 1930s, leaving us with scrub trees and cedars and little "cash" trees that any large logging company would need to make logging here viable.  The National Forest Service has had their budget cut and cut and do not have the personnel to manage the forests properly.  Ex-president Trump cut more money away from the forest service and blamed people to live in forested areas for not "raking the forest".  Glad he is gone - but it is time for Congress to step up and allocate more money to forest management (which means either more taxes or tax money taken away from other things).  If something does not change, the only management we will have are they enormous wildfires.  

Anyway, off my soap box and time for some other updates. Many of the people here at Emigrant Gap and Fulda Creek have put together a neighbor contact group on Signal (an app that is rather like chatting for groups).  Since that started, quite a few people have started showing interest in our area's history.  I have referred them to the pages on our blog and to the various historical groups around Colfax and the summit.  There is also a big interest in old hiking trails, waterfalls and missing narrow gauge train engines.  So, I have started digging into the past, once more to help those interested learn more about the logging companies here at Emigrant Gap and Fulda (a town that was once between Emigrant Gap and Blue Canyon).  So far, we have found a few contacts that know a bit about the possible missing train engines and the whereabouts of old track (see Stories from the Summit for new photos and information on the logging in the area).  

For hiking trails, I referred our Signal Members to Russell Towles amazing website and quite a few people have now followed in his footsteps, relocating hiking trails that have not been tended in ages.  This is great!!!! Many, many photos are being posted about these adventures!!!! One of our greatest adventurers is our own next door neighbor.  He, and a group of hearty EGers, have belayed, hikes, swim, droned etc a lot of the trails described on Russell's website.  

And finally, with the resurgence of interest in the History of Emigrant Gap and our area in general, I have gotten back in contact with Jim White (one of the authors of Stories from the Summit) and hope to interview him soon.  

So that is our update for this week.  Temperatures are already changing and believe it or not - it may snow next week.  Hoping for a very white winter and an end to this hideous drought. 

View of Mosquito Fire Cloud (illuminated by sunset). 

Old photo found of mapper looking west to Emigrant Gap from Rock above Bear Valley.  Circa 1942.  Love this photo!

Another view of the smoke cloud from the Mosquito fire (before the smoke got really bad here).   

Back of cabin progress for fire escape.  The tarps were to keep Jim shaded as he works. 

At this point most of the siding is up  - except in the attic which will not be able to be reached until the fire escape work is done.  

 

September 6, 2022 Labor Day

We are seeing some very hot weather this week at Emigrant Gap.  Another example of global climate change I guess.  Over the last couple of weeks, Jim and I have done some exploring here on the slope.  We returned from our vacation at the Rogue River a bit early (due to the heat and forest fire smoke up there) and decided to spend some "glamping" time at the lodge.  No work - just fun.

There are many places that I have wanted to explore in the nearby sierra, but never seem to have the time to do.  We started with a map search of the summit and the lakes in that area.  I had heard that a few of the lakes up by Royal Gorge Ski Area are open to the public.  A few years ago, we visited Kidd Lake (which is a PGE lake that offers group camping so semi-public) on the Royal Gorge Road.  At that time we wanted to visit the lakes further down the dirt road there, but did not have the time to explore.  It turns out only one lake beyond Kidd is "public".  To get there, you drive to the end of a very rutted and rocky dirt road, then hike about 3/4 of a mile up the Pallisades Creek trail.  You get to cross both Cascade lakes at the dam.  Cascade lakes' water is owned by PG&E but the shoreline is privately owned.  

Long Lake, our destination, is above is often visited by short backpack groups and folks from the summit and Truckee,  It is a natural lake and it  beautiful (photo below).  The water is clear and the boulders around the lake provide a great lounging area and "jump off" rocks into the cool water below.  Behind the lake is Devils Peak, a gorgeous volcanic mountain with faceted uplift rock (Like Rainbow Falls near Mamouth) and bubble out volcanic rock on it's side.  We visited on a pretty busy day - but still were able to get in a refreshing swim.  Totally worth the ugly dirt road drive from Serene Lakes area.  I would recommend those without high clearance vehicles to avoid driving to the end of the trail.  It is pretty rutted and full of big rocks.  

