Hot ride..

[Phil]

As I mentioned in another thread it has been unseasonably hot in my part of the world, in fact roasting.
I said we would stay in , but we thought we could escape the heat with a quick dash to the the higher altitudes.
A quick run down to Starkes Grade Road, a tiny rural road that heads up into the mountains.



It is home to small ranches & vineyards.

[MacHarry]

Nice pictures Phil keep them on going

Harry

[Chiefy]

Nice one Phil

[Phil]

When you get out of the hill country the land rises sharply.



The road soon starts to get rougher with less maintenance.



We are heading over the mountain to Slab Creek. The road was build in the 1920`s to carry construction materials for a small hydro-electric plant, & has hardly been maintained since by the feel of it!
After twenty odd miles we broke out of the forest close to the summit.

[Phil]

Downhill & after a few miles the view opens up on the left.



After almost a fricking hour here we are. Down to four thousand feet, & the small bridge over the river.



Upstream & you can see the penstock bringing the high mountain water to the electro plant. The river water comes down from Stumpy Meadows & Hell Hole (yes really)



Downstream some great swimming holes.

[kiwidave]

Hidden California.......i love these little peeks! thanks you guys

[Phil]

I just noticed the shirt!

[lawnmower]

nice pics Phil

[Phil]

Just to bore you all some more. Still VERY warm 11pm, went out to sit on the deck with Kat for a fag. Saw this over the roof of the garage.
Amazing....Huge due to the refraction from the hot air & some other reason (who knows?), put my arm up it was bigger than the spread of my hand. I wish the pic got more detail.

[BNM]

Great pics Phil .