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 .