Pallisades Creek trail  goes on to additional smaller ponds and finally ends at the American River somewhere near the Royal Gorge.  We were hoping other lakes would be accessible, but most in the area are under private ownership or part of .orgs.

 

The following day we decided to drive to Bowman Lake following the road that goes through Graniteville.  I had read that Graniteville was a bit of a ghost town and had wanted to see it for years  We started our drive down highway 20 toward Grass Valley.  Google maps showed us a short cut through Harmony Ridge Road at Harmony Ridge and we decided to take it.  It turned into a pretty steep dirt road heading down to the Yuba River and Edwards Crossing Bridge (an old steel bridge with a wood plank top).  

We continued up to North Bloomfield Road, a dirt road that took us to the ghost town of North Bloomfield and Malakoff Diggins Park.  There we saw some pretty cool buildings and a really interesting cemetery.   Malakoff Diggins was a hydraulic mining site that caused a lot of sediment to be floated down the Yuba River at the tail end of the California Gold Rush. 

And. . . . we probably should have stopped there, but I was really wanting to see Graniteville and see if we could actually make it to Bowman Lake.  So onward we drove on the dirt North Bloomfield Road.  We finally got to Graniteville and unfortunately it was not really a ghost town.  It is a cluster of historic homes and cabins, built along the creek and road.  No restaurant, no services, nada.  But it was a pretty little town on a dirt road and worth the drive.  

And. . . . we probably should have stopped there.  But we decided to trek on - toward Bowman Lake.  The road to Bowman was OK for a while until we turned onto Meadow Lake Road. As we could see Bowman Lake off in the distance, the road got steeper and steeper and rockier and rockier and harder and harder to drive - even with our high clearance 4 wheel  truck. 

 We drove downhill toward the dam and I was silently white knuckling it as Jim used some quiet profanities.  I kept reminding him of another adventure ride I took us on in the Canadian Rockies that had ended in a disappointing end (just to keep him laughing).  When we finally got to the dam, we discovered that the ugly rock road only went on the north side of the lake to the campground - an adventure we decided to leave behind, and down to the bottom of the dam to get out to Bowman Road and home.  

We did hike down and take a dip in the way to big lake and sit and look at the glorious view before we decided which path to take out - neither seemed like a great option.  And we were hungry.  We had no food in the car, only altoids.  Since we already knew just how bad Meadow Lake Road was, we decided to try Bowman Lake Road (also known as BAD ROAD).  I can not say which road was worse, since they were equally rutted, rocked, steep and ugly.  But Bowman had the added fun of cars trying to come into the lake on the narrow, steep and winding road as we were trying to get out.  We climbed down the road to the base of the dam and back up at about 2 -3 MPH. 

After a lot more white knuckle and words, we finally reached the somewhat paved road and we breathed a huge sigh of relief.  We did get to see an amazing water canal that went right into into the side of a rock mountain along the way with an interesting sign showing a stick figure person drowning in the canal cave.  I think the Goonies movie had at sometime got people thinking they could ride the canal through the blown out mountain - not a good idea apparently.  Oh - and there was a cage across the opening.  

We finally reached the turn off for Lindsey and Carr Lakes in the Grouse Lakes Region and knew we were safely out of the "breakdown without hope of help" area.  I am beginning to think we need to take the road from Faucherie Lake into Bowman next time (not). 

Since then,  Jim has been working on the backside of the cabin, and I have had the opportunity to interview Mary, one of our Fulda Creek neighbors, about her time here in Emigrant Gap (see Stories from the Slope tab). 

As have also been conversing with our friends at Emigrant Gap on Signal, about future hikes, history and wild animals in the area.  There has been much discussion about the Lost Locomotive called out on Russell Towle's website. 

