Lakes Basin area.

A few teaser pictures for the Sacramento Paddle Pushers.

The Sierra Buttes and Lookout.

Lower Sardine Lake.

The Sierra Buttes from the Packer Saddle area.

Paddling Gold Lake. 

Private cabin on Gold Lake.

Bald Eagle at Gold Lake.

* Gold Lake Paddle

A morning paddle on Gold Lake in the Lakes basin area near the town of Bassets, CA.

* Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

On the way home from our Lakes Basin trip, we stopped by the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Princeton, CA. 

We picked up our season pass and were delightfully surprised when we drove the auto tour and saw so many geese and waterfowl this early. Hopefully that's a sign of a great Winter birding season in the Sacramento Valley.

More Info: http://www.fws.gov/sacramentovalleyrefuges/index.html

* Sierra Buttes Hike

November 3, 2012

After a late start in the morning, we took off on an attempt to reach the look-out tower on top of the Sierra Buttes. We drove up the Packer Saddle road, hiking the last two miles to the saddle, then about another mile to the trailhead.

On the trail, we encountered snow about 20 inches deep, and without snowshoes, found the going very slow. At about 3:00 o'clock we were still a couple miles from the lookout with the snow getting deeper.

We had some lunch, took a few pictures and headed back, knowing the summit was not doable today with the gear we had.

Still, a great outing in an amazing area.

Morning brew.

Our Sardine Lakes camp spot.

The Sierra Buttes from camp. 

A shot from the dock at Lower Sardine Lake.

On the 4X4 road leading to Upper sardine Lake.

Packer Saddle road.

About 2 miles from Packer Saddle. 

Sierra Buttes from the Packer Saddle road.

Here is where we turned around. 3:00pm and till a couple miles of snow travel away from the look-out.

Heading back down Packer Saddle road.