Anderson Marsh State Park remains one of my favorite spots to visit in Lake County, although I sometimes have trouble finding the perfect time to hike there. It seems that either the air is too hot and dry for a long march across the open grasslands or the ground is too muddy or even flooded for the trek out to the McVicar Audubon Sanctuary. I shot these photos in March 2022, and high water was not the problem. I had started my hike about 9 AM, and the morning sun beat down rather brutally so that I was relieved to finally reach the shade — such as there was — of the mostly bare oak trees. Once I crossed the ridge, I kept hoping to reach the lakeshore; but with the temperature still climbing, I chose not to leave the relative shade and go wading through dried weeds. One of these days maybe I’ll tackle this hike on a cool, dry, and overcast day.

The south end of Clear Lake, from the trail

“In memory of Richard Turz, M.D.”

Lava rock on the leaf-littered trail

A view of orchards