Salmon Mountain - Orleans, CA

I took advantage of another warm dry northern California November day and did a quick easy hike up Salmon Mountain. Nothing too interesting to report--pictures are below:

Random Pictures: 2017 and 2018

2019 Klamath River TREX - Orleans, CA

I provided on-site meteorology support to the 2019 Klamath River TREX from October 10th through October 14th. I worked from the incident command post, providing daily spot weather forecasts and briefings for a multitude of burn sites located up and down the Klamath River from Orleans to Happy Camp. The hundred or so fire fighters, volunteers and ICS staff-members were outstanding, truly experts in wildland fire management, and extremely all-around friendly people. They even gave me an opportunity to observe a burn located up on a mountain slope above Orleans.

Besides the operational experience, I also got to experience a bit of the local wilderness while camping at the Oak Bottom Campground. I kept a fire raging all night long due to reports of not one but two mountain lions roaming/hunting the land surrounding the campground. I never saw a lion, which I suppose is a good thing--though I would have been exhilarated to see a pair of yellow glowing eyes glaring at me from a distance. Nevertheless, the Klamath River in that part of Humboldt County is truly amazing...one of the great and most-beautiful river gorges of California, if not America.

All in all I'd say this TREX operation, and my experience in particular, was a huge success and I hope I can participate again next year.

Marble Mountains - September Snow

Tamara Lopez and myself hiked to the Sky High Lakes in the Marble Mountains during late September. I was getting over a strained calf muscle in my left leg so the going was slow. Nevertheless I dragged myself uphill for 6.5 miles. Near 5000 feet above sea level, cold showery rain changed somewhat unexpectedly to snow, and before we knew it, we were hiking across an inch of fresh wet flakes. Our shoes soaked through in no time, and our clothing choices for this hike were not optimal for early winter weather...it was a cold wet miserable hike, but despite the weather, we were thrilled to hike in the first snow of the season, and the mountain scenery was pretty fantastic. We reached the Sky High Lakes after 4 hours of hiking...drank a celebratory beer, and then headed back toward the trailhead.

Originally Tamara and I planned to hike with Tamara's friends from Crescent City...but they took off late from their home, so Tamara and I started the hike without them. We assumed they might have changed their plans and cancelled the hike...however, as we were hiking back down toward my truck we encountered them...we all chatted a bit, wished them good luck camping up in the alpine zone, and then hobbled our way back down.

After reaching my truck, we made a quick drive to Etna for dinner at the Etna Brewing Company...I definitely recommend this place if you are passing through the area...great food, good beer and spirits, and excellent atmosphere.