Just over a week ago we hosted our annual Cal Friends get together.  It started with a trip for 5 of us and two dogs back to Long Lake (our new favorite small lake).  Unfortunately, just before the event, one of our long time friends went into the hospital with a serious infection.  Since he was in Reno, everyone had decided to each take a day to go for a hospital visit (a possible challenge since COVID is still surging). After the arrival of two more friends and one more dog and a nice and lively dinner and night trip up to Blue Canyon airport to look through the telescopes there, we found out that our dear friend had surprisingly passed away.  That ended our get together since we had all become too sad to continue our annual celebration.  

Since then, one of our visiting fur babies also passed away.  So it has been a sad time at the Gap.  

We returned back home to the bay area for a week (first Cal Football game), and are now back at the lodge for our friends memorial service.  Jim is still plugging away at the back of the lodge, working on the siding and the fire escape repair.  I am getting ready to do some chair upholstery today.  Wednesday is the memorial.   I will be taking my driver's license driving text on Thursday (they finally found out from Kaiser that I am blind in one eye).  Wish me luck.

Though we love summer hikes, driving adventures, exploring and swimming, we are beginning to feel ready for the cooler days of autumn.  

July 2, 2022 - A Memorial

 I can't believe it has been almost a year since I have posted to our blog.  A lot has happened in that time.  First, by September of 2021, we completed the re-siding of the east side of the lodge.  We added about 9 feet of Hardie Panel to  the lower basement wall for fire prevention.  Then replaced the old cedar siding with new which we caulked, primed and painted (just like the west side of the building).  This project took most of our summer and went a bit into fall.  The photo below is before we completed the painting. Usually I do all the caulking, priming and painting - but by the time the siding was up, I was pretty busy preparing for fall visits, so Jim and Jose did a great deal of this side of the building.  

In October, while my sister Mary and her husband Lynn and my mom were visiting. my mom suffered a massive stroke.  We had just visited Reno the day before and mom bought 4 sweaters for winter.  We had lunch at drive through JimBoys (since we were still in COVID) and headed back to the lodge.  The next day while chatting at the dining table and eating chips, mom suddenly slumped over.  We were unsure at first if she was having a mini seizure (something that occurs when you have A-FIB), but we figured out pretty quickly that the situation was quite different.  We called 911 paramedics and they told us things did not look good.  Next, at their recommendation had her helicoptered to a Sutter Hospital in Roseville - a Stroke Center (where our sister Pat joined us).  Since the hospitals were still following COVID protocol, we were lucky that they allowed the 3 of us to stay each night, and allow the rest of the family to visit and say goodbye.  Mom never regained consciousness and passed away 3 days later.  My mom was 92. We are still coming to terms with her passing.  She was the center and anchor of our family.  She is deeply and daily missed. 

Also in the fall, our dear friends from Oakland, decided to purchase the two railroad cabins across the street.  It is so much fun having them live near us again.  

In December, we hosted our semi annual Christmas event (Snow Christmas). On December 26th, a huge storm came into the Sierra and everyone had to leave fairly quickly and sooner than expected (traveling on a closed and snowy freeway).  Jim, Katie, Mary Beth and I stayed on with 3 days of freeway closer and being snowed in.  It was heaven- no freeway noise, no road noise, no train noise.  Just the sound of snow.  

In January, out friends Wade and Mary came up for a visit.  Fun skiing and snowshoeing. 

In February, our nephew Bill, Adam, their families, friends and cousin came for a visit to the lodge. At about the same time, our niece Jessica and her family and Mary and Lynn came up.  It was fun and silly and noisy - just the way we like it to be.  

We had some late snows during springtime  and some big thaws and rain which resulted in our neighbor's gravel driveway losing it's gravel, which blocked the huge road drain by our back access road.  This resulted in TONS of water going down the back road to our portable and our neighbor's house (the old school house), We did what we could to create a blockade on the road to route the water and gravel down our hill.  Later Jim and many of our neighbors dug out the big drain and routed the water back to it.  It was pretty crazy.  Photo below of neighbors digging.  

In April we went over to an Ashram in Grass Valley area to see 17,000 tulips.  My mom would have loved it.  Photos below.  

