January 7-8

The trailhead

BACKPACKING!  This winter is being bizarre and warm and dry, so we decided to take advantage and get outdoors for an overnight hike.  Shyla had never been before, and I hadn't been in quite some time, so this was an exciting new experience for us together.  After going over a few spots, we ended up with the Thomes Gorge in-and-back trail.  Not too long, about 5.5 miles each way from start to finish.  The topo map from the Chico Hiking Association indicated that there was a good spot to set up camp right at the end of the trail next to Thomes Creek, so off we went!  Not too far really, about an hour and fifteen minutes from Chico, just about due west, just up into the coast ranges on the other side of the valley, and just barely into the Mendocino National Forest.  The hike started at a pullout at about 2010' in elevation, and the entirety goes through an uncommon region of Northern California chaparral, very pretty, with lots of manzanita, some laurel, a few oaks and pines, and a host of other shrubberies.

Burned trees amidst live shrubs

Adding to the already beautiful and different scenery was the fact that there was evidence of recent fires everywhere.I would say that most of the trees we saw near the trail were dead from being burned, but plant life was exploding everywhere - surprising to me, seeing as how it's January and we haven't had any rain to speak of.  In addition to plants thriving, the trail crossed two creeks that were still flowing with plenty of water, Bennett Creek and Bowers Creek.  According to the topo map there were two vernal pools and one lake on the trail as well.  Unfortunately, both the pools were dried up, with nothing more than large mats of dried up aquatic grasses to indicate where they had been.  The lake however, Dead Rabbit Lake, was only mostly dried up.  There was still a bit of a fetid pool lingering on, although it was really not much more than a glorified mud puddle at this point.  Looks like it'd be a cool lake when full; there was a small stand of oaks and other shrubs forming what would have been a

Dead Rabbit Lake

small island in the middle.  Past the lake was the beginning of the last segment of trail: about one mile of downhill, making your way down a ridge to the bottom of Thomes Gorge.  I'm definitely not in as good of shape as I could be, and despite my best efforts I wasn't able to get my pack below 38 pounds (I'll do better next time for sure), so by the time we got to the bottom my legs were a little shaky.  At the bottom we were pleasantly surprised to find fire rings set up in three different areas, we chose the lowest spot, closest to the creek.  Had there been any sign of precipitation, I would have opted for one of the higher spots, as I was told that this gorge drains very heavily during rain.  But, the weather service and the clouds said no rain, so there we camped, on a nice bed of sand leftover from the creek from years gone by.  The creek itself was probably about 5 feet below us, but we could hear it all night long.  There was some wind, though the gorge was relatively protected due to its shape.  Interestingly enough, the wind working through some parts of the gorge sounded at times more like the creek was surging - like it was rushing at greater volume, both of water and sound.  The main feature of the hike, so to speak, was the rock formation that formed one side of the narrowest part of the gorge, some 50 yards or so from camp.  This mini-mountain of sorts jutted up over 500 feet more or less straight up, towering over us, looming, always at the edge of your perception.  Powerful geology.  We were surprised to be treated to a moonrise after dark, the moon full and gradually peaking over one of the edges of this giant rock, now just a beam shining over the

The giant rock

 edge, now a sliver of light cresting, now a full blown celestial flashlight lighting our camp and surroundings for us.  We made a fire from the plentiful dead wood, cooked some dinner on the little backpacking stove, had some delicious canned IPA, and got ready to turn in.  At this point we were visited by the tiniest mouse ever, which was a good reminder to stow our food before sleep.  Strangely enough I didn't sleep well.  I was plenty warm, tired for sure, and the creek was doing its damndest to lull me to sleep, but I tossed and turned most of the night.  After the moon set and before sunrise I finally slept for several hours I think, and woke up feeling fine.  Did the dishes from last night, checked out the food situation (the mouse had managed to get at a small bit of the bag, and managed to chew through and into the trail mix bag.  Ah well!), and whipped up some breakfast, i.e., instant oatmeal and string cheese!  We took in this small valley or gorge again, marveling at the geology of the thing, broke camp, and hit the trail!  That mile of downhill turned into a mile of uphill, with an elevation change of about 650 feet. Not a bad way to kick it into high gear right off the bat!  We actually came across and chatted with some day hikers on the way back, an older group who definitely had way more experience than we did, but who were very friendly.  The hike on the second day was I think easier than the first, I feel like overall the muscles complained less (other than the initial ascent, naturally).  We made it back to the truck in about three hours exactly, loaded up, and made our way home.
It was a great experience.  One of the most incredible things witnessed were moments of complete silence.  I had to stop and listen to it several times... As I write this on the 10th, my legs are still a bit sore, but I can't wait to get out there and do it again.  More photos at my Flickr page, and also on Facebook.