Big Loop through Sand Ridge Trail cut-off

above from Clarence

18 of us started up Castle Valley trail but at the Andesite trailhead, 4 headed out on their own shorter hike. Both Marilyn's, Stan, and Clarence went up to Castle Pass, up to Andesite...down the ridge towards us a ways, and then back to the PCT partway to the hut. They stopped along the trail for lunch, apparently met many hikers, and one with an ambitious plan: Mexico-Canada.

So 14 of us headed up Andesite to the shoulder where we could hail the others when they had reached Castle Pass. We hiked along the steep-sided ridge, Hole in the Ground Trail, admiring new flowers (a pink onion - Allium, a delicate, striped five-petaled purple flower that I can't identify, brown lilies (I think)) and old favorites such as Mule's ears snow plant, and Corn Lilies. We admired the view from the ridge of Castle Peak and the valley. As we descended from the shoulder of Andesite we repeatedly went from snow-packs to easier hiking back down to the Lower Castle creek crossing near the Sand Ridge trail. Luckily, a large tree had fallen across the minor torrent, allowing us to cross handily. Just on the other side we stopped among the shaded boulders for lunch by the cold, deep stream. After the usual animated conversations, we headed over to the Sand Ridge Lake Trail that led up to the PCT in Round Valley and then down to Peter Grubb Hut. We passed some beauiful old pine trees - reddish bark and just 2 needles - Lodgepole Pine? At PG Hut we availed ourselves of the composting facility before heading up the trail to Castle Pass. The return to the car was in 2 groups - ours went by the PCT which was so full of wonderful flowers. Crossing the stream at the bottom of Castle Valley was difficult but we were so close to the cars that Becky, Jo, John, and I waded with our boots on, eventhough the water was pouring over them, while Tammy crossed barefoot. The other group was Jim, Maureen, Priscilla, Tiana, Akiko, Selma, Frank Harpold, Jeff, and new hiker, Claudia. We had covered 8.5 miles!

Next week we will go on a WEDNESDAY hike, putting off the night Squaw hike until the following month when the moon will rise earlier after the sunset. That will be August 22 or 23, Sunday or Monday, and won't interfere with a Wednesday hike. Penner Lake appears to be the hike of choice so hopefully, we will be able to swim! Also let's hope there aren't too many snow banks to cross as it's one step forward and one slide back...ie, slow-going. Guess we should bring crampons.