The late spring slowed down the beginning of our final siding - the back wall.  To work on the back wall, Jim has had to remove our fire escape and add 4 stories of scaffolding.  During the teardown, he discovered that we needed to reset 3 windows and a door that were installed incorrectly by the previous owners and he had to replace a major wood beam across the back of the building (between the lower floor and basement).  Now that the beam is replaced and the windows are reset, we are adding back in a window that had been removed sometime in the past to the back bathroom on the main floor and adding ventilation to the attic.  As this is being done, Jim is adding the siding, floor by floor.  We plan to have the last wall complete by the end of this summer.  

On June 22, Katie hosted some of her friends from Crockett to a weekend of fun at the lodge.  They got to hike to the falls, swim and kayak at Lake Valley and hike the train tunnels.  We believe this may become an annual event (like the one that Mary Beth hosts for her birthday). 

On July 2 we hosted a Celebration of Life for my mom.  Much of the northern California family plus Adelaide and Sylvester and a few select friends were able to attend.  To prepare for the event, I built a rock garden in the back yard (to hold some of mom's cremains).  We also set up the picnic table for rock painting and wood burning and set up the pavilions for a big BBQ.  My mom had asked that her cremains be at the lodge so she could look out over her entire family.  She also requested no big deal, just dancing, singing, and eating.  We think we did that justice. At the end of the weekend, it seemed like the end of an era.  

July 25 - North Fork Rescue and Mary Beth's Week

 Mary Beth held her week at the cabin.  Her friends from school and past that came up for Swimming, Kayaking, Tubing, Mountain Biking, Hiking and other fun.  She had two groups visit during the week and had more than enough food to feed an army (or a reunion).  On the final weekend, Katie brought up her godson, Oliver for kayaking and hiking.  I am sure Mary Beth took lots of photos that may, or may not be added to this site later.

There was some smoke on the final days of her week from the fire up near Quincy. We arrived at lunchtime on the 25th and all of her friends had left for home.  The smoke was very high and smelly - creating a thermal layer and making the midday very muggy and hot.  Katie decided to take Oliver down to the falls at the North Fork of the North Fork prior to heading home.  About 2 1/2 hours into her trip i got concerned because she was just doing a short hike and had wanted Jim to take Oliver on a Polaris ride before they left for home.  There was a good reason for the concern.  See the story below (which I also posted on Facebook).  

We have 4 new heroes here at Emigrant Gap. Yesterday, Katie and her godson Oliver went down to the NFNFAR falls to hike down to the pool. They met up with our "schoolhouse" neighbor, Adrian there. He scuba dives the pool below the falls and returns people their lost cell phones, go pros, etc. (truly a good guy).

There were a lot of people jumping off the boulders into the falls gorge and into the pool below. We have had many accidents at the falls and a few fatalities over the years. Anyway, while Katie and Oliver were there, this guy climbed up the face of the pool boulder (which has a nice flat ridge to climb along and handhelds to climb higher) and jumped off. Unfortunately, he did not clear the rock and hit his leg on the way down. He came up (luckily) but was swimming with only one leg. Adrian knew right away that he was in trouble. Adrian swam across the pool, rescuing the guy off a rock he had swum too on the far side of the pool. Then he pulled the guy to shore. He and another hero assessed the damage, there was a lot of blood and the knee looked to be broken. They got the blood to stop gushing by tying a towel around the guy's knee, which also kept his leg stabilized.

B y the way - there is no cell service back at the pool, Luckily for this guy, Adrian had his satellite phone and texted Jim (up at our cabin) to call 911. The response time for emergency services up here can be 40 minutes to 1 hour. Since Adrian could not tell if we got his text and we could not text him back, Adrian and the other hero carried the injured guy about 1/2 mile to the road. Oliver and Katie walked ahead of the rescue crew and removed debris and rocks from the path. Then they put him in the back of our truck, readying to drive him slowly out.

That is when the Cal Fire rescue guys arrived (4 rescue trucks). We are not sure the injured guy took the rescue truck to the hospital ($$$) - we think he must have since his leg looked pretty badly broken.

