September 24, 2001

Greetings from what John Muir once proclaimed to be the most spectacular of all the mountain ranges...and yes,he was right.  At the request of Tim, who claims to be too buried with the teaching thing right now (my guess is he's
really too busy trying to figure out what's working on the lower reaches of the LA River), I am making a guest appearance in this edition of the newsletter.  Many of you probably know me as I have been at the resort since '89.  If there's a conversation going at the counter about trail running I'm probably present.  However, I aim to please so we will stick with what most likely ranks high on your list...fishing, pie, weather, fall colors, etc.

The fishing has continued to sizzle with big trout coming in by the creel full.  Of course, in all honesty, even if the fishing was slow I would tell you otherwise because something is always working, right?  It's just a question of what.  Here's an example of the productivity of September on the lake: on the 5th I was down at the lake in the evening picking up the boat gear and Mark Hayes and Jerry Jahn (longtime Rock Creekers and fixtures at the breakfast counter every morning of their trips) were fishing the shoreline to the right of the docks.  Mark had just pulled in a 9 lb., 2 oz. beauty, so we headed back to the resort to weigh it.  The scales behind the front register were still trembling with the weight of that lunker when in walks Jerry with a 10 lb., 9 oz. whopper!  Not bad, eh?  More recently a 6 lb., 2 oz. rainbow was caught by Ty McPherson from Arcadia on an Olive Twin Lakes Special on the 20th.  Limits are still plentiful and we are still getting our weekly DFG stocking so there is much good fishing yet to be had.

I don't know if I can accurately describe in writing the weather and fall colors currently gracing the East Side, but I will make an attempt.  It is far and away the most incredible September I have ever been fortunate enough to experience.  The colors in the aspens this year in Rock Creek Canyon rank high up in the most spectacular category.  When the trees are backlit by a ridgeline-hugging sunrise or sunset the yellows and oranges seem to dance across the landscape.  Throw in some high clouds for a pastel-laden sky swirling with deep blues and fire reds and you have the
recipe for an awe-inspiring, stop-dead-in-your-tracks spiritual experience.  Nothing created by human hands will ever rival the timeless beauty of the natural landscape.  The extremely dry conditions of last winter (35% of average snowpack) followed by an equally dry summer (if not for the week of rainfall totalling approximately 2 inches in early July we would be at maybe .05 for the season) are resulting in an early color peak this year, but not by much...maybe 2 weeks.  The transient experience of fall color must be why it is so exhilarating.  As for the weather, well, I think we've
been below freezing at night maybe 4 times.  It is September 23rd.  That is ridiculous.  We haven't even had so much as a dry cold front come through yet.  I was on Muir Pass (12,000 ft.) 2 days ago in a tank top and running
shorts with a heavy dose of sweat evaporation occurring and I was warm.  Rock Creek has been in the 60's, pushing 70 some days, all month.  Lows have mainly been in 30's with the occasional warmer evening.  The only thing that could add to the magic is, ironically, some soaking rains.  I am as single-minded about running as a lot of you are about fishing and, without a doubt, the trails are in desperate need of moisture.  It is soooo dry and dusty.  Of course,
it is all relative and I will take sub-par trail conditions over concrete jungle every time.  However, if any of you have any free time, do a little rain dance for The Creek.  For those of you planning a trip to the area this fall, I encourage you to check the forecast before leaving.  This is the time of year when conditions can change faster than I can cross off
peach pie and next week all my talk of warmth may be cause for nostalgia and an extra sweater.

Speaking of peach pie, this year will most definitely go down in the books as the 'Year of the Sunset'...magazine article that is.  At least August anyway.  The ink on that issue hadn't so much as dried before the floodgates opened.  The restaurant broke records on a daily basis and 30 pie mornings were sometimes not enough to appease the masses.  Sue's description of the kitchen as a 'walk-in closet with plumbing' was hilariously accurate but almost outdone by the customer eating at the counter later that month who leaned over and said, 'Hey, that grill area looks like the setup in my trailer.'  No doubt.  If talk of pie has got you drooling like Coloma (those of you that have been introduced to
the golden retrievers hanging out behind the resort will get that), you've got until Sunday, October 14th (The grill is closing on Oct. 1 but soup, chili and pie continue to the last day).  That is the official closing day
for 2001.  After that all we can offer until next spring are the pie drippings incompletely combusted on the oven racks.  If you offer to come up and clean the racks, Sue may bake you a pie for free.  You didn't hear that from me and I don't recommend taking on that task.

Most of you are probably aware that Hannah (the Resort's other Golden Retreiver) gave birth to 10 puppies in July.  Only one remains, Jasper Junior or JJ, named after the father.  This dog has all the potential of living up to the standard set by its mom, and that bar is set high.  The other 9 have by now settled into their new homes, many close by.

The black bears have largely kept in the shadows this summer.  Unfortunately, after the previous 2 year's
countless car break-ins, a few were shot last fall, but I really believe the remaining bears sensed something and either moved on or put two and two together because they have been on their best behavior.  Only a few scattered incidents this year.  This is a delicate issue with no easy solution, but the installment of bear boxes throughout the canyon is
definitely a step in the right direction.  As far as campgrounds go, here is a list of closing dates, all subject to weather-related changes:
East Fork and Palisade (9/30)
Pine Grove - upper & lower (10/7)
Aspen, Rock Creek Lake Group Camp, & Tuff (10/15)
French Camp, Iris & Big Meadows, Rock Creek Lake (10/29)

We still have several cabin openings in October so if you are in need of one last dose of mountain-induced euphoria, give us a call at 760-935-4311.

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter.  The real thing is much better, of course.  I will end by saying that we are all richly blessed who have spent time exploring this Range of Light, and more specifically that little slice of glacially-carved granite called Little Lakes Valley.  I have explored a lot of Sierra Nevada real estate on foot and, bias or no bias, I have to say that this drainage is unrivaled.  I can think of a few places that come close, such as LeConte Canyon and Evolution Valley on the John Muir Trail, yet there is something about that string of lakes nestled beneath the majestic Bear Creek Spire and a host of other 13,000 foot+ peaks that stirs the senses to a reality greater than the frantic pace at which society attempts to push us through our blink-of-the-eye lives.  I invite you to come and join us again or for
the first time and reinvigorate your body, mind and soul.  Witnessing recently the worst of human nature may have cast
darkness upon the spirit, but time spent in natural beauty cleanses and renews everytime.

'The mountains are calling me and I must go.' (John Muir)
Glad tidings to all,

Jeff Kozak

Oh, and as Tim says, THINK CREEK :)