Highway 41, North of Highway 145, Madera County

Highways 41 & 145, Madera County

Little Table Mountain as seen from Highway 41 at Highway 145, the day after Thanksgiving.

Madera Irrigation District Canal, Highway 41

Madera Irrigation District Canal, Highway 41

Madera Irrigation District Canal, Highway 41

I've driven by this big drop in the canal along 41 many times but finally stopped to take some pics.


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Forest Road 10, Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, Part II

Forest Road 10, Sierra Vista Scenic Byway

Forest Road 10, or the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway starts (or ends) at Sierra Sky Ranch Road off of Highway 41, North of Oakhurst. It is basically a recreational gateway. There are all sorts of small lakes, fishing and hunting spots, backpacking trails and other gems that branch off of road 10. This weekend I took road 10 up to Kelty Meadows to get some photos with the storm clouds. The Oakhurst River Parkway postponed their parkway cleanup day to the 20th of June so we suddenly had the morning free in Oakhurst and the clouds looked interesting. Digby, sensing an outdoor activity, packed himself in the back of the Durango. We didn't really have a choice in the matter.

The dogwoods were at peak or just past peak bloom around 5,000 feet elevation and we stopped to take a few shots.

Side Note: You may be interested to check out the rustic Sierra Sky Ranch just past the turnoff from 41. It is supposedly haunted and has a lot of history. However I would not recommend eating there unless you like guessing what menu items will actually be available, waiting a terribly long time for service or chewing odd steaks.

More from El Cid, Highway 41

Behind El Cid restaurant, Oakhurst

El Cid restaurant, Oakhurst

Our favorite restaurant to visit in Oakhurst is El Cid. They have the best homemade salsa and chips I've tried. The trick is keeping yourself from gorging on chips and salsa so that you still have room for dinner. The service is excellent. I am amazed at how quick they are in light of the large crowds they get. If you sit in back you can watch the finches attacking the hanging seed bags and get a view of the mountains and the backyard cactus garden. My favorite plate is the Enchiladas Suizas. I can't really talk restaurants in Oakhurst without mentioning my other favorites, Todd's Cookhouse BBQ (Pulled Pork sandwich and pineapple shake is worth driving to Oakhurst for) and Mountain House (berry blintzes have my number).

Campbell Mountain Last Year

Campbell Mountain

This mountain is becoming an old friend, even though I've never walked its slopes. When I have a short time before dark to catch some passing clouds and I need something under the sky to tie the clouds down to earth, Campbell Mountain is there.

Orchards along Highway 180

Vineyards along Highway 180

Highway 49, Oakhurst

There are a lot of baby blue eyes around Oakhurst right now, but this is the one spot I found with owl's clover mixed in. Its' just off Highway 49 on Vista Del Rio between Oakhurst and Awhahnee.

Highway 180 revisited

Near Centreville on Highway 180

More on the San Joaquin River

The river access on the San Joaquin is so close I took this on my lunchbreak..

Undeveloped County Park on Piedra

There is a little known Kings River access point on Piedra Road in an 'Undeveloped County Park'.  Here's a photo from there last night. More on the way..