Leon Turnbull Photography

This is called the Pool of Cold Fire. It is located on the North Fork of the North Fork American River. It is for sure a stunningly beautiful location, and this was my second time down there.

This hike was a sort of a good news, bad news. So let’s start with the good news.

Good news … This trail down to the North Fork of the North Fork American River in Blue Canyon is now open again to the public! I was ecstatic to learn this because a certain owner in Blue Canyon put up a gate on this public road, illegally blocking public access to this trail. The North Fork American River Alliance took him to court and won, forcing him to re-open the road to allow access to this historic trail. This actually happened awhile ago, but I just recently learned of the news (I’m always the last to know). So anyway, I was anxious to get down there again after a few years since I was first down in this beautiful canyon. This was very excellent news.

Bad news … I did not intend to shoot the Pool of Cold Fire again. I was actually hoping to get a bit further. (there are waterfalls further up the canyon). But the going was much tougher than I anticipated and I did not make it any further. I was a bit bummed, but I am not giving up. I think what I need next time is to take a small blowup raft so I can get past this pool without getting my camera gear drenched.

Good news … There were no mosquitoes.

Bad news … The gnats were absolutely awful, particularly on the hike back up. What was I thinking, going hiking in the American River canyon in August. I put mosquito juice on, but that did not help. I think it made things much worse.

Good news … I did not encounter any rattlesnakes. (I had heard reports that they are quite plentiful down here).

Bad news … I did encounter tons of poison oak. I sure did not remember there being so much oak down there before (or any, for that matter). I scrubbed myself thoroughly when I got home, and I am hoping I don’t get the itch this time.

Good news … I did get another nice shot of this incredibly magnificent pool. I waited for the morning sun to come down the canyon, reflecting in between the steep cliffs on each side of the pool. I sure love this spot. It is just so beautiful there.

Bad news … My tripod head broke. The screw knob which holds the ballhead in place fell off somewhere and was lost. So the ballhead was all wiggly and there was no way to tighten it. I was determined to get a shot though, so I used a screwdriver which I jammed against the tripod and was able to secure the ballhead enough so it would not wiggle around. It worked.