With the temperatures in the high 70s the sun was shining on the Sierras for our holiday to Arnold, California - "Gateway to the Big Trees". "Gateways" are often something to be avoided, or at least just passed thru on your way to somewhere better, but the little known travel destination of Calaveras County was gloriously quiet, and thoroughly enjoyable.
We fished on White Pines Lake with Goey thankfully snagging two little Blue Gills (kissed and released). Lots of fish jumping but none willing to take our bait, not for lack of trying - we got to know the folks at the local tackle store very well!
The scenic Hwy 4 Ebbetts Pass winds up to Lake Alpine at 6000ft. The road passes through Stanislaus National Forest - founded in 1897 and is one of the oldest National Forests in the US. The beautiful lake had recently thawed yet the boys still swam. We even saw snow patches around the shore as we motored our little dinghy around the rocky islands.
Wildlife was scarce - apparently due to the snow pushing the deer down the valley and locals didn't expect them in their parts until August along with the coyotes and raccoon. We were lucky though to be visited by several Stellars Jays, a few Woodpeckers and spotted a couple of Pine Martens. It was a little disconcerting however to arrive and find the cabin's trash can mangled with bear teeth marks!! One animal I actually didn't wish to see. The boys toasted "s'mores" over the open fire and "camped out" in the safety of the cabin!
We adventured underground to Moaning Cavern - emitting an eerie sound that inspired the local Miwok Indian tribe's legend of Yayali, a cave dwelling rock monster. Its huge vertical chamber apparently was large enough to hold the Statue of Liberty! We hot-footed it back up the 200 odd spiral stairs when advised we were standing alongside the "impending wall of doom" - a huge rock face that could crush us if there was an earth tremor... nice. Safely above ground, the boys panned for gold and gems and amassed some serious treasures. It was real gold rush territory, with several small working gold mines still operating in the area. Lots of cute small towns, like Angels Camp, Murphys and our own Arnold. Loved the fonts on all the signage - so American.
Calaveras Tall Trees State Park, with its groves of giant Sequoia trees was amazing, especially when you know it began growing in the Mesozoic Era - you could just imagine a T-Rex stalking through the forest! Freaked the boys out a little...!
