Frog Lake Overlook/Summit Lake

Notice - many of our group have decided to hike Castle Peak/Basin Peak loop next week.  That is a long hike with some steep climbs. Therefore, those who are interested will meet at the regular place at 8 AM.  It would help if you emailed me about whether you were coming in order to arrange any rides to the Sutton Way meeting place for those in need. 

Our group of nine parked at Boreal and hiked through the tunnels under the freeway up to the Summit Lake cut-off, right after a lush meadow.  We bid our comrades good-bye as they gave us piteous looks.  We knew what we were in for: steep trail that was nothing but "up".  What we didn't know was that all the meadows we had hitherto done on this hike in previous years, were totally in bloom due to the snow that still lay about here and there.  Lucky us!  Gorgeous meadows one right after the other all the way to the overlook.  Lupines, penstemons, arnicas, mule's ears, deep red paintbrush as well as lighter varieties.  Corn lillies as high as we were and that mystery plant of last week: Alpine Knotweed (thank you, Darlene).  Deep magenta Elephant heads were at one stream location while columbine continued in wet areas as well.  Fireweed, 2 gilias: Scarlet Gilia and Slender-tubed skyrocket.

The views were made more stupendous as storm clouds were gathering southeast of us lighting the sky above us with that liquid blue with an occasional wisp of white.  After lunch we hiked up the knob towards Castle Peak, looking down in the valley with the unseen Warren Lake beyond.  That trail was quite impacted by snow.

On the way down we ran across a couple of elderly gentleman whom we had seen at FLO.  They regaled us with tales of hiking over the last 40-50 years.  One was 87!! and had very long legs.  Oh that we all could hike that many years.

FLO is at 8640' elevation so we gained about 1400 feet and hiked 8 miles round trip.

All pictures by the talented and crafty Maureen, who hikes, hides, and snaps.



Summit Lake Group (Clarence):

We circled Summit lake and then went on to the Donner Rim Trail. The trail (road) went downhill too much so we retreated to the pretty lake for our lunch. The wildflowers in the meadow were exceptional .

Loch Leven by back door

 Ten hikers endoured the Huysink Lake dirt road back 8-9 miles to Salmon Lake trailhead toward Lower Loch Leven.  One of the most popular spots in  the Sierra, it had attracted quite a few hikers, including a large group of campers at Middle L.L.   We ate there at Middle L.L. as the campers appeared headed toward Upper L.L.

While we were relaxing, a huge plane, an airforce C-17 transport, suddenly appeared and at a very low elevation, flew the length of the lake.  It must have been on training exercises but it sure shook us up as it banked left and appeared to go down the American River Canyon.  Peter sent a picture that you can access at http://www.wpclipart.com/armed_services/airplanes/airplanes_1/c17.jpg

 After singing to Selma - whom, it seems, spends her birthdays at Loch Leven, we headed out through the beautiful meadows, slick rocks, stupendous views, and fallen forests to endure the road back down the mountain. 

Next week we have talked about Frog Lake Overlook but are open to suggestions. 

http://www.wpclipart.com/armed_services/airplanes/airplanes_1/c17.jpg

Most pictures by Maureen.

3 hikers report in

from Peter:
Hiking from the turn off at Boreal, Dave lead 9 of us up in search of Sand Ridge Lake. We had great views of Castle Peak, from two directions, it seemed. The hike was complete with mini-glaciers, corn lilies, and even a few mountain bikers. After being unable to find the trail to Sand Ridge Lake, we had lunch and headed back. It might have been a bit far in any event. (Sand Ridge is now renamed into Lost Lake, or maybe Dave's Lost Lake) We probably hit 8000 feet elevation along the way; a nice hike. And no GPS with us; it's a miracle we made it back!
from us:
We went around Island Lake with my sister and her boyfriend - told them we would lead them on a 2 mile round trip due to their not being true hikers.  But we took a 3.5 mile detour that took us around the lake due to a desire to escape the mosquitoes at Crooked Lakes.  The going was challenging, involving many steep rock climbs and descents.  Needless to say, she was furious...but did admit it was quite beautiful. 

from Jo Wamser:
Aug. 4
Greetings -
Post-lunch in Warren Canyon. New (for me) trail - east side, below Tioga Pass, about 9,000 ft, off Hwy 120 - full of flowers including orchids, giant larkspur!  Weathered 4 days of rain in good spirits - Now back to blue skys and sun.
Joy in the mountains -
Jo

Loney/Bowman/Rock Lake Loop

Eleven of us went across the meadow, past the old milk barn, and then followed Jim Ward on his short cut to the trail that circles Bowman Mountain.  We lost the short cut and had to bush whack through bushes to get our bearings but the going was fun and required more of us than blindly following a marked route.  We skirted Bowman Mountain, finally getting the view of views: Lassen, Sierra Buttes, and Bowman Lake.  Lovely with wildflowers crazy all over, trying to reproduce before the weather sets in again.  Vistas continued as we got to the lake that we wanted to stop at last year. It's snow pack, waterfalls, blue lake color, and iron rock did not disappoint.  But once again we wanted to get to Rock Lake before we stopped. Watch tree was a disappointment: watches are disintegrating (weather? vandalism?).  Oh well. We descended and then climbed steeply until the trail to Upper Rock Lake.  Which was LOVELY in it's quiet, pristine state.  No hail like last year.  No swimming, either.  And no snow anywhere.  We relaxed for quite a while in the shade, telling tales of Alaska and such.

The trip back was relatively easy with more flowers, especially columbine along Texas Creek.  The copse of aspens somewhat higher than Loney Meadows was unbelieveable in the late afternoon breeze.  Corn lilies where sometimes 6 feet high.  Sweet fragrances permeated the atmosphere almost all day.  Lupine, lilies of all kinds, aster family represented with various yellow arnicas and mule's ears.  Blue stickseed, purple larkspur, pink mallows, phlox, red paintbrush, orange alpine lilies.  Cinquefoil and buttercups.  Penstemon and pretty face and pine drops.  Unbelieveable gardens of lovely blooms. 
Pictures by Maureen, Frank, and Elly.  The other group was headed to the 3 Ladies Lakes.  Let us hear from you!!