Lunch with Llamas
An excellent hike today up near the Pilot Hill area off of Salmon Falls Rd and Hwy 49 at Cronan Ranch. My kids and I hiked with the American River Conservancy group and some folks from Vacaville with Llamas. Overall, a pretty easy hike about 2-3 miles to the South Fork of the American. Water is still flowing and a few ripples. Even deep enough for a lone Kayaker today. The kids were able to lead the llamas round. Ended the hike with a view of parasailors floating off of a nearby hill.

Palisade Creek Lost
I finally got a chance to do a more difficult trail sans kids. I had this idea that I would take advantage of a neat trail I had heard and read about. I was all excited to finally get down the the Upper North Fork and explore some of the river bed in this area and witnessing some spectacular scenery.My expectations were suddenly devastated after I lost sight of the Palisade Creek Trail that comes off the right side of a granite face. I searched all over along the creek that the trail is supposed to run down, however, I never found it. I also ended up more East than I intended when I went searching for it, so about an hour of my 4 hr hike

Compost Bin ca. 2009
My new compost bin is finally completed. It took me several weekends to complete since I deviated from my project to go hiking in the various places mentioned below. The plans came from a Lowe's site that I found in a Google search. Pretty sturdy. I did not put in a wooden bottom as per the plans, but left it open. I did put in the middle support, though. The top sides and middle are open to the elements to allow moisture and air circulate and keep the critters out. They are made from 1/4" x 36" roll of "hard ware cloth." It will likely be found in t

Iowa Hill Ditch to Tadpole Creek
View Iowa Hills Ditch/Tadpole Creek in a larger mapWe made it a bit further than last time. At least we made it to Tadpole Creek. The hike to this point was extraordinary, me being with my kids and all. Some parts of this section of trail (~2 mi to Tadpole Creek) have several washed out spots that are too narrow to cross and force one to bushwhack up and down hills. Luckily, a fire came through here in 2008, which made it much

Iowa Hill Ditch (short)
I spent more time driving here than hiking (again). With my 7yr old in tow we set off for another adventure in the North Fork. This time I was hoping for an "easy" trail that we could stroll along for a couple of miles or so. The hike didn't last long due to a washed out area that I didn't really want to take my daughter on in the middle of nowhere and the fact we passed some squatter at the trail head in his beat up trailer and truck. I will definitely come back here, since the ditch is noticeable in many places and covers several miles to the east and west of Beacroft trail head.Fire ripped through here in 2008 as one can see from the photos.