Creek Fire Changes Landscape, Massive Restoration Underway Open for Business!
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Shaver Lake times Shaver Lake Times News for Travelers on Where To Shop, Eat, Stay and Play in the Local Sierra Nevada Issue #2 Spring, Summer, Fall 2021 A Talahi Publication Open for Business! Come Play and Stay With Family and Friends Shaver Lake is surrounded by land click Things to Do to get information managed by Southern California Edi- on over 30 different exciting adven- son and the U.S. Forest Service. It is tures that await you. the gateway to several wilderness re- Take advantage of the Regional Map gions. Here you will find an art gallery, on page 17 of this paper. It will give lodging, camping, dining, gift shops, you an opportunity to plan ahead on hardware store, sports bars, a sporting what you might wish to visit or where goods store, real estate offices and gro- you might like to stay while here. cery stores. It is a blessing to all of us, visitors, The Central Sierra businesses and residents alike, that Resiliency Fund the many outdoor recreational activi- The Central Sierra Resiliency Fund ties that make this area so popular are supports long-term Creek Fire recov- available again in 2021. ery efforts in communities within the So come take advantage of fish- vicinity of Fresno County’s Central ing, hiking, boating, sailing, hunting, Sierra region including, but not limit- rock climbing, horseback riding, bird ed to, Huntington Lake, Lakeshore, Big watching, off road vehicle treks, sight- Creek Fire Changes Landscape, Creek, Shaver Lake, Pine Ridge, Mead- seeing, water sports and much more. ow Lakes, Alder Springs, and Auberry. If you have never been to this part of the Massive Restoration Underway To donate or to learn more about the Sierra National Forest, welcome. There is The tragedy of the Creek Fire be- It is considered by experts to be one of Resiliency Fund please visit online at always something to do. Or, if you prefer, comes apparent halfway up the four the most aggressive wildfires in Califor- sierrahistorical.org/resiliencyfund or you can simply relax with a good book. lane on Highway 168 as the view nia history. Nearly $193 million in fire call (559) 841-4477. Send an email to Go to ShaverLakeTimes.com and changes from natural vegetation to a suppression costs were incurred. The es- [email protected] burned out desolate landscape. timated property damage tops a half bil- lion dollars. The cause is still unknown. What Saved the Town of Shaver (continued on page 28) Guidelines Remain in Place Lake from the Devastating Fire? to Help Keep Businesses Open You and others traveling to Shaver pletely engulf the shoreline. A section of Be aware of state and local laws. Lake in 2021 will see firsthand the re- forest north of the lake withstood the fire Wear a mask when required. It shows sults of the Creek Fire. Many will won- despite sitting in its direct path when a wall respect for others and helps bring an der why some areas were torched while of flames roared up from Big Creek Can- end to an international nightmare. others, like the town of Shaver Lake, yon in the early morning hours of Sept. 5. Get vaccinated. Use hand sanitizer, were left unscathed. (continued on page 6) limit the size of your party. Keep six When looking closely at maps of the feet of distance from those not in your Creek Fire, you notice how the burned ar- household. Wash hands frequently. eas surround Shaver Lake but don’t com- View from the sweeping curve on Highway 168 looking back towards Cressman’s General Store. Shaver Lake Times All the news that fits we print! This devastating fire was sparked in the Big Creek drainage late in the after- • Mountain Biking in the Sierra - 14 • Horseback Riding in the Sierra - 4 • Rock Jocks at Courtright - 4 • Adaptive Sports Program Team - 23 noon of September 4, the beginning of • Camping With a Furry Friend - 21 • Sierra Marina Staff Fights Fire - 8 Labor Day Weekend. • Enjoy Beautiful Wildflowers - 26 • Six Major Lakes in the Region - 29 It destroyed 856 homes and 71 other • Catch and Release Fishing - 20 • Star Gazing in the Sierra Nevada - 9 structures. Twelve campers and 14 fire- • Please Do Not Feed the Wildlife - 5 • SL Volunteer Information - 16 fighters were injured. There were no • Soak in Wilderness Hot Springs - 12 • Regional Restaurant Available - 11 fatalities. It consumed nearly 400,000 • Muir Trail and PCT Hiking News - 23 • Teach the Kids to Make S’mores - 24 acres. Full containment was finally de- • Off Road Trail Suggestions - 19 • Regional Museums to Explore - 13 SCE forestry management teams have done clared four months later on December 24. Copyright ©2021 Talahi Media Arts, Prather, CA • (559) 298-3133 • Talahi.com prescribed burning on property for many years. Shaver Lake times CHINA PEAK at HUNTINGTON LAKE 20 DEGREES COOLER.