Toddler on a Trail

Toddler on a trail-- sounds like Fiddler on the Roof?
Well, the latter was a musical based on a book written by Joseph Stein 110 years ago. Whereas, the former-- the toddler, is a real life story.

It is about Mana-- a two year old toddler who very sportingly completed a four-mile (6.4 kms) trail around a lake at 5600 ft above MSL in California. That's why the name 'Toddler on a Trail'. And those readers who are worried about 'child labour', just relax. It was a family hike and not a commercial activity.

Just in case you have missed our previous post on Picturesque Pinecrest, click here. It gives you a pictorial tour along with details of the location, reservations and camping facilities. 

This picture story set around the Pinecrest Lake in California, USA, portrays how the toddler took us on a trail. Mana the toddler slept, woke up, hiked, sat down, again slept but neither cried nor gave up! She showed us how a two year old can be a leader!

We had earlier shared the exploits of another two-year old Anuva, our grand daughter. We guess, the era belongs to them.

Now Toddler on a Trail for you.

Those discerning readers who have a question 'Why not steel' for utility poles, get your answer. 

Special thanks are also due to Mana's parents Satyam and Anchita who live in California. You guys rock! Keep hiking.
And yes, Ghumakkad's outing would not have been possible without Ankur our son-in-law and Akanksha,  our daughter and family who also reside in California.

Hope you enjoyed the trail as much as Ghumakkad did last summer.
More on California's flora would follow.

Thanks for browsing.

   Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 24th June 2015

Picturesque Pinecrest

Pinecrest Lake California- An ideal camping site.



4th of July is USA's Independence Day. It is observed as a long weekend with all offices closed. Schools are already closed for summer recess. Last summer, we camped at the Pinecrest Lake during the 4th of July weekend with Ankur and Akanksha, their friends and children. This is the picture story of all the friends and the camping.

Location: Pinecrest Lake is approx 240 kms (150 miles) north-east of the Bay Area in California. It is a 3-hour drive. See map from Milpitas where we were staying.

Facilities: It has 300 camp sites with independent grill-cum-campfire ring, table, benches, and camping ground. No electricity. Piped water and rest rooms at walking distance. An amphitheatre for screening movies. On-line booking with US Department of Agriculture website.


The Lake: Situated at 5600 ft above MSL, it is a 300 acre lake in Stanislaus National Forest with Strawberry Dam on its western side. Managed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the dam feeds a hydro electric station built in 1913. The department of fisheries periodically populates the lake with rainbow trout for fishing. The lake has an easy four mile (6.5 kms) trail for walking. The lake is surrounded by pine and connifer trees. The lake has a marina for hiring motor boats/kayaks/pedal boats/party boats. It also has a ramp for jettisoning/hooking the trailers for motor boats. See sketch below.

We drove from Milpitas in Tesla, an all electric car. Let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Hope you enjoyed being part of the camp. The Pinecrest lake does remind us of similar sites in the Himalayas in India. But the camping facilities for the public are lacking. Of course for those who can afford, most hill stations in India have enough resorts. But staying in a tent with no electricity has its own charm. Like Ghumakkad's friends from the military would say "Oh, we have slept in the jungles/tents all our life!" They are a blessed lot.

In the next part we will take you on Pinecrest National Recreation Trail with a toddler. If the toddler could do it, you sure can!

Thanks for browsing.

     Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 18th June 2015