49.23 California: Berryessa Lake, free hiking along another ridge. Loved it.

It's exciting not being aware of a lake within sight and then reaching a certain height and lo and behold, the lake comes into view. This is just not any lake...it seems to encompass the best in color and shape. A wonderful view!

We startled the hawks. Jenni can be quite scary at times.
Never thought it would get better after the initial hike in Berryessa. Well, it did and we are fortunate for it. Admittedly, we took an unofficial path which was not a trail. In fact, it consisted of various fire roads and paths commencing on Highway 128 and proceeding mostly upwards until we reached the ridge. On the day, we did not climb less than about 2,800 feet. It was exciting as we explored various 'routes', connecting from one trail/path to another until we could see the final road headed toward the ridge. This occurred less than 40 minutes from the end. Until that moment, we could not be sure we'd reach the ridge. We can’t think of a time when we had more fun and enjoyment while sweating, tinged with the unknown, hoping that our car would not be towed and that we would find our way back to where we left it. (Probably, last week). I’m not going to mention that I expected the odd whine from Jenni, but I was wrong. She proved to be her usual stellar self. 

The views of the lakes were nothing short of spectacular. We were in a completely different region from the hike 2-days prior and so the sights were unique. Our thinking on the initial hike, was an intention to attempt on another day to reach the ridge we viewed and envied from the first summit. The blackened trees with green growth on the surface, including flowering plants, made for attractive sights, too. While the destruction of many trees caused by fire is sad, nature provides other forms of beauty. Sometimes haunting and bewitching but nevertheless, easy on the eye and other senses. Renewal is occurring and it seems, paraphrasing the words of General MacArthur, 'Nature will be back'. 

Should I have any attributes (controversial subject), I suppose it could be said: A willingness to believe that no mountain is too steep, no climb too long and most challenges can be accomplished in the wilderness. Weaknesses I have many but relating to hiking it is thus: I underestimate the steepness of mountains, underestimate the length of mountain trails, and always think reaching a destination spotted from the road is attainable. Jen could express it better than me. Clearly, my weakness and strength are but one, just opposite sides of a hiking pole. Jen certainly has had to cope with my optimistic outlook toward mountain hikes and she has dealt with it admirably.

  The beginning of summer...after the heat of the season, the future of this grass is bleak. One of us enjoys the sight though.

The final stretch as we head for the ridge, the feeling was high, the summit not as high.

Part of the trail we found.
Prior to the fire, I would not have been able to catch this glimpse of Jenni.
A path which appears to lead to the water but doesn't.
Slightly haunting, the burnt trees give off the feeling.
The coloring differs depending from what angle one observes the lake. All good.
A beautiful section tucked away 'in a corner'.
My favorite!
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey