The previous blog entry mentioned the Fall Creek section of Henry Cowell where we've been working can be warmer than Big Basin, about eight degrees warmer on average. Because of this we had already decided we would consider cancelling a workday for safety reasons if it looked like the day would be too hot. The new strategy didn't have to wait long to be tested as the forecast for our July 10th workday called for a high temperature of 103, so we decided it would be best to cancel the work.
Last weekend there were records recorded in Vancouver BC of 115F, Portland of 115F, and Death Valley broke the old record by 2F with a high reaching 130F. The prediction of 103F at Fall Creek on 7-10 was not far off with temperatures at a nearby weather station recorded 84.4F at 8:30 and by noon 101.6F with the temperature reaching 103.2F at 14:30. The canyon had to be warmer and must have been like an oven.
East Waddell Creek
Big Basin wasn't much cooler, with a forecasted high of 96, but the hot weather reminded us how nice it was to work the Last Chance Trail in Basin on a warm summer day. Not only was it probably the coolest trail in the park (and a lot cooler than Fall Creek), it was also the prettiest trail as it followed East Waddell Creek as it flowed toward Woodwardia Falls.
Another reason to miss Big Basin on a hot summer day!
American Dipper cools off in East Waddell Creek along Last Chance Trail
Cool Pool
by Mike and Jeff
photos by: Janette, Mike, and Jeff