* * On average, China Peak is 20º to 30º cooler than Fresno and most of the Central Valley! Mountain Bike Park and Bike Rentals, Scenic Chairlift Rides, Lodging, Dining and Live Music Fridays. Fishing, Sailing, Paddling and more! SCENIC CHAIRLIFT MOUNTAIN BIKING BOAT RENTALS China Peak is located 65 miles from Fresno at Huntington Lake, via Highway 168 SKICHINAPEAK.COM China Peak Mountain Resort • 59265 Highway 168 • PO Box 236, Lakeshore, CA 93634 • (559) 233-2500 Shaver Lake Times - page 2 Visit Us Online at ShaverLakeTimes.com Shaver Lake times Huntington Enjoy the Great Outdoors Lake Resort At Huntington All Four Seasons We Survived the Creek Fire and Look Forward to Your Visit in 2021 A Favorite Family The Tamarack Lodge Vacation Destination for Over 60 Years! Nestled in the pines near Tamarack Creek, • Cozy Cabins just off Highway 168, offers visitors • Restaurant warm and inviting accommodations • Marina • Pet Friendly at surprisingly affordable rates. (559) 326-6687 Shaver Lake and China Peak Just Minutes Away For reservations or further details visit HuntingtonLakeResort.com (559) 893-3244 58730 Huntington Lake Road,Lakeshore, CA 93634 55380 Flintridge Rd., Lakeshore • TheTamarackLodge.com Come Play and Stay - (559) 841-8289 - ShaverLakeVillageHotel.com Visit Us Online at ShaverLakeTimes.com Shaver Lake Times - page 3 Shaver Lake times Courtright Challenges Rock Free WiFi Jocks Familiar With Yosemite Courtright Reservoir is recognized and ‘Tiger By The Tail’ (5.11c) for great trout fishing, but is quickly Broken Tiers/Transformer Wall - ily a en Da t 7 a.m becoming a mecca for “rock jocks”. is down in the Helms Canyon, next to Op . Climbing enthusiasts will see the allur- the reservoir spillway, this wall seldom See the menu offerings at Breakfast, lunch and more! ing formation of Power Dome as they sees traffic due to loose rock. But there ShaverBlueSkyCafe.com (559) 841-7106 near the reservoir. It teems with a host are some selected routes that won’t dis- of 5-pitch, friction scare-a-thons. appoint: ‘American Pie’ (a 3 pitch, 5.9) Coffee • Espresso • Latte • Herbal Teas Hot Chocolate • Bagels • Beerocks • Crepes This “lost sister” to the well known and ‘Knappy Sack’ (a 50 foot 5.10a) Sandwiches • Salads • Soup • Shakes climbing area of Tuolumne Meadows Smoothies • Vegetarian Options • Waffles is located just two hours east of Fresno. Unlike the Yosemite experience, you In the Village Center behind Bob’s Market. Look for the Blue Building. won’t have to wait in line for a route. Scattered around the perimeter of Court- Take a Horseback Ride in the right are a myriad of domes and walls. Lost Canyon Wall - is east along the Beautiful Sierra Nevada Short Hair Creek featuring moderate, By Ed Delaney Spot Trips: You ride to your desti- wildly exposed climbs and some steep A vacation in the mountains is even nation. Your provisions are moved by and overhanging routes (5.7 to 5.11). more special when you spend an hour pack animal to your preferred location. Tiger Cage – is east, just a few hun- or two riding horses through the forest. The stock and packer return for you dred yards off Courtright Road, slightly “When I was a kid, my parents treat- on a predetermined date. You provide south of the reservoir, offering climbs Scaling the granite faces near the Courtright ed us to horseback rides. Then one your own camping gear and food. on a thin friction slab, steep face and Reservoir is becoming very popular for rock jocks. summer, they arranged for a family Continuous Hire: Your packer or cracks. Several anchors can be accessed Penstemon Dome - Some liken this backcountry horse riding trip.” packers and livestock stay with you. You on top for top roping most routes. to a classic backcountry dome with only “We climbed aboard our mounts provide your camping gear, provisions Tiger Wall - is next to Tiger Cage, a 15 minute approach. It is east of Punk and began a six day pack trip into the and meals, including for the packers. the 75 foot orange and black overhang- Dome. Most routes are steep friction/ Dinkey Creek Wilderness.” Inquire about these type of trips at ing Tiger Wall covers stout face and edging climbs or crack corners. “I had been camping and fishing. So Clyde Pack Outfit, Lost Valley Pack crack climbs ranging from mid 10’s to For more details on climbing, go to as a cocky kid, I figured I knew what to Station, High Sierra Pack Station, Muir burly 12’s. Try ‘Hungry Tiger’ (5.10b) ShaverLakeTimes.com/rock-climbing expect. Boy, was I wrong. The alpine Trail Ranch and D & F Pack Station. lakes, rushing streams, lush meadows, Shaver Stable is only offering hourly Ask About Our wildlife, granite formations and forest rides at this time.