Buzzard's Roost

Once again the 8 o'clock group ventured into new territory, this time exploring Rattlesnake Road further.  Five of us bounced along in our high-clearance truck over Magonigal Summit towards Upper Montez Lake.  We parked at Lily Pond in order to do a loop up Buzzard Roost (8096), over to it's lake, and back.  The many dirt roads in the area are thick with dust at this time of year so it was a relief to head straight up the little mountain away from the road.  The views to the south were of the Route 80 valley and Devil's Peak and Snow Mountain.  Castle and Basin Peaks and Mt. Lola were easily visible as well to the east and north.  Once again we were surrounded by beautiful granite outcroppings and gnarled trees: mountain hemlock, fir, pine, and juniper.


Buzzard Roost Lake

We descended the other side going cross-country through, up, over, down from the large granite rocks that grace the landscape. We came across a remarkable volcanic flow of andesite that covered several acres and surprised and delighted our geologist fellow hiker.  Finally we went down a very long, smooth descent that ended up at the lake where we found a beautiful cabin.  We ate lunch in the idyllic setting, hoping to see the rumored fish that were supposed to be there but saw nary a one.  The weather was perfect and we could have stayed but we left by a very rough road that the cabin owners had apparently built for access.  How they naviagated it made us wonder at the size and shape of their vehicles.  It looked challenging to say the least. 

We then moved the truck a mile to the Upper Lola Montez Lake area.  As the lake was only a stroll from the truck, I stayed there (asthma problems), painting a picture and exploring. The rest of the group left to find the actual hole of the "Hole in the Ground" trail closeby.  However, as John relates, they became sidetracked, first by a scramble up some beautiful granite to admire the views of Lower Lola Montez Lake, then by another lava flow about a mile away. It took only about half an hour to make their way over to it, thanks in part to one of the many 4WD roads that wend their way around this country.  Our geologist companion explained that this second flow was a basaltic flow creating a table mountain-type of plateau with a sheer dropoff on it's terminal edge. The flow is visible from I-80, and is remarkable to walk on with a surface resembling crushed rock.  Large granite boulders are scattered about, left by the glacier.

Upper Lola Montez Lake

We returned to the truck and headed back on the long drive back to the Cisco Grove onramp, which, we discovered, was closed, forcing us to head east a couple of exits before we could enter the westbound lanes.  We returned via Colfax again due to the continued closure of the Hwy. 20 offramp.  This time, no deer encounters.

We hiked about 8.5 miles total, 1700 foot elevation gain.

Next week, depending on the weather, we hope to hike in the Gold Lakes area.  We will possibly stop for dinner in Sierra City, if the terrace is still open.  But who knows with the weather forecast?


Old Juniper