Good reads
Sierra Crest Route
Author: Leonard Daughenbaugh
Publisher: Sierra Nevada Publishing House (www.sierracrestroute.org)
List price: $11.95
In 1884, a young man named Theodore Solomons stood on his uncle's ranch near Fresno and imagined a hiking route that paralleled the Sierra Nevada crest. Solomon's vision eventually became the John Muir Trail.
Splendid as it is, the JMT contains several sections that dip below timberline, which is fine for backpackers but leaves true mountaineers longing for more alpine environs.
Leonard Daughenbaugh is one of those people. After years of exploration, the author has carved out a 228-mile, totally cross-country mountaineering route through the High Sierra that never strays farther than one mile from the main crest.
"Sierra Crest Route" is not your typical hiking guidebook. For one, there are no maps or vivid descriptions -- the main text doesn't even include photographs. Second, the route is rated Class 3, which means the terrain it crosses is steep enough that hand and footholds are sometimes required. To follow Daughenbaugh's detailed descriptions, it's often necessary to break out a topographic map.
This book isn't for novice backpackers or folks who need exact directions, mileage and time estimates or any kind of hand-holding. But those who are comfortable treading off the beaten path -- or any path at all -- can discover a world that's much the same as it was when early explorers like Solomons left their footprints.
Events
Smokey Bear Run/Walk
When: Saturday
Where: Recreation Point, Bass Lake
On the shores of Bass Lake, the Smokey Bear Run has been one of the area's premier running events for two decades. It's also a 20-point event in the Valley Runner of the Year series.
Registration begins at 6:45 a.m., followed by kids' races at 8 and a 2-mile run/walk at 8:15. The 10-kilometer main event goes off at 8:30. Fees are $20 for ages 10 and older and $10 for 9 and younger. Details: www.smokeybearrun.com.
Tying and Fishing the October Caddis
When: Oct. 18
Where: El Portal
Sierra fly-fishing guide Jimmie Morales is offering a special one-day clinic on the Merced River. Participants will learn how to tie the October caddis fly during the day and how to fish the pattern in the evening.
Fees are $100 per person, and space is limited. Call (209) 379-2140 or (559) 683-7664 to sign up.
News & notes
Saturday is Free Fishing Day in California, which means no licenses are required but all fish sizes and bag limits will be enforced. It's also National Public Lands Day, which means free entry at all national parks and monuments.
Michele Leary, a former operator at Virg's Landing, has opened a new charter service based in Morro Bay called Central Coast Sportfishing. Go to centralcoastsportfishing.com or call (805) 704-2084 for details. Rock-cod season ends Nov. 30.
The fifth annual Yosemite Facelift, a parkwide cleanup effort, continues through Sunday. Volunteers receive free park admission and should check in by 8 a.m. at the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center on days they wish to participate.
Becoming an Outdoors Woman's popular multicourse workshop returns to the Wonder Valley Ranch from Oct. 17-19. Fees are $395 per person. Details: www.bowca.org or (530) 347-0227.
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