Douglas Creek is one of many small creeks that come directly
from the high-country snowmelt and natural springs. It is our drinking water
for our cabin in Stanislaus National Forest, located at 6,700 ft. where the
water is delivered by gravity flow. After passing by our cabin it enters the South
Fork of the Stanislaus River, which begins at (9,635 ft. (2,937 m) Leavitt
Peak, in Tuolumne County and eventually enters the San Joaquin River, and
drains into the San Francisco Bay.
This little mountain stream and river have sustained life
well beyond our time. There are parts of wagons used by the settlers trying to
cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There are obsidian points from the Miwok Native
American tribe and grinding stones. The tiny stream banks are lined with
willow, horsetail herb, mints, orchids, and many other wildflowers. As a child
I wandered where ever I wished, with the caveat that, if lost, head downhill. I
have slept outdoors with bear and mountain lions as possible visitors. Deer
have taken a nap beside me. Chipmunks and Golden Mantle squirrels have sat in
my hands. I trust the four- legged critters but keep a wary eye on the two
legged.
Climate Change is changing our landscape quickly. We had to
saw down six large beautiful Ponderosa trees this year alone. They are dying at
a rapid rate, from bark beetles (love the heat), and a fungus, which spreads
from fir tree roots. This was all predicted by a U.C. Berkeley scientist that
wrote about how pollution affects the photosynthesis process, especially in the
Ponderosa Pines. I watched a fire burn this summer across the river, tree
torches burning brightly in the night.
Denise Hartley
