On my way home from Clear Lake in March of this year I paused alongside Highway 128 to shoot a few photos of the lower part of Putah Creek, where it exits Lake Berryessa (I published more images of Putah Creek in April, seen here). The landscape on both banks was lush and green, making it a tempting spot to stop for a hike or picnic. This past week, we ventured up the north-west shore of Berryessa and found Pope Creek. While the prolonged rainy season has brought out thick greenery and wildflowers here, the destruction from the LNU Complex wildfire in 2020 still covers the hills above Pope Canyon.

Putah Creek, March 2023

Pope Creek, May 2023

Dark skies — Pope Creek just above the lake

Wide mouth of the creek