Episode 52: Squaw Valley Creek Trail- Autumn Morning Walk

This was recorded while walking down the Squaw Valley Creek Trail in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Shasta County, California. The trail meanders along Squaw Valley Creek as it descends, over numerous rapids and a couple small waterfalls, into a deep and densely forested canyon studded with massive, old growth conifers, live oaks, and a lush understory of Pacific Dogwood, Vine Maple, California Hazel, Bigleaf Maple, and California Black Oak, which were resplendent with fall color.

I had an interesting black bear encounter while out making this episode. Just after I finished recording, while walking down the trail, I noticed an abundance of fresh bear tracks criss-crossing a stand of short(eight to ten foot tall) and scrubby Oracle Oaks, a hybrid between Interior Live Oak and California Black Oak. As I was stopped and inspecting the tracks, I looked to my left and saw a large black mass in the tops of the short trees, which promptly plopped down onto the ground and scurried away through the undergrowth. I can only guess that it was up there enjoying a snack, as the trees were loaded with acorns.

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I hope you are all staying healthy in body and mind as we all navigate this pandemic and unsettlingly dystopian human world. As our American election nears I hope you are keeping the Earth, our planet, our home, in mind as you head to the polls or complete your mail in ballot. I hope that you will choose candidates that will aggressively fight climate change and enact policies that will preserve, protect, and defend our environment and the natural world for our grandchildren and their grandchildren. And if you live elsewhere in the world, in a country that holds democratic elections, I hope you will keep these thoughts in mind when you make your choices. Thank you all very much for listening.