It Snowed in Three Rivers

Of course it snowed in Mineral King too. You can see 2 Mineral King valley views on webcams here.

We might get snow about once a year in Three Rivers. It doesn’t stick, but it is beautiful while it is here. This was on Saturday, December 7. I was too busy to show you then. (The Stocking Stuffer Boutique went well – thank you for asking.)

My studios in snow

Trail Guy and I had to go for a walk and see how everything looked.

Looking downstream at the Kaweah River toward Comb Rocks

Looking upstream at the Kaweah River, toward the mountains (We say “the mountains” around here when referring to the Sierra Nevada.)

I like this view of the Kaweah River so much I painted it once. Wanna see? Here. (Yikes! I can’t remember if it sold or not!)

This tree would be a perfect subject for photography if it wasn’t for that chain-link fence in the background. A former neighbor once said to me, “Chain-link fences are the vernacular of Farmersville.” (That is a smallish town here in Tulare County.)

Snow, see?  It wasn’t on the other photo because it melted. (Captain Obvious here)

Hard to believe this scene is the May page of my calendar. I love seasonal variety.

Here comes the sun means there goes the snow. (Captain Obvious again)

Now instead of just looking toward the mountains, we are looking into the sunshine. (Okay, Captain, we get it!)

Manzanita might be the most beautiful wood in the world. It certainly is in the world of Three Rivers.

My studios, melting in the sunshine. No, they aren’t melting, the snow is. I know that!

Sawtooth on a Notecard

Anyone out there still hand write cards? Send thank you cards? Send a card just because you ran into an old friend and wanted to tell her on paper in a lasting way how happy you were to see her?

This is one of the best paintings I’ve done in my shortish painting career.  (That’s just my opinion; feel free to disagree!) Now it is available as a little package of note cards. They are 4-1/4 x 5-1/2, so you don’t have to write very much. 😎 The package comes with 4 cards and 4 blank envelopes for $8 + tax.  You can find them by clicking this word:  Sawtooth.

Sawtooth is a prominent landmark mountain in Mineral King, visible from Visalia. I have an up-close and personal history with the peak. It happened on July 22, 1976 and it involved a helicopter. Who knew that one day I’d be painting the place??

My very wise dad used to say (until we were rolling our eyes) “Life’s full of surprises.”

He was right.

Mineral King in Monotones

This is how Mineral King looked on Thanksgiving Day.

Not much water, not much snow, not much color

Not much snow, not much sun, not much color.

Ditto to the above comments. This is looking down from the junction of the Timber Gap/Monarch Lake trail.

Sawtooth, minus much snow, as seen from the Timber Gap trail.

Crystal Creek, not much water, no snow, not much color.

Heading back from Crystal Creek, not much happening visually.

Hey! Sunshine!

Please, God, send some rain and snow.

Closing Weekend in Mineral King

There is beauty in the shoulder seasons in Mineral King. There is beauty in all seasons in Mineral King. In spite of that, it is a summer place to me. I feel sad when we close the cabin, when I am no longer there half of every week and not hiking, knitting and reading guilt free, and not turning on the computer but cooking on a wood stove.

On the other hand, it is hard to live in two places. (Now that’s an embarrassing statement – sounds like “It is so difficult to manage a household staff” or “Stupid Rolls got another flat tire” or “My latest hair extensions weren’t quite the right color”.)

We usually spend the final weekend at the cabin chasing the sun. This year was no exception. I’ll let the pictures speak for the rest of this post.

Remarkable Event on the Mineral King Road in September

On Labor Day, there was a car fire on the Mineral King Road. I didn’t write about it then because there were hikes that were more interesting.

We were on our way down the hill when a car coming up stopped us to say there was a fire down the road. The driver said 3-4 miles, but it was 7-8 miles down. When we saw the smoke ahead, we stopped in the shade of an oak tree about a quarter mile above the excitement.

There was a very long line of cars, some with people sitting inside, but most were empty.

We walked down to see what was around the corner. Something about a helicopter is so fascinating. Add a bucket of water and a fire, and you’ve got a happening event!

This was only part of the crowd. We knew lots of people and had all sorts of mini reunions as we watched the action.

When the water was released, we got a bit of spray and a few drops. It was hot out, but not unbearable and the water felt good.

It was caused by something electrical. Bummer.

Isn’t that cool? After the car was no longer in flames, most of the water drops went onto the surrounding area, soaking it in case of errant sparks or embers.

Here is what I found truly remarkable and wonderful:

1. No one got surly about waiting.

2. Everyone was friendly.

3. The help came in time to prevent a horrible wildfire, in spite of no cell phone service.

What an organized place we are privileged to live in! All those skilled and trained and competent professionals and volunteers with fabulous equipment that works, sitting ready for such an unfortunate event. I felt proud to be an American, thankful to live in a place that can handle potential emergencies without incident.

