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Mineral King Road at the end of January

The end of January had some very clear days with temperatures in the 60s. We took advantage of this to check out the Mineral King Road, just as far as where the snow might become a driving problem. There was no agenda, just some friends hanging out, stopping when and where something struck our fancy.

We walked some too.
We were curious to see if there was water in the flume.
The boards on top were very slick, and we heeded this warning.
Despite recent roadwork, all drainage troubles aren’t solved.
Our guys did what they could.
Weird sausages made from straw keep the road from sloughing off down the canyon.
There was a deep hole here all summer, just below Slap Jack but now this dirt pile (in the foreground) has filled it up.
This was a CCC camp.
Trail Guy found remains of their outhouse.
Some cabin neighbors used to refer to these redwoods as Aunt Tillie and Uncle Pete. We call them “Redwood”, as if there is just one, but it is short for Redwood Creek.

We turned around at Atwell Mill, not wanting to deal with the snow.

Just above Lookout, we saw something we’ve never seen on the Mineral King Road before.

Those are rock climbers!!

Such a clear beautiful day, and we hope it is the last chance to drive up for while because there will be too much snow soon. (But not so much that the road falls apart again this year.)

7 Comments

  1. My grandfather and I stopped along the road when I was very young and scrambled up the hill to watch the water go down the flume (before there was a cover and it was still made from redwood). I dropped a small rock to watch and listen as it rattled down the flume, and my grandfather became annoyed that I would do such a thing. As far as I know, there is still electrical service in Three Rivers so I don’t think it did any damage to the hydroelectric system.

    I’ve never seen any CCC camps, but it makes sense that they would establish one while they worked on the road. I was going to make a joke about that outhouse being half- um, never mind.

    Those two redwood trees are called The Twins. That’s the only name I’ve heard for them.

    I hope those rock climbers checked in with the NPS for the proper permits! Isn’t this location above the Lookout Point gate? Oh yeah, that gate was compromised by . . . aforementioned rock climbers, perchance?

    • Sharon, you are right in that we still have power in 3R, but I’m uncertain if any is generated at the local plants from the flumes any more. Edison wants to sell those.

      Yeah, yeah, that outhouse seat. . . thank you for your restraint.

      “The Twins” is new to me.

      I think at least one of the climbers is a Park employee. The locks have been replaced once again on the lower gate, thanks to Michael, of course.

      • Ah, the perks of being a Park employee, I guess. They get to engage in activities that the plebeians cannot.

        And thanks to Trail Guy to securing the gate. Again. And probably not for the last time. Dumb scofflaws!

  2. Those “sausages” are called “waddles”. Which is just as weird!

    Jim

    • Jim, that is so weird. Thank you for an item to add to my February Learned List!

  3. John wishes to receive your cabin art newsletter.

    • Got it, Wendy—thanks! (I deleted his email address on your comment because this is the World Wide Web.)

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