Eldorado National Forest
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Dutch Creek Falls Eldorado National Forest |
April 12, 2022
Today's walk begins in a most unusual location — the site of the beginning
of the 49er Gold Rush. This entire town of Coloma being essentially a state park,
little to no roadside parking is available; so we pay the ten-dollar fee at
the provided facility, and Cindy and Eileen and I head out.
The first order of business is to find the trailhead, which involves crossing the American River and heading up a side road.
There barely is room for both cars and pedestrians
That looks like a rescue squad preparing for some exercises
The signpost says "Unmaintained trail. Use at your own risk"
The route is delightfully green
No one is interested in the horrid route up Murphy Mountain, 1930'
This is more our speed
As the canyon walls close in, the trail becomes a bit rough, requiring careful
footing and some scrambling for much of the way. As we approach the destination,
the final pitch down into the ravine is quite steep; but a 50-foot length of
knotted rope is there to assist us — and it does.
First view of Dutch Creek Falls
Two women are here ahead of us. Their state of partial undress suggests that they have been frolicking in the water a bit.
A Canadian Goose is hanging out at the top of the falls
This place could become spectacular with greater flow
The two youngsters depart
A stop-motion shot provides an interesting effect
Cindy inqures about whether I have seen any poison oak. In fact, it is all around us, including a sprig right beside Eileen's pack. Avoiding it is easy enough today, though.
The goose still hasn't moved
Lunch is finished; it's time to head back.
Not as easy as it might appear
Now that the hard part is done, my camera can concentrate on the local flora.
Fairy Lantern
Twining Snakelily
There are enough photographic delays that I never am able to catch up with my companions, who seem to be on a mission of their own.
Now I see them; now I don't
Ithuriel's Spear
Prettyface
They are even farther away now. It must be time for more pictures
Spring Vetch
White Owl's Clover
I finally catch up right at the end of the trail
More roadside attractions await me, however.
Douglas Iris
Holly
This winery's plants don't seem to be doing well
It must be Spring Break
This is where the gold was discovered:
South Fork American River, looking south
Looking downstream to the north
End of the line
§: Well, today we took our walking sticks, and that was a good thing.
The little trail was rather more challenging than many. Why I ended up with a
blister on my left sole, however, is unknown.
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