Little Lewis Canyon ( FT 239A)-Lincoln National Forest

 It was a blustery morning as we set out for the upper trailhead of FT 239A at the top of Little Lewis Canyon. Clouds, both dark and forbidding and invitingly white, raced through the sky as raindrops sprinkled here and there.
 We drove out like we had the previous day: first to Weed on NM 24 and then onto FR 171. This time we passed FR 255 and drove about a mile further where we got onto FR 265. This was a narrow lane which changed from dirt (with mud and ruts in the low spots) to good gravel as it followed scenic Hughes Canyon with its large oaks in full autumn color and beautiful clearings among the pines and firs. Eventually we drove out of the canyon to the north where there were few rough spots in the road before quickly reaching the Little Lewis Trailhead at the top of the ridge.

 Soon we were hiking east on the old road that serves as the trail through colorful low growing oaks that have taken over fire scarred areas. The open terrain on top allowed for long distance views in three directions.

The trail climbed slightly onto a small hill with widely spaced conifers before beginning its descent  into Little Lewis Canyon via a couple of switchbacks.

 Because of fire activity in the not too distant past, its remote location, and drier environment, Little Lewis Canyon has a raw, wild feel and look that I associate more with Black Range in the Gila National Forest than with places in the Sacramentos.

 As we descended, oak leaves fluttered like butterflies in the wind, and butterflies fed at the pale purple thistle flowers. There is only intermittent shade along the primitive trail, but the clouds kept us from overheating ourselves or our Scotties. On south facing slopes above us, junipers that had been scorched brown were still surviving with greened branches in their upper reaches. On the north facing slopes, the oaks had taken over the hillsides, although the occasional fir or spruce that had survived the burn still would stand tall and lush.

The streambed itself began to run in the bedrock and there may be places where water was seeping, but the bank sides were a bit too steep to invite easy exploration. At about 2.5 miles in we rested and ate in a forest of pines that seemed to be mostly unscathed by fire. Then we turned around to head back. We had come down over 800 feet, and unfortunately on the way back up the clouds didn't cooperate as much keeping the sun off of us as they had on the way down. So, we rested and drank more frequently and got back to the 4 Runner in good order.
Note: these trail is open to most users (bikes, motorcycles, ATVs, horses etc.), but we never saw anyone. We didn't see any cows either. These add up to a definite bonus in the Sacramentos.