Canyon Creek RV Resort, Winters, CA

Day 8, 9:  Monday, Tuesday, January 22, 23     Canyon Creek RV Park, Winters, CA

Crow watching us on our morning walk at Black Butte Lake

We went on a nice walk around the campground, then headed south.  There were very few people staying at this park this time of year, and we got a nice spot within view of Monticello Dam, which dams up Lake Berryessa.  Monticello is the name of the small town that was in the valley flooded by the lake when the dam was put in.  We walked down along Putah Creek, saw a heron and heard osprey.  Linda did some laundry and Jim vacuumed and tidied up the MH.  Weather not a whole lot warmer than it is at home – in the 40’s.  It is nice to have hookups after being at Black Butte – the heated mattress pad on the bed works, and we can plug in our electronics.  No cell signal at all in this canyon! 

Putah Creek and our campground.  A hint of white through the trees is us!
Monticello Dam at the bottom of Berryessa Lake in the background.

Walking downstream along Putah Creek

Campground clubhouse along the creek.  There is a restaurant
 and small grocery store here during the summer.

Tuesday we walked from the campground to hike in the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, which is owned by the University of California at Davis and used for research projects, is a habitat for 108 bird species, 43 mammal species, and many plants.  Our hike to the main trailhead was rigorous, along the creek, with rocky climbs and descents, rock steps in some places.  From there we hiked the Homestead Trail, about 1.2 more miles uphill to the site of a historic goat farm.  Although the entire hike was only 5 miles, we were tired when we got back!

Walking through a culvert on the rough creekside trail
to the Cold Canyon trailhead.

 

A view back down the creek from the trail
to the old Goat Homestead.  Hee hee!

Very quiet in this canyon today!

Choosing a large but steady rock to cross the stream.

Wednesday we drove up Highway 128 along Lake Berryessa.  We saw the results of a 2017 fire along the road near Spanish Flat and on the ridges.  This is a big lake, with many resorts down off the road.  We parked at the Oak Shores Day Use Area – nobody there but us?  We walked around the points of land along the lake, ended up at the Smittle Creek Trailhead.  We walked that trail several years ago!  The day was overcast and a bit windy, making us long for southern climes.  After lunch we decamped and headed to Beals Point on Folsom Lake.

View of Berryessa Lake from Oak Shores Day Use Area

2017 fire damage along the road near Spanish Flat

Higher ridges got so hot the soil is sterilized, no green this year!