With all that, Jim and I are here for a few days working on the siding.  We hope to be ready to prime and paint during the month of August. Then, of course, September is the beginning of football season and also it is time to get ready for tree cutting and firewood for the winter.  Ah, the idle life of cabin owners. 

July 4th - Visitors as the Pandemic Softens

 For the 4th of July (and prior) we had a few guests visit us in Emigrant Gap.  And now that we all have our COVID shots, we are feeling a bit safer venturing out.  First, my mom (who is almost 92) came up for a week.  She has now decided that she will most likely not visit the cabin in winter - but likes it in spring, summer and fall (as long as there is not any snow on the ground).  Luckily for her, and unluckily for us, California is back in an epic drought, so I think it will be easy to accommodate her wishes.  

Jim's sister, Carol was driving back from a visit to Utah and stopped off for several days.  She and Jim took a drive over to visit Jim and Laura at their Lakeside cabin at Lake Tahoe. I stayed home with Taylor the terrible dog and my mom.  They spent the afternoon at one of the beaches on the east shore.

Carol left the day before the 4th of July and Katie, Mary Beth, my sister Mary and her husband Lynn came in for the holiday.  On July 3rd, Mary, Katie and I drove down to Colfax and went to one of my favorite small thrift stores.  I found some items we needed for the camper and the cabin - but Mary found a wonderful sewing machine that works perfectly!!!!! Later that evening, Katie, Mary and I went to Colfax for their fireworks.  We watched from the upper hill (where we always watch) and then headed back to the cabin.    Lynn, Mary, Katie and Jim went to the 4th of July parade in Dutch Flat (always a soaking experience) while I stayed home with mom, Mary Beth, Clinton and Taylor.  Then the night of the 4th, Lynn, Katie, Jim and I drove up to the summit to watch the fireworks over Donner Lake.  It was a beautiful evening and the sunset was lovely - but little known to us, the fireworks over Donner were canceled  due to COVID and fire danger.  So we drove back down the summit and called it a night.  Luckily no one started any fires in our area over the 4th and most of the campers where pretty respectful with their driving speed and no littering. 

A couple of things that did happen prior to the holiday.  On the 28th of June, a car was driving back to North Fork Campground and said they saw a deer, went off the the side of the road, and hit a tree (and a bit down the cliff).  Sheriff Taylor was out walking with Jim and found it necessary to investigate the scene (see photo). On the 29th  just after Mom and I returned from a quick trip up to Truckee,  and Carol arrived from Utah, a semi truck slammed into a pickup that was parked on the side of freeway by Laing Road (changing a tire).  The chain reaction resulted in another semi crashing and spilling 300 gallons of diesel fuel which caught on fire and started a small grass fire on the side of the freeway.  They had to close down I 80 westbound for a few hours as they cleaned up the mess. Since things usually happen in 3s we are counting the freeway mess as two incidences.  Luckily no one was injured in these accidents. 

And on another note, one of the Fulda Creek homes went up for sale recently and it is currently in escrow.  We are hoping the new neighbors (Mark and Amy) love Emigrant Gap as much as we do. 

Finally, we had a brief visit with Jim White, the current sierra photographer and former game warden near Emigrant Gap. Jim and his wife were dating in 1943.  Jim's wife is a young 96 while he is a bit older (we are guessing 98). He is still driving up to Emigrant Gap to photograph the wild flowers. He shared some of his memories about the Monumental Lumber Mill Railroad on Texas Hill Road and how people used to take the train up from Auburn to ride the railroad to a tram that took them up to Big Valley Bluff to view the Royal Gorge.  He and his wife have also hiked down into the gorge (from Big Vally Bluff) and back in one day.  He talked a bit about the train that derailed at the MLMR (which is supposed to still be back there) and how he removed some of the steel rails from the old railroad later for the war effort in WW2.  We hope his next visit will be longer so that we can capture more of his history on the upslope. 

Mary Beth is using the cabin with her friends the week of her birthday.  Jim and I will return to the cabin after her departure.  We are still working on sealing the siding (prior to priming and painting) and getting the window trim ready for installation.  August is a busy month, but we are hoping to get this project (residing the east side of the cabin) done soon.