Switchback trail - 1902

[Ken]

Dave,

I put in the GPS coordinates for where to park, Churchs, CA and the 2 dams....I'm definitely going to scope them out on the Miyagi.

There is definitely a path still there from Churchs to the closest dam. Plus I'd like to see if there is anything left of that Corral. My GPS map had a X for Churchs, CA.

[Ken]

I was looking more closely at the lake....and it looks like the river was re-routed in a hoop....and there are definitely man-made channels or perhaps irrigation lanes after the lake was drained. They are straight lines...not nature made.

[hemingray]

Yeah, those lines are intriguing. On the river curve - I bet the massive drainoff may have straightened that loop out, I can easily imagine the dynamics of the water making a straight channel.

The corral by the road is most definitely still there, we usually blister past it. The problem with going via Churchs Camp is that there is a closed gate and there were fresh tire tracks leading past it. That's why my alternate hike skirts that meadow completely. Also, I try to avoid steep slopes, my knees have issues with them, so I try to follow the contours to make it more gentle on me. I'm gettin' old...

It looks like getting down by the river from the damsite is just a matter of staying on the same contour as you parallel the river going upstream until you meet the stream level.

What day are you thinking? I can come out on one of the days, but I can't stay over...

[Ken]

The corral by the road is most definitely still there, we usually blister past it.

That's the Churchs Camp Corral? Hahaha....never knew what the heck that was for.

I'm not sure.....maybe Friday...hard to say.

[hemingray]

I know lots of folks want to do the Fordyce - history can wait for another weekend...

[Ken]

KMZ file sent via email.

[Kendo]

Since there are going to be so many people, maybe we arrange a Fordyce ride and a history ride. I'm not sure everyone wants to ride Fordyce.