You’ve been polite while I sell you pencil drawings of Mineral King cabins. Today, let’s rest our eyes and minds with this photo of Mineral King: Trail Guy will be leading a hike up to the Empire Mine area on July 27, 9 a.m. Depending on the state of my plantar fasciitis, I may be […]
A Nice Walk in Mineral King
Just to review: a hike is when you take a pack and food; a walk is just a walk. In addition to the Nature Trail/Wildflower Walk, there is a nice walk to the upper valley to a place we call Soda Springs. It might be 4 miles round trip. Start here. Cross the bridge (unless […]
Another Mineral King Bridge
Back in the fall of 2011, we had ourselves a series about The Mineral King Bridge. You can see it beginning this date. Don’t worry, it will open in another tab or window, and I’ll be waiting right here for you to return. If you follow this blog (and blessings on those of you who […]
Nature Trail aka Wildflower Walk in Mineral King
In Mineral King, you can walk from Cold Springs Campground up to the actual Mineral King valley on a trail, called “the Nature Trail”. That name bugs me. My faithful blog reading and commenting friend (Hi Mel!) suggested “the Wildflower Trail”. I prefer aliteration, and because I never take a pack or food when I […]
Trail Work in Mineral King
Trail Guy and I have a weird hobby. When we hike, we like to improve trails. We toss rocks off, scrape out places for water to drain off the trail, improve water bars and just generally take notes on trails. A favorite walk of mine is the almost 2 miles to the Franklin Creek crossing. […]
Mineral King Road Lore
On the Mineral King Road there are 4 water troughs. Some years I think I will memorize the elevations and mileage markers. More realistically, I can remember their names and order of appearance. This one is called Trauger’s, after Mr. and Mary Trauger (what was her hubby’s name? She was the one everyone talks about!) […]
Official Opening Weekend in Mineral King
Memorial Day is the traditional opening weekend in Mineral King. Sometimes it snows. It can be downright beautiful, or it can be stinkin’ cold. Some years there has been too much snow to open until June. Not so in 2013. It is tee shirt season, and Trail Guy has the Mineral King tees at […]
Opening Duties in Mineral King
The Mineral King Preservation Society maintains a mini-museum inside the Honeymoon Cabin. Trail Guy and The Captain (frequently referred to in this blog) are both board members of the MKPS. Cowboy Bert and I help, because we are married to these board members. Honeymoon Cabin, pencil drawing, $300, 11×14 framed, for sale here What are […]
Mineral King Time Already – Early Early Early
It has been a dry winter. Trail Guy has been hiking this week. Wow. This is early early early. This is our friend and neighbor Keith. He is eating an orange on the bridge on April 26, 2013. There doesn’t appear to be any snow. Early early early. The Park is officially opening the gate […]
Not Much Snow in March in Mineral King
Not much snow on Sawtooth. Not much snow in the valley looking toward Farewell Gap. No snow on the south-facing slopes; not much snow on the north facing slope on the Sawtooth trail. Not much snow for March.