Eagle Lake, CA -- Fri, 10/14/22

 

While camped at Merrill c/g on Eagle Lake (north of Susanville), Jimmy and I discovered a wide, paved walking/bike trail that travels from Christie c/g to Eagle Lake Marina, with Merrill c/g somewhere in the center.  At this time of year, we had a most pleasant ride through the pine trees along the south shore of the "second-largest natural lake in California." Sorry, I didn't get any pics of Tergel in her campsite with its view of the lake, but we were very pleased with the c/g; plus, using our "old farts" pass, we got in for half price.  Merrill c/g at 5200' is located in the Eagle Lake Recreation Area of the Lassen National Forest.

These Aspens were showing a little fall color.

From (closed for the season) Aspen c/g.

We could not, simply could not, believe the sign at the top of the steep ramp.  The water is possibly a quarter-mile away!  White dots on the shoreline?  White Pelicans.  Below, we got off our bikes at the top of the ramp to walk down, and the water is obviously still far in the distance.  Boulders had been placed at the bottom of the ramp.

We walked closer to the Pelicans.

If you try to get too near, they fly.

We biked to Eagle Lake boat ramp, and I had déjà vu all over again.  We parked the bikes and walked along Boat Harbor Road, high above the water, from whence we took these pics.  The end of the ramp is at far left.  These little boats were trying to shooo the Pelicans away.  We watched for a long time, and all the Pelicans would do was turn around, and then around again.

Here's a better view of the ramp, boats, and birds.  The folks on the ramp swung burlap bags over their heads and toward the Pelicans, but the birds were not to be deterred.  Fish might be in the offing!  The small boats were just as undeterred and kept circling, trying to discourage the pesky Pelicans. 

Hundreds of White Pelicans.

Picture from near the parking lot.

This facility is closed.  No kidding.  Below you see the boat ramp disappearing into the grassy shrubs, at right, and Boat Harbor Road at left, atop the rocks.  All that lies between used to be underwater.  Kinda boggles the mind.  I think we've been here before, but Jimmy doesn't.  

We continued riding to (closed) Christie c/g and out onto the nearly-deserted highway for a while, and then back to our campsite.  Much of the path was so strewn with pine straw, at times it wasn't easy to see what was path and what wasn't!  But, this was truly enjoyable, unhurried riding on a perfect autumn day.

We thought the campground would be filled by evening, it being a Friday, but many sites remained unoccupied.  This was such a relaxing stay for us after our royal SNAFU!  I believe Merrill c/g will close by Nov 1st, unless snow falls beforehand.  Jimmy and I braced for another chilly morning tomorrow (this morning:  28°), and then we'll move on into Nevada.