Roxanne and I took my folks up to Humbug Valley for a "four hour picnic" that lasted eight, due to my optimistic short cuts. From 2400 feet at Feather River Canyon (hwy 70) to 4800 feet straight the heck up out of Belden on a rock fire road in my sedan.

Mom was not phased.

Negotiating a 7 mile road (Jeep Trail) to southern Humbug, and forced back. The out of date quad sheet that teased us was our salvation, as we followed topos to hug new fire roads that went east to "Crablouse Valley" then back, nervousely watching the gas guage the whole time.

Entering the southern edge about a half mile from the Yellow Creek Campground.

A natural soda spring ...

And a giant weather vane made of car parts. My dad identified the hood as a Studebaker.

Have to show off this picutre of picture perfect Sierra Red Ferns busting earth. At one point we took a wrong turn, and got shot at twice, then twice again upon leaving. So no pictures of that! Dang hillbillies.

We decided to roll craps on the way home ... over another iffy road many miles to Inksip above Paradise.

Here we are on a losing detour to a burned/clearcut moonscape, pushing 6000 ft. The folks are still cool with it all (I have some cool folks).

We had no idea we would hit snow, but the 6700 ft Humbug Peak was on the way home. This was a total seat of pants tour. After getting out we looked back at a 'ROAD CLOSED' sign. Ha Ha!