LAKE NATOMA LOOP 9X March 23, 2006

Previously planning to take a short road trip down U.S. 395 to enjoy the snow, and ski maybe a peak or two, then camp about Death Valley National Park, I opted to stay home, and spare the car. I did some 15 miles the day before, mostly on the bike trail. You can get good exercise without climbing peaks all the time, and even though I have walked these local trails so many times, I enjoy my repeat hikes.

The forecasts said the skies would be nice about Bishop and Death Valley. Maybe good for photography. I may still go down to do this, but the highs for Death Valley will soon surpass the low 90's. It may be too risky to ski even an easy peak, solo, with avy conditions said to be moderate, the days before.

After a city walk in the morning, I left downtown on light rail. I started my 9X loop walk at 12:15 p.m. No time for eats or drink. I wore a parka for a breeze, for a bit, then shed it to put it in my pack. The sky was white, and I did the cone shaped hill to see the snowy, distant, Sierra peaks.

Photography would be more difficult, today, but some blue sky peeked out. The wildflowers hadn't bloomed out, much more, with just a few more poppies. There is a big cluster of them next to Nimbus Dam.

Witnessing snowy Pyramid Peak in the distance, over the dam, I ambled over the Hazel Avenue bridge. Would I ever get to ski this local peak, ever again? I still hope for finding a good partner, someday, by the Internet.

A few boaters were on the lake, and I leisurely sauntered on the sandy side trails, taking my time. Almost all of the trails were dry, with a few, easily avoided puddles. Further along, a tree had fallen across the sandy side trail. I went around it, back by the paved trail, then awaited my return to the light rail station.

Getting there at 4:12 p.m., I went over to the new, nearby deli for a soda (1). I sipped it quickly, and then the train came by a bit early. I could see there'd be no great sunset, so made my early return home.

Doing my 11 miles, I shot some 60 images, today. I had on two light layers most of the time, and many gnats had clung to my long pants. I had to check to see if any of the tiny insects were ticks. None were.

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