Wednesday Ramblings: Twin Peaks (Barker to TP and return)

Eight of us took another spectacular hike on the PCT/TRT from Barker Pass to Twin Peaks. It was an area we had eyed during a couple of hikes last year. The wildflowers were plentyfull - Alpine Lilies, Columbine, Paint Brush, and Scarlet Fritillary - a palette of reds - were abundant in water seepage meadows. Also there were Monkey flowers in yellows - and pinks and the blue Monk's Hood. Caterpillar Phaecia and Pennyroyal were more neutral to white as was cinquefoil. Sulfur Buckwheat and Mule's Ears were in the drier areas.

Looking down from Twin Peaks

The hike is along the PCT/TRT which means we ran into loads of thru hikers, each with their own stories. Swiss girls with a large camera and a man carrying an electronic racket bug killer (he thought it was amusing), a tall bearded fellow with the trail name of Che were all interesting to greet and talk with. There were day hikers as well - a couple from Poland were out for a brief walk from Barker. Lady walking along in slip-on clogs.

I Made it!!

The views of Lake Tahoe and distant mountains are just as exciting as immense lava out croppings seen at every switchback. After lunch in the shade while admiring the views, we headed further down "only 1/2 mile" to Twin Peaks. It was a massive rock that ascended almost vertically from the TRT. In spite of being already tired, one member started the hands and feet ascent. Remindful of Old Man Mountain and Devil's Peak. We ditched the poles and headed up rocks that were so steep I had to back up at a few points and try a different area. All the while we worried about what it was going to be like when it was time to head down. We also thought of yellow jacket nests. They had bedeviled us while climbing around on Devil's Peak. Maybe that's where it got it's name. But all was well although going down was tough as we sat and oozed ourselves to the next rock below or turned and went backwards or let our bodies swing to the next foothold. We were lucky that our foolishness didn't lead to anybody getting hurt beyond a few scratches.

The return hike was grueling as our bodies had had enough. But we all made it - I think it was 6:30. We had hiked 11.5 miles with an elevation gain of about 2600 feet. Although the traffic was light on the drive home, we did see a good sized rock/boulder roll down and across the freeway in front of us. Phew, dodged that bullet! Thanks to Frank for map trace and first 3 pictures.