Mineral King is Closed

Hmmm, this is all so weird. I will refrain from sharing my opinion about the government shut down, because people come to this blog to be entertained and inspired. Discussing a difficult and divisive subject could possibly be entertaining, but I doubt if it would be inspiring.

Have a look at a painting of a familiar, comforting scene in Mineral King. Feel inspired. Feel entertained. Don’t worry, be happy!

Mineral King Autumn, 8×8″, oil on wrapped canvas, $95, sold


Hiking to Monarch Lake in Mineral King

In early September, I had the pleasure of a weekend at the cabin with two dear friends. They requested a hike to a lake. Eagle is steep, Mosquito didn’t call to me, one friend has been to Franklin twice, Crystal is really difficult, and Monarch is far but has a well-graded trail. It was ten miles round trip, and a good time was had by all.

This guy knows he is safe on the west side of Farewell Gap this time of year.

Hmmm, maybe we should have gone to White Chief – look how the sun is shining over there.

It is always reassuring to come to this sign, which is not telling us that Crystal Lake is a DIFFICULT 1.4 miles compared to the 1.2 relatively easy miles to Monarch.

Are these trees considered “monarchs”? Is that how the lake got its moniker? (couldn’t help myself – monarch and moniker obviously go together)

Some folks were swimming. I hate immersing myself in cold water – hate it!

A weird view of Sawtooth – too close to see its true shape.

I love these women dearly.

They look chummy and palsy here, but I think they might be propping one another up!

Mineral King is a Happening Place

Mineral King is a happening place in the summer, especially in August, and most especially on weekends.

The Mineral King Preservation Society has two annual events. One was called the “hoe-down”, and was a square dance. It developed into a concert with stories of MK history, and it came with dinner.

Have a look:

Okay, dinner wasn’t a big deal – just sandwiches, fruit and cookies. No one complained, and nothing was left over.

Keith and Esther call themselves “Mankin Creek” and they are FANTASTIC musicians.

Hi Mary – glad you were having such a good time!

Can’t remember these peoples’ names, but they have been camping in MK for years and years.

Hi Jenna! Nice family portrait!

And then the moon rose. It was a wonderful August evening. Maybe you’d like to come next year!

Mineral King Rocks

Some people collect rocks. Some people learn about them, join clubs, polish them, and make jewelry. Some people notice shapes, some notice textures, others notice patterns, and I notice colors and sparkles. Here is a collection of photos of many rocks found through the years in Mineral King. They are all Leverites – “leave ‘er right where you found her”.

These were all found on the way to Soda Springs by people who notice shapes.

Galina, the stuff the Mineral King miners got excited about.

Shape, color, patterns all appear in this one rock.

The color is turquoise but the rock is not (and I’m not telling where!)

Anything white, sparkly and sort of crystalish gets called “quartz” by me. I don’t know the difference between quartz and mica.

Multi-colored and sparkly – got my attention! This is part of some mine tailings in White Chief.

This obsidian was found on Empire and must have been traded with other Indians from the east side of the Sierra for the making of arrowheads.

Oh yes, we heart Mineral King. It rocks.

A Secret Mineral King Hike in Photos

I don’t want to tell the world where this hike is because I want it to stay trail-less. So, I’ll show you photos. If you know where it is and you choose to comment, don’t write the name, okay? Thanks!

 I hiked the first 5 miles wearing my old Tevas. Isn’t that amazing? I recently discovered that I probably have Plantar Fasciosis instead of Fasciitis, and wearing Tevas sort of proved it to me. (You can learn about it here.)

That is an Explorer’s Gentian gone mad – usually they have 5 petals.

Time to switch to hiking boots, leave the trail and begin the upness.

Looking back.

Are you tired of your trails going up and up and up? Leave the trail and find out what up and up and up really feels like!

And up some more.

Very uppity place.

Can we stop now? I want to savor this place.

No really, can we just sit here for about an hour?

A BRAND NEW-TO-ME FLOWER!! Anyone know what this is??

No, really, can we stay here?

Nope. Miles to go before we sleep.

Hey! Stonehenge!

Okay, we are finally leaving the Uppalachians and heading home.

More of my favorite late summer wildflower, this time with the proper number of petals.

Wait for me! I have to change back into my Tevas! Thirteen miles total (thank you, Cowboy Bert, for the loan of that very nifty Garmin device which told us that our highest point was 10,800′) and 8 of them hiked in old Tevas that I bought used on eBay in 2007. Incomprehensible, but I think my foot is finally on its way to healing!