If you can’t see the photos, go here: cabinart.net/blog. By now you know that I go to Mineral King almost every week, balancing time up and down the hill, consistently showing you Mineral King things on Fridays. Because this is the World Wide Web, I don’t publish my schedule, or tell you when I am away. (Of course I trust you, Faithful Blog Reader, but who knows how many bad guys might be waiting to steal my beloved Fernando, a ’96 Honda Accord with 240,000 miles on it, while I am in Mineral King??)

We finally had a few quiet days in MK, without scheduled events, cabin neighbors*, broken water lines, parking troubles, and hordes staring at our cabin as they tromped past.

Here is a peek into a quiet few days with my usual commentary.

This is Hoopes Sneezeweed, an odd name for a flower that looks blown out even when newly blooming.

The split wood was getting low.

The Honeymoon Cabin, a mini-museum for the Mineral King Preservation Society, has new steps, thanks to super volunteer and MKPS board member Dan V. and his capable assistants. (Hi R and A! Sorry to have missed you.)

Random people enjoy fishing below the Honeymoon Cabin. 

From left to right: hatchet, ax, bigger ax. Good tools for a somewhat peculiar and very practical hobby.

We walked up to Black Wolf Falls, which I think of as Monarch Falls because it is on Monarch Creek.

Trail Guy was ahead of me while I was oohing and ahhing over my favorite wildflower, Explorer’s Gentian.

There is a mining tunnel by the falls. I didn’t go in this time. Seen one dark dripping tunnel, seen ’em all.

This might be the very best Grass of Parnassus I have seen yet. It is the first time I’ve seen them at Monarch Falls. What’s up with that balanced rock? I resisted the urge to knock it over because I am very mature about such things. While in Oregon, I made a new friend who was struggling to knit this sweater. The instructions were ridiculous, so I found a way to make it for her without following a pattern. It is now on its way back to Oregon so my friend can have the joy of completion.

Please admire this beautiful arrangement of my tools, brought to you by Tool Guy. Oops, I mean Trail Guy.We headed up the canyon for an easy walk, and I got sidetracked by the light on this horse. 

There is an island in Crystal Creek where it crosses the trail that is a little flower garden.

This is Sierra Gentian, a cousin of my favorite, Explorer’s Gentian.

Trail Guy led us to a spot where there used to be a cabin. I found this nail to be intriguing, because it is a modern nail next to a historic site. Besides, the light was good.

Can you tell that this is a man-made platform? There are no log cabin corners, but it definitely is a place where a cabin once stood.

How did Trail Guy recognize it while looking at this view? He’s just good that way.

I think these are called Common Madia. However, yellow flowers do tend to look alike. (Anyone know of a good Mineral King wildflower book?)

This is a tiny pink flower I have never seen before. The blossom looks like Wire Lettuce (nope, not making that up) but the foilage is clearly different, more like a shrub.

Thus we conclude another random ramble through our favorite place, Mineral King. (The road is very very terrible, in case you were wondering, but 4-wheel drive isn’t necessary.)

*We love our neighbors but it certainly is quiet without them around.