Squaw closes but the Woolly Mammoth is the last open

Sunday marked the end of resort skiing and riding for this season as Squaw Valley, leaving Mammoth Mountain 150 miles southwest as the only "local" venue.

Mammoth is scheduled to close May 31 but as of now still is in operation with the bull wheels spinning at several sites, mostly close to the big old main lodge. The Gondola is in operation and takes riders to the top of the mountain. We will be there Wednesday to wind up the season as we will be en route to Los Angeles for some hiking with old friends. We'll also stop at Buckeye Hot Spring for a dip (off Highway at Twin Lakes). Some very nice crude tubs are along the Buckeye Creek, which is flowing almost to the banks right now.

Squaw closed out the season with the swimming pool and hot tub at HighCamp open and music resounding off the mountain. Trails were in good shape, although Siberia was messy; Shirley Lake runs were fine as they mostly face north. Not much chance of snowsporting at Squaw this July 4th as we have in the distant past.

Meanwhile, in the valleys the lower hiking trails are mostly cleared of snow and we checked Dead Man's Creek off East Lake Boulevard opposite Washoe State Park. The trail to the gazebo is fine, and the fork to the left as the trail begins to ascend to the gazebo is pretty clear and lots of wildlife to see there. We met plenty of deer there, a few snakes and many birds. All kinds of trails branch off here up into the ridges for bushwhacking.

Wild flowers are in full bloom now, ascending all the way up to the gazebo, which incidentally is in need of repair and is about to get it thanks to a Boy Scout and his church. Work starts soon, and just in time as the gazebo sways in the strong winds common at the ridge. The wildflowers include the tall yellow butterweed; purple lupines; hordes of small daisies and phlox in pastels. The wild flowers seem to grow all over the hill, fading away and then coming back. I've seen plenty of phlox here in the past but this seems to be a good year for the pretty little flowers.

Rock Art: Stories in Stone

Fun with rocks 7 p.m., Thursday, May 14 at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Reno. Nevada's prehistoric rock art is among the most spectacular and fascinating to be found in the world. At the Great Basin Group's next meeting, Dr. Angus Quinlan, director of the Nevada Rock Art Foundation, will show the visually stunning designs that make up Nevada's rock art and address the compelling questions about the prehistoric social practices it signifies. This fragile form of archaeology is increasingly threatened by the impacts of population growth. The efforts of the Nevada Rock Art Foundation to promote its protection will be described. All programs and meetings are free. Call Valerie Anderson at 828-0302.

One Last Reminder

Back off the bindings on skis when you stow them for the summer, making not of the DIN number so you can reset next fall. And add a coat of wax to keep the P-Tex from drying out.

Contact Sam Bauman at 841-7818 or sambauman@att.net.