7. Sherman Chickering ranch, Soda Springs, American River. July 6, 1978 Packed up our gear at Sagehen and closed the cabin. Did a bit of shopping in Truckee and had lunch before heading for Soda Springs. Arrived there at 2:30 PM. Sherman put us up in the big old Chickering mansion, since his guest quarters were out of commission -- the heavy snow had crushed the porch and severed the plumbing. Another guest, Eleanor B. and her son Max were in the Mark Hopkins cabin. Started to rain and hail about supper time and some lively lightning with it. Kept storming half the night and enough water fell to raise the level of the river considerably. July 7, 1978 After breakfast I set out to fish the American River above the falls. Worked my way up for four hours without catching a fish big enough to eat. The high flow and low temperature (still lots of snow melt) turned the trout off. I quit finally at 2 PM, a mile or so above the Bailey property. When I started out this morning I encountered a fine 4-point buck just above the Alan Chickering house. Also a small doe. Saw deer tracks all day but no more animals.