China Camp Ramble (10/26/10)

(Dick Jordan was driving back from Santa Barbara during this hike, so Theresa Fisher kindly wrote this recap of the outing.  The photos are hers; click here to view more that she took during the hike.)

After experiencing the first Bay Area rain storm of the season, we all were happy that the skies had cleared the day prior to our first Tuesday Fall 2 hike, providing us with absolutely beautiful weather and dry trails. Although most of us were waiting at the Miwok Meadows parking area, Ted came to the rescue, driving up from Back Ranch Meadows, and let us know that we were supposed to meet at the “main entrance” (aka Back Ranch Meadows), beyond the campground kiosk. So we got back into our cars and retraced our tracks, parked along the street and took about a 7-minute walk into the appropriate gathering spot, meeting up with Stan, Ted, Lee, and Jean.

After welcoming “newbies,” Hanna and Julie, Stan passed out the “what to look for sheet” based on the “What Did We See” info. from previous hikes in the same area. After that we headed off, passed the mountain lion warning sign, some energized by the pre-hike walk but about 15 minutes later than scheduled.

Stan warned us that the first part of the hike was uphill and that a very short portion was steep. After about 15 minutes or so some of us started wondering what the definition of “very short” was. Oh yeah, that was only the “steep” part, not the “up” part. Finally, after gaining about 500 feet in ½ mile, we leveled off and were able to enjoy a mostly level walk for the duration of the hike.

Even though hikers have right-of-way over bikes, we occasionally made room on the side of the trails for the dozen or so bikers who passed us by, huffing along in their Lance Armstrong-like garb. Does anyone remember when bikers used to ride in “normal” clothes? Guess that’s not de rigueur anymore.

We passed marshland, manzanitas, madrones, bays, and oaks. There were lots of fresh looking goldback ferns along much of the trails and, of course, there had to be made one ceremonial “tattoo.”

Views to the south, overlooking Peacock Gap and beyond to “The City” prompted the removal of cameras from their respective pocket or cases for some shots of the vista.

At about 12:30, just as our stomachs began growling in earnest, we arrived at China Camp Village and were delighted to see Wendy and Bill. Wendy gave us a history lesson about the Village and told us to watch out for a certain plant that could be blooming, but we didn’t see it.

This area has a very interesting history. During the 1880s nearly 500 people  lived at China Camp Village, comprising of Chinese fisherman and their families, originally from Canton, China. Many originally came for the gold rush, then stayed to fish for grass shrimp. Over 90% of the shrimp they netted were dried and shipped to China or Chinese communities throughout the US. At one time there were three general stores, a marine supply store and a barber shop located here.

The camps thrived from the 1860s until the early 1900s, when declining catches and changes in laws governing the use of nets forced the fishermen out of the trade. The village later became a center for sport fishing. The area became a state park in 1977.

Wendy brought a great historical photograph of the area, complete with rows of 1930’s cars parked wherever possible. There’s a small but informative museum that helps tell the story of these hardy shrimp fisherman. Another fact: The Village was used extensively in the filming of the 1955 movie “Blood Alley” starring John Wayne. Maybe some of us will rent a DVD.

After lunch we hiked along the Shoreline Trail back to the starting point. Those of us who had parked along San Pedro Drive veered right prior to reaching this point, as a short cut to our cars.
This was a longer than usual hike. According to GPS data it began at 9:54AM, where we met, and ended at 2:44PM, at the cars parked off the street, for a total of 8.2 miles. Our feet and legs could tell it was longer than usual, as well. But no complaints.