Sand Ridge Lake

Six of us hiked over Andesite Peak down the Hole in the Ground Trail to Sand Ridge Lake. A random hiker with a dog joined us as we overtook her at the beginning of Castle Valley. Although the weather was hot, the lake was cold with a cool breeze blowing over it. Attempting to enter the lake, one of us found that the bottom was like quicksand and he immediately lost one water shoe. The rest of the time we attempted and failed to retrieve it.  After lunch we walked back to the PCT and Peter Grubb Hut. There we found a lone thru hiker going north to south. He felt like he had to race the possible weather that MIGHT come to the very high passes along the John Muir Trail. Between the heat and the mileage (11 miles, 1400 ft elevation gain) we were quite tired by the end of the hike. 

 

Second Divide

Six of us hiked 10 miles with a 2500 elevation gain on a largely bike trail out of Downieville. In fact, it is part of the Downieville Downhill Ride from Packer Pass. Second Divide has few features to distinguish it, sometimes a view of the creeks it lays between, a couple of interesting mining cabins, and a pleasant forest.  the trail is quite dusty and would be more pleasant after the rains begin (hopefully). 

Big Sugar Pine

Tunnels by PCT & Emigrant Trails

Eight of us hiked from the PCT south from old highway 40 to the Mt. Judah loop trail, then to the Emigrant Trail that takes off between Donner Peak and Mt. Judah. From between Judah and Donner, the trail heads down towards Cold Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Towards the bottom we cut over on a dirt road to the railroad beds. From the top of a tunnel we watched a very long freight train emerge below us. We wondered how movie actors manage to jump on top of a moving train and not roll off. We returned via the railroad tunnels using flashlights for the darkest sections. 

Emerging train. 

 Now where did I put that flashlight?

9.5 miles 2000 ft elev gain.