Plumas NF
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Bald Rock Canyon Plumas NF |
April 17, 2013
Having not visited here previously, and looking for a more challenging hike to assess my current condition, this one should fit the bill. I am not surprised that no one else is around this early in the morning.
The three-mile dirt road to the trailhead was decently graded, pleasant going. The temperature is in the low forties and the wind is blowing; so I bundle up, realizing that doing so might prove to be overkill.
Bald Rock Dome
There has been a fire here
Within minutes I encounter a pile of fallen trees on the trail. I guess
the maintenance crews haven't yet gotten around to spring house-cleaning.
The trail is soft and easy on the feet; numerous switchbacks provide a moderate gradient. There is no wind in the canyon, so already I am feeling overdressed. I really should ditch my sweatshirt and windbreaker somewhere, but for some reason I keep them on.
The only running water on today's trail
The predominant flower on the upper trail is the western wallflower; a butterfly is enjoying one of them as I pass by.
Pipevine Swallowtail
After descending about a thousand feet, I finally get a view of the canyon upstream. Oddly enough, I am but a mile and a half, as the mosquito flits, from the magnificent Feather Falls themselves; but they actually are on a different fork of the river, and I will not get a glimpse of them today.
Heart of the Middle Fork Feather Wild and Scenic River Area
Some metal fencing appears just ahead, followed by a lot more around the corner. We mustn't have visitors sliding down the side of Bald Rock Dome into the river!
Some sections of railing are in fine condition while others are in serious disrepair
Ahead is an actual stairway to assist with the final descent. The wooden steps are largely rotted, and several are broken; therefore, much care is in order here.
Most unusual
Having survived the stairway, quite a bit of trail remains.
The route utilizes an interesting notch in a broken boulder; it is no
more 18-inches wide in places.
A fun passage
Presently I reach the river. Scrambling down the boulders, I find a good spot to imbibe some munchies and finally get rid of my outer garments.
Sitting beside a rushing river always is a nice place to be
There is a waterfall around the corner upstream
Despite having taken more than twenty walks already this year, I seem to be in rather poorer condition that I had thought. My legs have been feeling somewhat rubbery, and it's not just the knees.
Now for the hard part — the steep uphill return.
The friendly notch
The not-so-friendly ladder
This lower third of the route features a lot stone steps and other tricky going; eventually, however, I make it back to the soft slopes and the helpful switchbacks.
Toward the end I find myself resting an unexpected amount. I can't
blame the heat, because the air temperature is only in the low fifties now.
Although the 1,600-foot return took but an hour and a half, I feel
spent. It is only one o'clock as I reach the car, however; so I
did have all day had I needed it.
Phacelia
Indian Pink
§: The trail is badly in need of some maintenance, but I understand that
times are hard and resources are thin. If I had spare funds to donate to the
Forest Service for such projects, I would happily do that.
On your way back down Bald Rock Road, if you have any energy left, then stop and take the short, easy walk up Big Bald Rock; the trailhead is clearly marked by road signs. That area is especially scenic a day or two after a rain, when the dozens of potholes on the solid granite summit are filled with water.
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| Solitude | |
