Wilderness

Leave it to a Gardnerville math professor and his 9-year-old son to track down a car in the wilderness within 16 hours of seeing it on a TV commercial.

If you’re someone like me, summer’s sweltering heat is not much fun.

I am an outdoors person who dearly loves the cold, frost, ice and snow of winter, and I absolutely and totally wilt at this time of the year.

I am miserable and grouchy during these hot weather months.

I hate the weather anytime it gets past 80-85 degrees. So, when it gets hot, I either hide in the tree shade in our backyard, stay indoors where it is delightfully air conditioned or go high in the Great Outdoors to avoid the miserable heat, especially in the month of August.

Last week, I wrote about the large snow drifts and huge snow fields that Elaine and I encountered on our hike toward Winnemucca Lake from the top of Kit Carson Pass on California S.R. 88.

Our purpose for the hike was three-fold: To walk on snow (which we did), to photograph some wildflowers (which we did) and to fish for Brook and Kamloop trout at Winnemucca Lake (which we did not, due to too much snow and too much wind).

This week, I am suggesting that you take the time to hike on that same Winnemucca Lake Trail to admire and photograph the wildflowers.

Here’s how to do so:

With our summer temperatures currently in the 90-100 degree range around Carson City, it is unbearably hot for this poor, sweltering soul.
I am a winter person, not a summer person, and do not like hot weather!
Thank goodness for those of us who live in this part of the United States, we can temporarily escape that miserable summer heat by finding coolness at the higher elevations of our nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Last Wednesday morning (July 20), Elaine and I did just that.

We traveled to Kit Carson Pass on California S.R. 88 with a three-fold purpose in mind:

A mother bear and her twin cubs were released into the wilderness Monday afternoon after being captured on West Washington Street. Nevada Department of Wildlife spokesman Chris Healy said a 35-p...

By the California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds people enjoying the Lake Tahoe Basin to take precautions to avoid black bear encounters. This area is prime black bear habitat, and many of these wild animals are not afraid of humans.
Recently, a bear had to be killed after a man in his tent was injured as the bear tried to break in.
Bears are constantly searching for food, which humans inadvertently make obtainable to them.

By Don Quilici
California has two Free Fishing Days associated with holidays this year. The first Free Fishing Day in 2011 is on July 2 (for the Fourth of July) and the second is on September 3 (for Labor Day).

ANTELOPE LAKE, CALIF:
It will be planted this week by the California Department of Fish and Game.

BISHOP AREA, CALIF:
Rick and Patti Apted - Lake Sabrina Boat Landing (760-873-7425) (www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com) reports:
Sabrina Lake:
Well, I do believe Summer is here! Wooo-Hooo!

Last week, Kevin Law of Carson City and I joined Gene (“Gino”) St. Denis of South Lake Tahoe, California for a morning of Mackinaw (Lake) Trout fishing at Lake Tahoe.

Gene is a longtime, good, personal friend and he is a premier sport fishing guide at South Lake Tahoe, known as Blue Ribbon Charters, 530-544-6552. He has fished Tahoe for some thirty years (the last twelve years as a fishing guide) and is one of the top, if not the top, guides at that lake.

A flood advisory issued by the National Weather Service remains in effect until 9 p.m. on Friday for northeastern El Dorado and Placer Counties and includes creeks, streams and rivers near South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.

The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is cautioning residents and visitors to be aware of fast moving water and quick changing stream flows, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

From boat regattas to Old West Virginia City concerts, Ely steam train rides to fireworks over Lake Tahoe, Nevada offers plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day. This summer, make the most of the holiday by attending one of the state’s many spectacular Fourth of July events.

There are unique celebrations from one end of the state to the other over the holiday weekend. From big-city pyrotechnics to patriotic speeches, you’ll be sure to have plenty from which to choose. For more information on this and other summer fun in Nevada, visit www.TravelNevada.com.

What do six months of record snowfall mean for South Lake Tahoe this summer? It translates to pure blue energy on and off the water, reports the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.

By the California Department of Fish and Game
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds campers, anglers and hikers enjoying the outdoors to take precautions to limit black bear encounters.

A key element to safe camping and recreating in bear country is to limit food odors that attract bears.

Here is the fishing report for Western Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra for the week of April 27. Opening Day for fishing on California lakes and streams is April 30.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 www.shastacascade.com reports:
Water surface temperatures are at 44.7 degrees and water clarity has improved in most areas to 6.5 to 7.5 feet.
Lake Almanor looks great, and the bite has really picked up.
Welcome to "Prime Time."

OK Gang, it’s almost time to have fun in the High Sierras once again. In just 10 days on April 30, the 2011 fishing season will open for applicable lakes, reservoirs, streams, creeks and rivers in the State of California, plus all of the applicable waters in Inyo and Mono Counties. That season will then remain open until Tuesday, Nov. 15.

If you’re new to the area, here’s some information that can be useful if you would like to try your hand at fishing on that Opening Day or Weekend:

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Here is this week's fishing report for Northern and Western Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of April 20-27.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Brian Roccucci of Big Daddy’s Guide Service (539) 283-4103 www.bigdaddyfishing.com reports:
The Brown Bite Continues! More Browns are beginning to move in to areas along the east shore following the Pond Smelt.
On recent trips we have seen pretty solid numbers of Browns, some days having to cover more water than on others, but the fish are there.

By the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association
Prime birding opportunities abound in the Shasta Cascade region. With more than 20 wildlife viewing areas, 4 wildlife refuges, and over 11 wilderness areas, bird enthusiasts are sure to spot a wide variety of bird species.

Courtesy of GrandViewOutdoors.com
Alaska wildlife officials said last Tuesday that they were appalled the federal government rejected their plan to kill wolves to protect caribou on a remote Aleutian Island.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced this week it would not sign off on the state killing seven wolves in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on Unimak Island.

Courtesy of GrandViewOutdoors.com
Republican governors and members of Congress vowed Tuesday to fight an Obama administration plan to make millions of acres of undeveloped land in the West eligible for federal wilderness protection. The GOP officials said the plan would circumvent Congress's authority and could be used to declare a vast swath of public land off-limits to oil-and-gas drilling.

CARSON CITY – A state lawmaker testified today that the federal government’s unfunded mandates on issues such as clean air, clean water and flood zones are imposing costs on Nevada taxpayers without authority or justification.

Saturday evening, March 5, will be the date of my all-time favorite fundraiser: The highly-popular and fun-filled, Carson Valley Chukar Club fundraiser, which will be held as usual at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
More importantly, this year’s version will be its 25th.

Wow! 25 years! Congrats for all you have done for Nevada’s wildlife!

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The California Department of Fish and Game has successfully returned two California black bear yearlings to the remote wilderness near Truckee. Both female cubs were orphaned last summer.

One cub was illegally dumped last June on the front porch of Ann Bryant, executive director of the BEAR League. Weighing only 12 pounds, the cub was emaciated and starving.

By Nevada News Bureau staff
University of Nevada, Reno President Milt Glick has signed the “Campus Compact,” joining a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents who have committed their campuses to encouraging service learning and civic engagement.

AUSTIN, Nev. — It’s not often you’ll find a classic historic mining town full of options for the more active traveler. Austin, Nevada is not only a living ghost town and a cultural heritage get-away but it has a multitude of adventurous options including hiking, mountain bike trails and more. Founded in 1862 during the silver rush, the town is located exactly in the center of the state along the Pony Express route on Highway 50 on the western slopes of the Toiyabe Range at elevation 6,605 feet.