RonnieAdventure #538 - Secret Canyon, Fleet Week, California "Old Faithful"

 

My favorite type of hike is one that I can drive to a trailhead at the base of a mountain, hike to the mountain top while I have a lot of energy, eat lunch at the top, then have a leisurely hike back to the trailhead. The hike to Secret Canyon is not one of those hikes. Instead, we started at the canyon rim, hiked down a dry wash filled with loose sand that was difficult to walk in, scrambled over large rocks, up slopes with loose shale, squeezed through tight passages, then fought our way through brush to find the Colorado River. After lunch, rather than following our trail back to the trailhead, we decided to take a "shortcut" that turned out to be a mile longer over some really miserable uphill terrain -- when we were already tired and worn out. Although it was a hard hike and I was really burned out, I made it back to the trailhead and we saw a lot of beautiful scenery along the way.

The wash that we were following ended at a dry waterfall, so we had to climb out of the canyon and continue along a ridgeline until we could find a trail down to the river. 

From the ridgeline, Liberty Bell Arch was visible in the distance.

The squeeze between two rocks was so tight we had to take off our packs in order to pass between the rocks as the trail descended into the canyon.  

There were numerous hot springs in Secret Canyon with water temperatures of about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. In several places the canyon walls were covered with white mineral deposits and ferns. There were even some palm trees growing along the stream leading to the river. Just before reaching the river, the stream cascaded over a cliff, forming a small waterfall.

Looking downriver

Looking upriver

Fortunately, I had a GPS unit to help fine our way out, or we would probably still be wandering around the various connecting side canyons. 

I named this rock formation "Peter Rabbit."

I named this formation "Hot Lips."

I named this formation "Grumpy Face."

HISTORIC PICTURES FROM OCTOBER 1994

In 1938 Congress approved funding for a large naval facility to be constructed in the San Francisco Bay at Alameda, California. The facility was large enough for two carrier air wings, five seaplane squadrons, and two utility squadrons. During construction, funding was increased to include two seaplane hangers and an aircraft carrier berthing pier. 

After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Alameda facility became a major operations hub for the Navy. It was from Alameda that in April of 1942, the USS Hornet carrying a group of sixteen B-25 bombers led by General Doolittle left the base to carry out a sneak attack on Japan. In 1997, the base closed and the USS Hornet was placed at the former air station to be used as a museum ship. 

In October 1994, while the Alameda facility was still operational, we attended "Fleet Week." It was impressive to watch the ships come under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the harbor. Shortly after passing under the Bridge, a fighter jet was launched from an aircraft carrier. This was the first time that an airplane was launched from a carrier in the harbor. 

While the ships were docking, we were treated to an air show by the Navy's Blue Angles. Then, later in the day, the aircraft carrier and some of the other ships were open for public visits.

There are three "Old Faithful Geysers" in the world - one each in New Zealand, Wyoming, and California. The California Old Faithful Geyser is located in Calistoga, so we often stopped by the geyser when we had visitors staying with us. In the fall, apples were available at several wineries. 

Also, located at the geyser were a bamboo forest and some really tall grass.