(*Big thanks to Carleton for providing many of the best photos.)
Western Tanager.
We were amazed by closeup views of the usually elusive Tanagers on 5 occasions; with their sunset colors they are like rare forest jewels. The Bald Eagles began appearing at Huckleberry Lake, which was our fishing destination too. They soon showed themselves to be a family group, with 2 fledged juveniles. The Eagles were often perched in the tree tops over Huck. Lk., and we saw them all around the lake, and in the upper basins. As for the Rattlesnakes, we were buzzed by 4 giants, who shared the Kibbie Ridge trail with us. All were between 3 and 4 feet, and the ones pictured below are the 4 footers. We spent some time with each snake, attempting to teach the dogs to avoid them ("Snake! Bearzy-- NO Chasing!"), and also just to admire them. [All Rattlesnake encounters were between 7,000' and 7,700'-- between the Shingle Spring TH, and the small lake above where we dropped down to Many Island Lk.].
Western Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis. (Click to enlarge)
Were these Rattlers set there by the Park to guard against dog incursions? We began our hike at the 6,000' TH above and east of Cherry Lake. The 18 mile trail from Kibbie Ridge, across Styx Pass, to Huck. Lk. includes ~3 miles within YNP, very near the NF boundary, but where our 3 dog friends would be out of bounds. Beyond Styx Pass, we would spend a week in the dog-friendly Emigrant Wilderness. Seemed okay, but "Best laid schemes of mice and men," and all that-- and ours went awry again too. This route to Huck Lk. was actually our "Plan D," after supposed area closures, and high snow levels reported by jtca changed earlier plans A, B, and C. We knew this route up the creek had 4 potentially dangerous crossings of the Cherry Creek/River, but we hoped to avoid them by climbing around, above the left bank. Then, on the trail, we met a solo guy retreating from the 3rd crossing-- the one at 7,450' just west of the big dome-- too dangerous, he thought. So what now? To reach Huck Lk., we could camp outside the Park at the top of Boundary Lake, and then, regrettably, drop back south over the ridge, and after 2 miles, cross back just north of Inferno Lake, and traverse down to meet Cherry Cr. beyond all the crossing points. So that's what we did as alternative "Plan E." After meeting the solo guy, we saw no one for 5 days, so we were alone for 6 of our 8 days. To pay a penance to the Park, we hauled out garbage, including metal cans, balloons, and the heaviest, ancient 12 oz. glass bottle ever made, which went in the bottom of C's pack
. We had great luck, due to Carleton's skill with the birdlife, and may have reached 50 species for the first time ever! We also saw more reptiles and amphibians than ever-- 8 total, and an amazing display of the emergence of adult Dragonflies from their final larval stage. For mammals, the usual rodents were all about, minus the Marmots and Pikas. For all of the fresh Deer and Bear signs, we saw just one lone deer. On the drive out though, we were lucky to see 2 Gray Foxes along the road.
[Re. access: Google Map the directions from Groveland (Hwy 120) to Shingle Spring TH. It's a great paved road till the last couple miles, and then it's a good 2WD dirt and gravel road. There are several bear boxes for excess food items at the trailhead.]
View back down on Cherry Lake, elevation 4,659.'
We arrived late, and hiked in a couple miles.
This map shows our route in, with the red line, and back out with purple, and our day hikes are the green lines. [The map can be expanded by clicking on it twice.]
Snow plants, Sarcodes sanguinea, are now termed "mycotrophs" for gaining their nutrition from mycorrhizal fungi associated with conifers, so they are an indirect parasite of conifers. (USFS) https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant ... inea.shtml.
Corn lilies were emerging, and these "Forget-me-nots" were in full bloom.
Sierra stickseed, Hackelia nervosa.
The trail on Kibbie Ridge passes through burned, but still beautiful open forest.... with Rattlesnakes in it!
I would love to hold these snakes to feel their strength, but not their venom. Backpacking trips are not the best place to try this. We gently handle many other creatures, including fish, why not venomous snakes-- a creature that can harm us back?
Liane is loving all the lakes and granite!
