June 6 OK, this is a pretty casual way to start a backpacking trip. No early morning alarm. A cup of coffee in the garden with my wife, Darlene, watching the sun rise. A big, leisurely breakfast. If I were… Continue Reading
The dead of winter is a great time to organize one’s notes and photographs, and rummage through memories of last year’s adventures. This is the tale of a solo trip to a seldom-visited string of lakes in the Trinity Alps.… Continue Reading
In 1912, work on the Empire Hotel began. By 1918, it was completed. We were young and beautiful, and built like a brick townhouse. We were the prettiest thing on the street. Alas, the northern part of Californa Street was… Continue Reading
6/30/2017 Eight-thirty on a Friday morning, and the trailhead parking lot is almost full! Canyon Creek Lakes are among the most popular destinations in the Trinity Alps, maybe the most popular. Neither friend Chris nor I have ever seen Canyon… Continue Reading
“Jeff, we’re leaving Redding. Yeah, we’ll meet you at the burned-out store. About and hour and a half, I guess.” My friend, Chris Ingersoll, has just called his brother in Hayfork. He will meet us in Wildwood. It’s June 10, and… Continue Reading
It is the end of July, 2011, and for some reason I have decided to hike to the top of Granite Peak. Early-onset dementia, perhaps. Granite Peak is in the southeast corner of the Trinity Alps. It is 8,091 feet… Continue Reading
People keep saying it is going to be late in the season before hikers can get into the high country this year. Too much snow. Not being the type to take other folks’ speculations as truth, I decided to see… Continue Reading
Most readers will have heard of the mythical State of Jefferson, dreamed up by rural folk who wish they were represented in their state legislatures. It is a myth; a harmless fantasy. More fantastic by far, though, is the giant State… Continue Reading
Recently I received an e-mail from a little girl who said, “I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Jefferson State. Mama says, ‘If you see it in A News Café, it’s so.’ Please tell me… Continue Reading
Recently I’ve read in three places that California is still suffering from drought. The Los Angeles Times, the U.S. Drought Monitor and the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno all gave their assurance that this is true. In spite of… Continue Reading
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