Monday we drove to Pollock Pines where we met up with our personal tour guides of the El Dorado National Forest, our son and DIL, who have both worked there for years. My brother and his wife (our recent Mt. Diablo hiking companions) met us there too.

I have always loved the way the creeks run in this granite landscape. When we have been here in the spring and summer Big Silver Creek runs with a lot more water.

The theme today seemed to be ice. The day was relatively warm but the amount of ice on the still pools and in the shade indicated that it’s been cold at night.

Some of the ice was reminiscent of sparkly diamonds.

That prompted Matt to get down on one knee.

I can remember when water almost filled this area.

Matt brought his drone and took overhead videos.

Ginny is not a big fan of the drone. She barks at it and tries to chase it down.

Kaleena and Kirin in matching scarves.

Usually I take photos of flowers when we’re hiking, but it’s too late in the year now.

Like I said before, there were plenty of interesting ice shapes.

Why Matt thought it would be a good idea to get in the icy water, I have no idea.

I don’t know if invigorating is the right word for this ice bath.

Chasing Kaleena with icy hands.

After hiking further up the creek and hanging out on the granite it was time to head back. It was a lovely day in the forest.

On the way down the mountain we took a detour off of Ice House Road up to Big Hill, the lookout and helispot where Matt used to work. This photo was taken from Big Hill and is the view back to where we had been hiking. Bassi Falls is slightly above center and to the left, below that granite mound.

This is the view southwest. You can just make out the peak in the background, rising above the smog layer. That is Mt. Diablo, 150 miles away.

Looking northwest we could see the Coast Range in the background with the Sutter Buttes, about 130 miles away in the valley.

This is the same view looking east toward Bassi Falls, but is a panorama from stitching together three photos.