Three Ladies Redux

The weather being unusually toasty, seventeen of us returned to the easily accessed lakes at the pass, this time from the south. Present were: Clarence, Tiana, both Franks and Ellen, Priscilla, Marilyn S., Selma, Jim, Susan and Rod, Kim, Walt and grand daughter Nancy, Tammy, John and Elly. This time we decided to re-visit "catfish lake" on our way to the Ladies. They were there and once again we speculated on how they survived the winter freeze. Maybe they huddle in a bunch and only the interior ones survive. From there we hiked directly north climbing some steep rocks to get our bearings. Once we realized how close we were to Lake Angela, the trails became more obvious.

We decided to skip Angela for the finer lake: Flora. Five of us decided we really wanted to swim so the rest of the group went on to Azalea. We dipped and swam at least to the middle, except for Tiana who swam all the way across, got out on the flat rock, and jumped back in for her return. All of us were properly refreshed so that basking in the warm hot mountain air was delightful. We were surprised at how quickly the rest of the group returned. Ellen took a brief swim and we all had a leisurely lunch. A breeze picked up, crossing the lake and cooling us further and making us dread the return to the heat below.

On the way down we decided to cross-country over to the PCT. That led to a small peak that some of us HAD to climb. Tiana, Susan and Rod, Fran and Ellen, John, and Elly scrambled up and enjoyed the fabulous, breezy view from a little over 7 thousand foot Stewart Peak.

Suggestions for next week include the Loch Leven Lakes from the rough road that deposits you higher and closer; and Summit with extension on the Donner Rim Trail.

Mt. Lola

photo of group by Paula

It had been well over a year since the extended group did Mt. Lola. So our group of 5 (Paula, Tammy, Akiko, John, and Elly) filled our car at 7:30 and drove north of Truckee to find the trail again. It was easier this time, wending our way up the extremely dusty to trail to the fantastic meadow that helps feed Cold Stream. Once again the wildflowers were stupendous and continued to be at every flat wet area until the waterfalls. There we rested and ate lunch number one. Then up to the ridge - not as windy as the week before and up through the snow to the peak at 9148 feet, the highest in Nevada County. The peak, however, was plenty windy so we sat down in the shelter and ate lunch number 2. Some female hikers and their adorable toy poodle came along and sharedthe shelter with us. It was fun to see Castle and Basin Peaks where we had hiked the previous Wednesday. We hoofed it down pretty fast, amazed at each turn lower down that the car did not appear. Finally we made it only to be thwarted on the return ride by a long wait on 20 where they were still working!!

We had hiked just under 11 miles!! With an almost 3K elevation gain. Phew!

Wildflowers:

Ranger's Buttons or White Heads (members of the carrot family)

Crimson Columbine

Lupines

Alpine Lily

Corn Lily or False Hellebore

Mule's Ears galore

Buckwheats on top of mountain

Penstemons

Monkey Flowers - yellow and pink

Larkspur

etc.

I haven't heard from the other group. Did you do Mt. Judah Loop? Or do we do it next week?

Two Groups: Castle/Basin and Summit

Clarence reported that 9 hikers went to Summit Lake. They enjoyed weather that was autumn brisk, with gusty winds. They, at least, at had forest shelter. They, too report great vistas and a multitude of wildflowers. They decided to go to Mt. Judah next week. The extended hiking group will go all the way to Mt. Lola, another long hike with possible wind on the top. Since it is a fairly long drive to get there, we will leave at 7:30. It might be a good idea to email me if you plan to be on that hike.

Clarence's photos above.

Akiko, Paula, Becky, John, and Elly went up Castle Peak, over to Basin Peak, and sailed down cross-country to the incredible meadows above the PCT. Reports of high winds preceded our ascent both by word of mouth and the windblown hairdoos of returnees. We doggedly climbed our way up with our heads down, being careful to stay on the trail as the winds tried to blow us away. We ate our first lunch on the trail and the second up in the lee of the peak at the usual place. A chipmunk didn't seem to care about the winds as much as we did. Plants hugged the ground as they bloomed and reproduced in their flattened and hastened manner. Then we balanced ourselves along the ridge between the peaks getting a little help in the next ascent from the blow. On top of Basin Peak we ate again before we leaped cross-country down, down, down. Along the trail that leads to the calm PCT, the meadows were as lush as last year, even a grand display of white bog orchids among the paintbrush, lupine, pennyroyal, asters, cinquefoils, mule's ears, corn lillies, arrowhead butterweed (senecio), etc. The scent was divine and the scene, captivating. After enjoying some smooth granite, we headed over to the Peter Grubb hut and then, out.

John's GPS read 10.3, a little more than last year - maybe the wind had something to do with it. Our feet read about the same amount. We met a thru-hiker on the PCT:Tuolomne Meadows to Shasta. Guess he does about 500 miles of the trail (25 miles/day) each summer.

Zion Hill/Blue Lake

Bottom 4 photos from Clarence. I never know where they will end up - could be wrong again when it actually is "published".

Seventeen of us (Walt, Jo, Grace, Tiana, Paula, Frank Harpold, Barbara G., Marilyn N., Priscilla, Maureen, Jim, Clarence, Selma, Susan (Raub, hiked with us on an extended hike last year), Claudia, John, and Elly walked 6-7 miles depending on our routes. We parked below Blue Lake dam and walked up Zion Hill. The rocks were iron red and quite warm to the touch. We found we were not alone at the top, as some sort of flying insects were swarming to procreate or whatever, maybe hold a meeting. The view from the top was not only of Blue Lake, but Spaulding, Fuller, and Rucker. The Sierra was smokier and paler than usual but did clear up some as the day progressed.

From the top of Zion Hill, everyone except John, Elly, and Susan retraced their steps to Blue Lake, crossed the dam, and picked their way slowly along the rocks at water's edge. Tiana went ahead and took a quick dip. The renegade 3 let themselves down the steep hill, often by turning backwards and stepping down rocks and then wading through scratchy brush. Then they proceeded to hike the ridge between Spaulding and Blue Lakes - spectacular view as they went up and down the rock hills.

We met at the cabin on the ridge above the cleared area/shooting range. The dining table in the cabin was beautifully appointed with dining table and gorgeous chairs and a stupendous view. The bathroom facility was missing a place to sit and a hole but did have a spigot with running water. As we listened to the seranading chants of Mormon girls' camp below, we ate lunch on a shady platform above the house.

After lunch Jim led us up the ditch trail towards the petroglyphs but only 8 of us made it. The others had had enough hiking and headed home.

Next week a group up for an extended hike will climb Castle Peak, head to Basin Peak, hiking cross-country down to another trail that eventually ends up at the PCT and Peter Grubb Hut. All interested in this loop need to meet at 8 AM at the usual place.