Whiskeytown Lake, Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail.

This weekend is going to be a great one for hiking and getting outdoors.  We went for a hike last weekend out at Whiskeytown lake and it was quite warm.  The trail we chose was a beginning level trail, mostly shady and very pleasant overall.

Whiskeytown lake is full up to the shore with water, as well as other lakes in northern California.  Lot's of rain and snow this year, and late in the season. This is going to be an excellent year to enjoy our rivers, creeks and lakes for sure.  

Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail was originally a  canal system that provided water to the mining operations in Clear creek.  The Water Ditch Trail, meanders, along the lake and also highway 299 west towards Clear creek.  The trail is well shaded, and right on the lake for the most part.  We did not hike the whole trail, it is 2.75 miles one way.

 

Beautiful day on Whiskeytown lake in Shasta county.

Portion of the Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail.

We found these quaint man made steps from stone and cement.

A dead tree in the sea green colored part of the lake.

 

Lots of wild flowers in the spring at Whiskeytown lake.

Here is a link to the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area website.  There you can view information about the different trails and more.

Whiskeytown Hiking Trails

Highway 299 Buckhorn Summit Road Construction

Be prepared this spring and summer for road work being done on Buckhorn Summit, Highway 299 West. Which means waiting for the pilot truck both ways in the commute.  

I went by there a week or so ago and there were three particular bends that are going to be "straightened out".  They took down many trees, I stopped at just one of the sites to take photographs.  It hurts to see all old trees being cut down. 

Buckhorn Summit road construction, Shasta county side, 2011.

Trees cut down on Highway 299 for road widening.

Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta County, Oakbottom

I went to Whiskeytown Lake off of Highway 299  a while back.  It was a very hot day and the lake was spectacular as usual.  We swam near the same spot that my parents would sometimes stop at during my childhood.  It is the north end of the lake, near Oakbottom Recreational Area.

I was almost to my neck in water with this shot.

Moth, Whiskeytown Lake, California. What kind of moth is this?

I was at the lake and a little kid rescued a moth from the lake.  He put the moth in the mazanita bush.  It looks very interesting.  It seems to be injured and maybe at the end of his lifespan.  I tried to look up the type of species, but low and behold there are many many types of moths out for Shasta County alone there were 20+ types.  I had no idea.   So I thought I might be able to publish the photos, and see if anyone already knew.

Please if you have any idea what type of moth this is leave a comment.  Thanks.  I appreciate your efforts. 

  

 

Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta County, Spring 2010

Passing by Whiskeytown Lake the other day I stopped and took some photos.  The mountains in the distant still had some snow on them, that will be gone very shortly.  The lakes in northern California are fuller than they have been in many years, and we are very grateful for that.  Makes the summer so much more enjoyable at all the lakes, Shasta, Whiskeytown, and Trinity (Clair Engle).  

Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta County

Beautiful Whiskeytown Lake, in Shasta County is one of the nicest places to relax, swim, and spend time on the lake with friends and/or family. The water is the perfect temperature, it has many great beaches, it is a campground lake and you can have recreational vehicles in the lake also. The water is clear, refreshing, and looks almost like a sea at times.