Penner Lake

The group divided in two: some going to the North Fork of the Yuba, others heading up 20.

Eight of us decided to see what the snow pack looked like heading up from Carr/Feeley Lakes, hopefully to Penner.  Our first hurdle was to cross the outlet of Feeley Lake which ran high enough to make crossing more difficult than usual.  Wading the road was possible if you didn't mind getting water in your boots, but hiking up to the dam meant crossing a big log which was not too bad with help.  From there we went up and onto mostly snowbanks on the other side of Feeley.  The trail habitually went under them and would often be a stream on the low side.  So over the snow we went, slishing and sloshing and sliding our way, trying desperately to stay upright as we searched for the trail this way and that.  Dave proved to be the master at this so he led us up to that small lake, this side of Island Lake.  Crossing the outlet on the snowbank was dicey as the snowbridge was thin in places.  Finally one of us fell through.  It was Tammy who, in her shorts, cotton socks, and non-waterproof shoes had one foot in the icewater outlet and the other on top of the snow.  Luckily she was game and went on with no complaints, squishing the water out with each step.

The snow hiking continued with some firm ground respite up to Island Lake.  It was all so beautiful with glacier lilies abounding.  A family was camping there.  Later when we returned,  the children were wearing jackets and warm woolen hats.  We could see the Grouse Ridge lookout and Black Buttes - it all looked so snowed in.  We figured the trail to Penner would be on a south-facing slope and hence, free of snow.  What we didn't figure on were the protected areas mostly around Island and Crooked Lakes.  Once again, lots of sliding around and trail hunting.  The steeper trail to Penner was relatively clear except for a few areas. Besides the drifts of glacier lilies, there were phlox, wallflowers, and penstemon. We were the only ones there and it was stunning.  Dave taught us about white chert rocks, which adorned the area of our picnic.

All the lakes had snow banks clear down to the water in some areas and ice floes.   Crooked Lakes were very large, and there were some "lakes" where no lakes had been seen before.  Some trails had turned to waterfalls and some trails were tunnels under snowbanks.  By noon a wind caused the build up of clouds, some very dark and threatening.  We ignored them and were lucky not to have to contend with rain (or snow?) on the return trip, as the air had turned rather chilly. We took a nice break on the peninsula at Island Lake, enjoying the views and warm rocks.  The 7.5 mile hike was difficult and had taken much longer than usual but was lots of fun.

Pictures by Maureen and Elly