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I just got back from a great trip to Pinecrest Lake. Since it's in the Stanislaus National Forest, sites are only $10.50 per night with a senior card, no hookups. There's a great area set off for swimming and a marina with all types of boats, kayaks, etc. to rent or use your own. From what I heard there's good fishing although I don't fish. One morning I watched two falcons or hawks soaring above and then diving down and coming up with a fish in their talons. Then they would fly up into the trees presumably to drop the fish off to their hungry babies and come back for more over and over. As the crow flies, the lake's not far from the huge "Rim Fire" currently only 2% under control in the northwest portion of Yosemite. The mornings were beautifully clear, but as the winds changed and the temperature inversion lowered it became very smokey. This morning all the parked vehicles were covered with small white ash and larger black pieces (some the size of a quarter). A state of emergency has now been declared as fire fighters have actually lost ground in their attempt to control it.

I also decided to drive about 20 miles farther up the road to take a look at the cabin designed by my father and built by hand (no power tools) by both my parents. My dad was an aeronautical engineer (aka "rocket scientist") for over 30 years for NASA and could build anything. The construction was done over a period of several summers in the late 40's. I remember many a summer spent there and running free all over the mountains. I was so happy today to see it looked as good as the day they completed it! Anyone who may have thought it would have crumbled in the last almost 70 years obviously didn't know my parents. It made me so happy to see it and brought back many wonderful memories.

Here are a few pictures:

Pinecrest Lake in the am before the smoke came in

The trail my pups and I took around the lake

Sunset through the smoke

Another view of the smoke in the area

Cabin my parents built and where I spent some very good times as a kid

What we called "Flat Rock" on the Stanislaus River about a 3-minute walk from the cabin and where we bathed in the snow-melt water (think VERY cold even on a hot summer day)


Thanks for accompanying me through pictures to a beautiful area and bearing with me as I reminisce about the old days .
Sandi

Beautiful lake & area, really neat that you were able to visit the cabin & all the memories.

How beautiful an area - too bad about the smoke. Hope it didn't make breathing difficult, too.

Love that the cabin is not only still there, but looking so beautiful. Is it privately owned still? Someone is obviously taking good care of it to this day. Great to be able to see that. And thanks for sharing those memories with us.

love the cabin! it looks soooooooooo cozy! ive always wanted one! in great shape too!!!

Thanks for posting!

The photos and the story were GREAT!! I really enjoyed it. Makes me want to hurry up and get on the road myself.

Anne

that really looks like a nice area...love the looks of the lake
reminds me of some at the base of the Tetons
How neat that the cabin is still in such good conditions
sheila

Love the cabin! I bet it was bittersweet seeing it! And that's a beautiful area - hope they get the wildfire under control before it all goes up in smoke - literally!

Glad you got to make the Pinecrest trip! Sorry about the smoke though.

Sandi, thanks for sharing your pics. The cabin is a real tribute to your parents.

Nikki

what a lovely area, hope they get the fire out soon so it doesn't burn that beautiful area and that beautiful cabin.

Beautiful area and what a great place to grow up and make memories!

Thanks for the trip report, Sandi! What a beautiful cabin, I bet you had a ball there as a kid. How wonderful that it's still in such good shape. Did you kayak on that beautiful lake? Could I get Hope into that cg?

Thanks for all your replies. The cabin is still in private hands Beth, and I think by the same family that bought it from my parents. It WAS bittersweet Maggie. Actually brought some tears to my eyes just wishing I could go back to a simpler time with no cares. I didn't take my kayak this trip Sharon as my plan was to try and find a pesky water leak into the rear storage of my RV. Not sure how long Hope is, but the limit is 30'. They do have lots of parking there for RVs for day use. I too hope they're able to get control of the fire. All of the Sierra is so beautiful it's a shame to see any of it go up in flames.
Sandi

Beautiful place to enjoy the moment and the memories.