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A Break in the Weather
Thanksgiving came in like a lion with
our first real snow storm of the new winter season. Wednesday we awoke to a
foot of snow overnight. Thanksgiving morning we woke to an additional fourteen
inches. Between running the tractor and snowblower, shoveling off the deck and
sidewalks, carefully tending to the twenty pound turkey on the grill outside,
and having everything ready when our guests arrived - it was a busy day. Friday
morning rewarded us with another two inches of snow. It was a five gallons of
diesel through the tractor Thanksgiving celebration.
The storms continued into the first
half of December but turned warmer with rain up to pass level. Weather
forecasts on a Saturday night gave us a glimmer of hope finally for a sunny day
- the next Monday.
A Monday would give us a chance to drive down to the north
bay area and see our niece's and her partner's new baby girl. Alas, they were
unavailable for a visit. How could we then make use of a sunny Monday?
A quick check at Benton showed most
campsites were available Sunday and Monday nights. You've got to love the thinning out affect cold winter brings!
The truck and camper were packed
before we turned in Saturday night as the rain continued to hammer down on our
roof. A sunny day would be so nice.
We started out Sunday morning with
the storm ebbing. It had turned colder. Chain controls were up on all the
mountain highways along with the mandatory 25 mph speed limits. On the east
side we left snow and ice and chain controls at Woodfords as highway 88 dropped
us into Nevada's Carson River Valley. To avoid chain restrictions on highway
395 south back into California, we moved east over to highway 95.
We watched the storm clear over the
White Mountains at sunset Sunday from our wonderful private tub of restorative hot
spring waters at Benton.
We took a long walk in the early
night.
We, of course, checked the spot weather
forecast for Benton beforehand. Day time highs were predicted to be 44° with
overnight lows of 19° - pretty darn nice when lows are often in the single
digits. We were shocked to see the low Monday morning was only 33° when we
awoke, nice and comfortable.
How should we start our day?
Benton is an easy decision because
there is so much to explore in the area. We can always find something fun to
do. On the list for awhile was climbing up to the Sacramento Mine on the flanks of the White Mountains above
Chalfant Valley. The mine was worked up to the early
1940's.
A rough 4x4 road climbs the steep
alluvial fan. We followed our topo map to access the road. The map did not show
the recent addition of a new transfer station - dump - that now blocked the
way. A faint road detoured around the fenced dump but ended before linking back
up with the original road up to the mine. We stopped at road's end. With it
only a couple of miles up to the mine, it would take less time to hike up to the
mine than to drive back and search out another way to access the old mine road.
Hiking would make for a much healthier day anyway, and a good way to earn all
that decadent soaking ahead for us upon our return to Benton.
The day was absolutely beautiful with
crisp clean air.
Alluvial fans are always steeper than
they might appear. In short order we gained elevation and earned spectacular
vistas.
There is one remaining mine associated building that sits just
up from the canyon bottom. There is extensive rock work and remains of stacked
rock foundations throughout the mine area.
The vistas continued to amaze us.
The trail continues up the canyon
where a water source was developed to supply the mine.
The mine is high on the mountainside
to the north of the building. We hiked over to the main ore processing area.
Tramway cable led high up the
mountainside to the main shafts.
We enjoyed climbing higher.
And we enjoyed working our way back
down.
We checked out the surviving building.
Clues as to what the miners were
after littered the ground.
Sacramento Mine turned old to be a nice little adventure.
The weather forecast was correct.
Monday was a sunny day! We returned to Benton mid afternoon. Ours was the only
occupied campsite. We had the place to ourselves!
We walked at sunset. We saw one of
the resident great horned owls high in a tree. We watched the near full moon
rise - December's Cold Moon. We walked up and visited the small historic
cemetery. We were awestruck and so very happy.
It was going to be a colder night.
No matter, hot spring water would shed our cares and years away.
It was cloudy when we woke Tuesday
morning for our return home. The overnight low had only dropped to 28°. Another
storm was on its way. We had made the most of this break in the weather.