Two Peaks
There were only 3 of us who climbed Castle and Basin Peaks, John and I and Akiko. We hiked a total of 9.5 miles with an elevation gain of over 3 thousand feet. Akiko and I, being so short, took it sufficiently slowly to not wear ourselves out. The clouds and wind were plentiful, keeping us quite cool and comfortable, if a bit windblown. After an odd (our realtor managed for get a hold of us) but spectacular lunch on top of Castle Peak, we hiked along a narrow ridge to Basin Peak at 9015 feet. This circumvented having that hairy Castle Peak descent with all that loose rock. We could see incredible views all directions as we made our way over rocks and around sheer drop-offs on the so-called trail. From Basin Peak we made our way down a sand/pebbly hill cross country to a trail that would take us down to the PCT. It traversed lush colorful meadows with the usual bushes, corn lily, paintbrush, monkey flowers, and fragrant pennyroyal but also at one wet area, that appeared to have a big stand of small white orchid on spikes. (I forgot to look it up and am on the road now.) We joined the PCT near the Peter Grubb Hut where we met a father and 11 year old son backpacking their last section to finish up a multi-year effort to hike the whole trail. After a second lunch at Castle Pass, we were ready to be finished and hustled the last two miles down the dirt road to the car.
From Frank:
5 1/2 miles hiking from beautiful Blue lake to the petroglyphs above Fordyce Creek and only a little more than 300 feet of climbing. Throw in nice cool weather, crystal clear views and it was a great day to be enjoying the high country. 11 of us (Clarence, Ellen, Frank, Karen, Laurie, Mary, Maureen, Priscilla, Selma, Stan and Tiana) all survived the roads up to Blue Lake and were treated to the views below.
(You will have to go to his website to see these -http://users.gotsky.com/fran )
(You will have to go to his website to see these -http://users.gotsky.com/fran )
All Blue Lake Photos by Clarence.
From Clarence:
No wonder they named it Blue Lake. It really lives up to it's name.
Frank and Ellen led the hike today for 11 of us. We all wanted to see the petroglyphs. They were the only ones of us that had seen them before. The unpaved road was rough, but also short. You could not ask for better weather.
As F & E promised the trail was EZ and scenic. Along the lake, then following an abandoned water ditch for most the way.The destination was a spectacular panoramic view, and of course the Indian markings. Plenty of petroglyphs.(See Photos) After the lunch and "photo op", we headed back. We stopped and snooped around someone's construction project, of a remote cabin on a hilltop. I'm jealous !
A good summary of the hike would be "Short and Sweet". We will go back again.
I have a suggestion for the 8:30 group next week. On Bowman Rd. Lang crossing @ the Yuba River, to Lake Spalding. Other ideas are welcome. See ya, C M
Frank and Ellen led the hike today for 11 of us. We all wanted to see the petroglyphs. They were the only ones of us that had seen them before. The unpaved road was rough, but also short. You could not ask for better weather.
As F & E promised the trail was EZ and scenic. Along the lake, then following an abandoned water ditch for most the way.The destination was a spectacular panoramic view, and of course the Indian markings. Plenty of petroglyphs.(See Photos) After the lunch and "photo op", we headed back. We stopped and snooped around someone's construction project, of a remote cabin on a hilltop. I'm jealous !
A good summary of the hike would be "Short and Sweet". We will go back again.
I have a suggestion for the 8:30 group next week. On Bowman Rd. Lang crossing @ the Yuba River, to Lake Spalding. Other ideas are welcome. See ya, C M
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