American River Canyon/2 groups

(3 hikers are there)

Ten of us took Stevens Trail down to the American River for an 8 mile round trip 1500 foot elevation change. Grace, Priscilla, Karen, Jo, Akiko, Tami, Frank and Ellen, John and Elly hiked the long but beautiful trail down to the end. Some down and outers were camped there and glared at us through their bushy faces as we approached their campfire around which they were shivering in the shade. We greeted each other, exchanged panning jokes, and went further along the rocks to a couple of small sunny spots to enjoy the river during lunch. After lazing around in the sun for quite a while we figured the trail was not going to tip the other way and we would have to go uphill all the way back. Passing the panners, we were sure we recognized at least one of these hairy homeless fellows. Their camp was quite spread out with buckets everywhere and we didn't see any panning while we were there. Is there a better time of day to pan? On the way back up we explored a cave that was man made for reasons we couldn't figure out.


(Both photos by Frank who says that everyone is in the one to the left but 3 eager beavers are impossible to spot.)

The other group was made up of 5 hikers (Marilyn S., Selma, Mary, Jim, and Jan) who hiked 6 miles and looked quite pink when we all showed up at the meeting place at the same time. They had gone somewhere in the American Canyon, too.

Seeking gold (leaves), 15 hikers headed to the hills for color. Maureen, Tiana, Akiko, Selma, Laurie, Frank, Grace, Jo, Mary, Tami, Karen, both Marilyns, John, and Elly hiked 6 miles around Loney Meadow and up to the Lakes: Culbertson, and the Lindsays. We lolled around Culbertson and did it again at Lower Lindsay. The sun felt good but after a while, so did the shade. Most Aspens had turned partly gold and there were spectacularly yellow Maples at the beginning of Bowman Lake Road. Dogwoods were a red or yellow color in the dark evergreen forests.

Maureen was feeling particularly frisky and ventured far afield at both lakes to take pictures. We had to call her in from some distance at Cuthbertson. She looked like she was in the gold and I'll bet she has some great pictures.

The stream below Culbertson tested our mettle, being deep and swift with partially submerged unstable rocks and floating logs. ALL made it across without mishap even though they thought they couldn't make it and at least one vowed never to attempt such foolhardiness again her life.

We all miss the Stan, Barbara, and Clarence who could not make it due to treatment, mishap, and surgery. We are thinking of you and hope you all make it back soon.

I thought of a possible hike for next week: Frog Lake Overlook, for those who want. Any other ideas?

Tuesday ramblin'

Not able to make Wednesday, John and I hiked back up at the pass on Tuesday. We were only mildly surprised to find 3 inches of snow covering the PCT and figuring we would be okay as long as there was no more than 3 and it didn't ice up. We were in luck as we followed this beautiful trail up the rock face with its engineered switchbacks and easy grades. We passed under the chair lifts for Sugar Bowl, arriving a Roller Pass. The wind picked up and blew cold but at least there was no more snow, in fact in some areas it had been blown away.

John was determined to see this Benson Hut. But at 5 miles, there was no hut as advertised. We hiked further and further. No hut. Then John was sure he saw it on the very tippy top of Mt. Anderson. "A beautiful one." All I could see is trees which became more apparent as we hiked up to the bottom of the mountain.

We seached further, getting a little punchy as we approached the mountain. I teased him telling him, "there it is". Becoming teary eyed, he sighed, "Yes, there it is." Thinking he was playing my game, I agreed until I realized he was serious as he hiked cross-country straight up to the hut. Thank goodness it wasn't on the tippy top. Not at all. Satisfied, we could now have lunch. 2:15 PM.

After a quick lunch, we figured we ought to hoof it down before the trail froze. Luck was with us and the weather warmed instead of cooling off.

The hut was 6 miles each way and there was a 2280 foot elevation gain. A BEAUTIFUL hike - thanks to all of you who recommended it to us.

Lake Lola Montez

Quite a few hikers gathered Wednesday and immediately decided to split up into 2 groups: one going to Lake Lola Montez, and the other going to Malakoff Diggins.

Eleven of us (Maureen, Barbara B., Marilyn N., Akiko, Selma, Clarence, Jim, Tami, Cyndi, John and Elly) hiked the 3.5 miles up the dusty trail to spectacularly beautiful lake. Wouldn't you know it...looked like gorgeous swimming but chilly air! No sooner than he had eaten, Jim led Akiko to upper Lola Lake. Maureen headed off to explore the cliffs, and John, Elly, Cyndi, and Tami followed Jim and Akiko shortly thereafter. Pretty soon all return except the last group. Thinking they were just following the others, they used arms, legs, butts, shoulders, and fingernails to scale the boulders straight up following the ducks to the lake. After a while and some explored routes ("wait, I think I hear Jim and Akiko"), they doggedly followed John's GPS. They wondered why they were climbing a mountain higher than the advertised "jaunt of another 200 feet elevation gain" (Who said that, anyway??) to the higher Montez. It was finally in sight and the 4 bleary hikers were surprised to find no one there. Tami was sure she saw a road with tire tracks across the lake (and a cafe, too?) and wanted to explore an easier way down. But time was of the essense as we worried about our fellow explorers down at the lower lake. So, no water to drink/no cameras to record this second beautiful lake we carefully let ourselves down the cliffs, handing Cyndi's now useless hiking sticks from one to another.

Meanwhile, back at base (a beautiful chunk of granite that stuck into the lake), the rest of the group worried, blew a whistle, and called somebody's phone number (not mine). So when the errant group finally appeared, they were both relieved and pissed. Allowing no rest for the weary, the reunited group took off down the trail once again discussing the soporific National Park Show: the parts that we remembered seeing, anyway.

Thank you, Kim, for recommending this hike - not sure why you didn't come. No snow...lovely temperatures. And once again to Clarence for the pictures.

We seemed divided about next week: Some would like to continue with the high country while it is still passable. Others will definitely follow Jim for another Poorman's Creek hike out of Washington. The meeting time will change to 9 AM for that hike. The high country hikers would like your input on any options you would like considered. We have been thinking of either a ten mile round trip to Benson Hut along the PCT or the Frog Lake Overlook hike from the Boreal rest stop. Quite a few hikers who would normally make this trip can't next week and even we may have a time problem so we need your input.