For
campers unfamiliar with mountains, Bigfood is low on worry list By
REX BURRESS
Article Launched: 04/20/2008 10:44:53 PM PDT
If
you go to camp this year, watch for Bigfoot.
At
Oakland Camp near Quincy, there is/was a sign on a tree declaring "Bigfoot
Claim." The sign was an indication of a gold mining claim, operated for years
by a retiree who spent the summer there in his RV while scuba diving with a floating
dredge in quest of gold. I'm
not sure if he actually saw Bigfoot, but in the Feather River foothills there
is an emergence of Sierra granite in the form of Bald Mountain where a Bigfoot
— a hairy, upright creature called "Uino" allegedly lived, according
to Indian lore, and they avoided the mountain. The
gold miner was friendly and gave tours of his operation, and even showed a pint
jar partially filled with gold nuggets. "Don't make enough to pay my expenses,"
he confided. However, U.S. Forest Rules allows a claim worker to park free for
several months. Although
Bigfoot hasn't been proven, there are to some, scary things in the mountains,
especially for those unfamiliar with the woods. First-time campers from the city
are rather shocked by the intensity of the night darkness and the vividness of
bright stars. I've
known of kids from the city and its everlasting lights to not only be scared of
the dark, staying bunched together and clinging to their flashlights, but equally
apprehensive of the daytime environment. One boy burrowed into his sleeping bag
with his flashlight on all night. I
once guided kids from Telegraph Hill in San Francisco at Camp White Sulphur Springs
on nature hikes, and they were scared not only of insects and birds, but any shadowy
place held unseen horrors for their imaginations gone wild. Imagine explaining
a gopher snake to them. If
you are alert, "things that go bump in the night" are very likely to
be heard. Most of the mammals are nocturnal and prowl about in the dark looking
for food, which usually doesn't include mankind. Raccoons, opossums, woodrats,
coyotes, foxes, bobcats and mountain lions are especially tuned to the night,
although deer can be seen in the daytime at times. One
of the most interesting night creatures that may indeed go bump onto the side
of a tree is the flying squirrel. This diminutive glider with large dark eyes
is exceedingly cute, and most people don't even know they live in the camp environment,
since they sleep in tree crevices during the daytime. Often
the initial challenge of a naturalist is to allay people's fears about the forest
and chaparral environment. Being alert about not tripping and falling on the uneven
ground is important. There are no sidewalks at camp — or streetlights. Outdoor
hazards are at a minimum, with no poison oak at 3500-foot Oakland Camp, and only
one poisonous snake. Just don't nibble on any berry, leaf or mushroom as some
of those are toxic, although the naturalist can show you good things to sniff.
If you see Bigfoot,
let me know, because I haven't seen one yet, other than a few size 15 shoes and
a few bear's feet! "Come
forth into the light of things; let nature be your teacher." | 
