XC Ski at Bear Valley

It was overcast and a bit drizzly last Thursday when I went cross country skiing (for the first time in several years) at Bear Valley.  They offer a senior program that includes rental, lesson and trail pass for $25.  Ski, binding and shoe design has changed considerably since I bought mine.  That (or rusty skills) resulted in several falls; embarrassing but no harm done.  And in spite of the falls (and really, really sore muscles) I got bit by the skiing bug and couldn't wait to go back.

The next Monday it was bright and sunny.  Most of the foot or so of snow on the ground was maintained over the week-end due to cold temperatures.   The easy flat trails that circle around the meadow are all groomed.  Some back country trails are open,  but I'm not up to exploring those yet.   

This time I brought my old boots and skies.  Oh they are so nice.  Just a bit wider than the newer   design.  They almost made me feel like I had my ski legs back!

The Stables Trail heads out west from the beginning and crosses a little creek and pond.

The trails are groomed for regular skiing (see the two sets of tracks on the left) and for 'skating'. 

Several trails come together at the 'Warming Hut'.  They serve warm food and drinks.  It's not so far from the start of the trails, but sure is a welcome sight on the way back!

Another trail follows Bloods Creek.  It was gorgeous out there and I didn't see another skier the whole loop.

Coming in from Bloods Creek the trail goes through shady woods.  That was the most fun because the colder snow made for faster (and easier) skiing!

According to the Bear Valley website they got an inch of new snow last night. Not so much, but anything is good now.  I'll check it out tomorrow!

Wide Angle World

Taking pictures with a wide angle lens is more fun!  My new camera is another Canon (of course!) PowerShot SX40 HS.  The lens is 24 to 840 mm.  This is my first wide angle ever and I didn't know what I was missing!  

So, I've been experimenting;  walking down a trail and trying to guess where to stop to take shot.  More often than not I stop way too far out to fill the frame with the wide angle lens.  It usually takes a couple stops until the subject does fill the frame.  Pretty soon I hope to get the hang of it!

One day I hiked late in the afternoon on the Carson Creek trail at Glory Hole on Melones Reservoir.  Love the fading light on the oaks.

Another day on the Heron Point trail at Tuttle Town, also on Melones, with beautiful big manaznitas.

The trail systems at both locations are through oak grasslands.  So cool to get so close to the ancient oaks.

A spur off the Carson Creek trail is accessible as the water elevation decreases.  Another opportunity to test the wide angle!  

 (The 840 mm is another story.  It's a challenge to hold steady.  I've been practicing on birds and considering another blog to use as a record of those attempts.  And maybe as a bird list too. Ummmm)

Yosemite Hike

The weather was still holding and the destination was North Dome and/or Indian Arch Rock.   This was a new trail for me.  With mostly a southern exposure, the trail was clear for the most part. The temps were in the mid 40s in the morning and closer to mid 50s by mid day.  

This little bonsai was soaking in the winter sunshine.  Last January it was probably under 15 feet of snow!

There are only a couple water crossings on this trail.  The first was kinda intimidating!  While the ice was really thick,  it was also very slippery.

In the heavy forest there are some patches of ice and frozen snow on the trail.  Not so bad going up hill, but watch down coming back down.  I was really glad to have hiking poles to assist!

Once up on top the trail continues along Indian Ridge with great views of the valley walls.

The trail turns off to the east and into the trees at the end of Indian Ridge, but not before this fantastic view of North Dome.  This was my turn around point; it's probably another 1 1/2 miles down to the Dome from here.  But I wanted to see Indian Rock.

Returning north on the trail I got my first glimpse of the Arch in the distance through the trees.

The trail to Arch climbs steeply and offers more great views of Half Dome and Sentinel Dome in the distance.  (Of course, Half Dome is spectacular from the North Dome trail too,  but my pics from there, not so much!).

I stopped part way up the hill for lunch.  Noticing tiny acorns on the ground I was looking around for an oak tree.  Then realized they were from low growing alpine oak like bushes.

Without the acorn I would have assumed they were manaznita.    

The Indian Rock formation is massive; still, it seems very fragile!  

This was a hard hike;  close to 8 miles at 8000 feet elevation, but oh soooo worth it!