It was a beautiful, warm (low 80s), pre-Spring day (03/17/04). We took a 2+ hour drive to New Melones Lake, right off of Highway 49 in the Mother Lode. It was across the highway from the Calaveras County Fairgrounds near Angel's Camp, where the annual Frog Jumping contest is held. The drive there was great. Rolling, green hills with newly-leafed Oaks, flowering trees of various colors, wineries, and one old "frontier town" after another.
Angela at the picnic table where we had our lunch.
We took a short hike around a part of the lake. It could've been longer, but we both were very hot in the sun (should've worn shorts!).
We encountered this bear cub towards the end of a loop trail we took. It must have been very scared of us, as it didn't so much as twitch the whole time we were watching it.
One last view of new Melones Lake.
