Buddy Jim and I tried to escape the valley fog yesterday, and drove up to Hogan (where else?) to hike around. There was sunshine to be had, but as we were leaving, the fog began to show its hazy head. 

Great fun, not a soul to be seen on the trails, and the trails are in great shape. We saw one boat on the lake. The lake's low, but we thought it was going to be worse, actually.

Oak Knoll day use was closed, so we parked at the Acorn East day use lot and walked across the mud to get to the trailhead. We saw some tents in Acorn East, so camping is happening.

Most excellent meal was had at Brew'gers in Valley Springs, and we caught the last remnants of a car show. For you gun folks, there's a gun shop a few doors down from Brew'gers. 

Here're a couple of useful links for ye: Calaveras Visitors Bureau

7 Reasons To Visit Valley Springs (I'd add the awesome ACE Hardware store)

Brew'gers

California Watchable Wildlife  

And don't miss the awesome River Of Skulls hiking trail below the dam!

Rain, dammit!

     Looks like camping will open at the beginning of May, woohoo! Use the Recreation.gov link to get a site.

    See you there.😋

Campgrounds still not open (3/14/21)

    I called today and the rangers said the campsites weren't open and no date was given for opening.

    Welp, you can still park in the day use and ride the trails, so all is not completely lost. Git up there & ride/hike in this beautiful (almost) spring weather!

    I got a call yesterday from a mole up at Hogan. There's been some encroachment/strip mining on one of our trails by a landowner, It's not a big deal, the trail is mostly intact, but someone(s) has been tearing down the NO TRESSPASSING signs. Loser. Ya wanna ruin this for everyone? Guys, the man is being cool about letting us ride near his property, let's not piss him off by destroying his signs, k? Don't make me stop this car, because I will come back there! 👿

    More Hogan info: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/476

    Another MTBR thread: https://www.mtbr.com/threads/mtb-trails-near-stockton.1178280/