My Hikes 2021

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sekihiker
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Re: My Hikes 2021

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giantbrookie wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:05 pm I did two trips in Woodchuck Country which at least partly overlapped with the elevation range, exposure, and geology of where you hiked so I'd guess that I may have walked by it.
I'll bet you have, John. Here is an observation just west of the shore of Woodchuck Lake. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3693551
You have probably thrown a few spinners into the lake from very near here.
giantbrookie wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:05 pm From a scientist/scholar's standpoint one of the perks of age is that one's pattern recognition library continues to grow with time.
I find this particularly true with flowers. Some species pop into view out of the corner of my eye, in particular; Lewisia leeana and its cousin L. triphylla, Ivesia santolinoides aka Sierra mousetail, Brewer's Miterwort (Mitella breweri), and Pine Fritillary (Fritillaria pinetorum).
giantbrookie wrote: Tue Sep 07, 2021 10:05 pm Btw, I was notified about your edit and reply on the old "tough hikes" thread which is a testimony to the extreme hikes you were doing 20 years ago (3-day Grouse-Kid-Glacier-Volcanic Lakes trip). Whew. No way I would have even considered trying such a hike in my mid 50s (your age when you did the trip and my age as of the time of that post) let alone now.
Based on some of the hikes you have done recently, I wouldn't be surprised if you could do that hike right now. There was only one difficult stretch - Volcanic Lakes to Granite Lakes - and you would really enjoy the route finding over that ridge.

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giantbrookie
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Re: My Hikes 2021

Post by giantbrookie »

Neat info about the Klamaths, Woodchuck and I agree totally with the wildflower perception thing, too. I will certainly pay more attention when I'm hiking in Woodchuck Country since it is an area I plan to visit regularly (annually?) in the future.
sekihiker wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:22 am Based on some of the hikes you have done recently, I wouldn't be surprised if you could do that hike right now. There was only one difficult stretch - Volcanic Lakes to Granite Lakes - and you would really enjoy the route finding over that ridge.
It isn't the rough off trail stuff that leaves me breathless looking at that route, it is the ~7+ elevation gain to the gap near Munger Pk on day 1. I haven't gone above 5k gain in a day with a full pack since I was in my early 30s and I didn't think I performed all that well on 3k+ gain days with a full pack in the last three or four years. I do plan to test this elevation gain fitness thing, however, next year in the Taboose region .
Since my fishing (etc.) website is still down, you can be distracted by geology stuff at: http://www.fresnostate.edu/csm/ees/facu ... ayshi.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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sekihiker
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Re: My Hikes 2021

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giantbrookie wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:16 pm It isn't the rough off trail stuff that leaves me breathless looking at that route, it is the ~7+ elevation gain to the gap near Munger Pk on day 1.
That has always been the problem with the Copper Creek Trail. Almost everyone complains about that elevation gain. I guess it's more like using an east side trail head, not that I've ever used one.
I think stopping at Grouse Lake wouldn't make that much of a difference. I think when I planned the trip, Grouse Lake was going to be my first night's stop. I just felt like there was more in the tank after dinner at Grouse Lake.
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Re: My Hikes 2021

Post by CAMERONM »

Glad to see that you are engaged in this project and are able to get out.
I sure wish that I knew more about sierra vegetation, and in particular edibles.
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Re: My Hikes 2021

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CAMERONM wrote: Sun Sep 12, 2021 6:42 pm I sure wish that I knew more about sierra vegetation, and in particular edibles.
Here are a few things I eat:
thimbleberries - similar in looks and flavor to raspberries, often next to trails
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15367929 [berries in photo are not quite ripe]

swamp onions - good in cooking, pick younger plants, found next to streams, lakes, and other wet areas
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/14921865

alpine sorrel - sour leaves are good source of vitamin C, found among rocks at higher elevations
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90323282

mountain pennyroyal aka mountain coyote mint- fragrant member of the mint family, often noticed when stepped on and wonderful fragrance is released, boil the leaves for an excellent tea
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/32612975

Flowers become easier to ID if you take a lot of photos then post them to a site like: http://iNaturalist.org
You do have to become a member to post but it is free.
Once you have set up your site, it's easy to post an observation.
Click the upload button at the top of the page which takes you to a new page where you can drag and drop a photo from your files. Click the word species below your photo and a number of suggested ID's are shown. Choose what seems to best match your photo.
If you use a modern camera, even a small point and shoot, or your phone, location and time will be automatically be posted with the photo.
The ID feature works with all life forms. I just dragged and dropped a photo of a common merganser [duck] and it made a perfect ID.
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