Zion Hill/Blue Lake

Bottom 4 photos from Clarence. I never know where they will end up - could be wrong again when it actually is "published".

Seventeen of us (Walt, Jo, Grace, Tiana, Paula, Frank Harpold, Barbara G., Marilyn N., Priscilla, Maureen, Jim, Clarence, Selma, Susan (Raub, hiked with us on an extended hike last year), Claudia, John, and Elly walked 6-7 miles depending on our routes. We parked below Blue Lake dam and walked up Zion Hill. The rocks were iron red and quite warm to the touch. We found we were not alone at the top, as some sort of flying insects were swarming to procreate or whatever, maybe hold a meeting. The view from the top was not only of Blue Lake, but Spaulding, Fuller, and Rucker. The Sierra was smokier and paler than usual but did clear up some as the day progressed.

From the top of Zion Hill, everyone except John, Elly, and Susan retraced their steps to Blue Lake, crossed the dam, and picked their way slowly along the rocks at water's edge. Tiana went ahead and took a quick dip. The renegade 3 let themselves down the steep hill, often by turning backwards and stepping down rocks and then wading through scratchy brush. Then they proceeded to hike the ridge between Spaulding and Blue Lakes - spectacular view as they went up and down the rock hills.

We met at the cabin on the ridge above the cleared area/shooting range. The dining table in the cabin was beautifully appointed with dining table and gorgeous chairs and a stupendous view. The bathroom facility was missing a place to sit and a hole but did have a spigot with running water. As we listened to the seranading chants of Mormon girls' camp below, we ate lunch on a shady platform above the house.

After lunch Jim led us up the ditch trail towards the petroglyphs but only 8 of us made it. The others had had enough hiking and headed home.

Next week a group up for an extended hike will climb Castle Peak, head to Basin Peak, hiking cross-country down to another trail that eventually ends up at the PCT and Peter Grubb Hut. All interested in this loop need to meet at 8 AM at the usual place.

Lady Lakes

4 top pictures by Clarence

Fourteen of us hiked 6 miles in a loop around to the 3 Lakes: Azalea, Angela, and Flora. The weather was less toasty and a cool breeze made for a glorious hiking day through gardens respendent with flowers. As usual, the most showy among them were the lilies. The orange Alpine lilies and the white Mariposa lilies were in lush, damper areas as were corn lilies and lots of spirea. Akiko made a list of flowers such as false solomons seal, butterweed (both single stemmed and arrowhead?)and other members of the aster family, paintbrush, pretty face, etc. It was an amazingly long list. The large granite boulders and gnarled trees (dead and alive) made spendid back drops. Present were Tiana, Akiko, Selma, both Marilyns, Paula, Maureen, Grace, Clarence, John the younger, Claudia, new hiker Evelyn, John and Elly. Clarence led us around the far side of Lake Flora to a partially submerged flat rock, perfect for lunch.

While we were eating and watching the fish, we were treated to a Bald Eagle sighting. He left the tree and swooped away in flight, flashing his large white head and tail and dark wings. Earlier, we had seen what we thought was possibly a Bald Eagle nest. But Clarence's binoculars brought us to our senses: pine cones in an odd arrangement.

As usual, we drew together as a group during what was a small glitch when a member lost strength and became dizzy on the hike from Flora to the vehicles. This should be a wake-up call for us to know emergency procedures in case someone becomes even more incapacitated. It could certainly happen to any one of us and we should know what to do.

For those who didn't receive Clarence's email: Aug. 21 (a Saturday) at 3:30 is the meeting time for the Squaw moonlight hike. Bring warm clothes!

Next week we talked about going to Blue Lake but first hiking up Mt. Zion before heading out to the petroglyphs. That was John Skinner's favorite spot. Clarence will lead the hike and it may require a certain amount of exploring.

Penner 2010

Consolidating to just 3 cars we headed up the rough Carr/Feely Lakes Road. Hiking were Tiana, both Marilyns, Akiko, Selma, Maureen, Jo, Becky, Jeff, Stan, Grace, Paula, John and Elly, and big surprise: Walt!! And quite a hikers he was, too. Semi-blindly following someone in front of him all the way to Penner.

The late wildflowers greeted us all along the trail: phlox, penstemon, columbine, mariposa lilies, buckwheat, stickseed, and bushes such as spirea. The sky was pristine blue and the views were fabulous. Neon blue dragon flies mated by the lake, either while flying or clinging to the rushes. A stump had been hollowed by insects to resemble a mesa fairy dwelling.

After a leisurely lunch in the cool breeze of the lake, we hiked back down the trail, meeting Stan where he had stopped by Island Lake. We had hiked 7.25 miles. We talked about the three lakes: Angela, Azalea, and Flora (?) for next week. I like that hike from the Highway 40 side but am not sure about the trail in places. John and I will go unless our daughter is having her baby that day. We are sorry that our yahoo readers didn't get their email notice last week. We just couldn't get it to go through. If you are wondering you can always just go to the notanotherhill blog site which is always on line and accessed most easily by bookmarking it.

Big Loop through Sand Ridge Trail cut-off

above from Clarence

18 of us started up Castle Valley trail but at the Andesite trailhead, 4 headed out on their own shorter hike. Both Marilyn's, Stan, and Clarence went up to Castle Pass, up to Andesite...down the ridge towards us a ways, and then back to the PCT partway to the hut. They stopped along the trail for lunch, apparently met many hikers, and one with an ambitious plan: Mexico-Canada.

So 14 of us headed up Andesite to the shoulder where we could hail the others when they had reached Castle Pass. We hiked along the steep-sided ridge, Hole in the Ground Trail, admiring new flowers (a pink onion - Allium, a delicate, striped five-petaled purple flower that I can't identify, brown lilies (I think)) and old favorites such as Mule's ears snow plant, and Corn Lilies. We admired the view from the ridge of Castle Peak and the valley. As we descended from the shoulder of Andesite we repeatedly went from snow-packs to easier hiking back down to the Lower Castle creek crossing near the Sand Ridge trail. Luckily, a large tree had fallen across the minor torrent, allowing us to cross handily. Just on the other side we stopped among the shaded boulders for lunch by the cold, deep stream. After the usual animated conversations, we headed over to the Sand Ridge Lake Trail that led up to the PCT in Round Valley and then down to Peter Grubb Hut. We passed some beauiful old pine trees - reddish bark and just 2 needles - Lodgepole Pine? At PG Hut we availed ourselves of the composting facility before heading up the trail to Castle Pass. The return to the car was in 2 groups - ours went by the PCT which was so full of wonderful flowers. Crossing the stream at the bottom of Castle Valley was difficult but we were so close to the cars that Becky, Jo, John, and I waded with our boots on, eventhough the water was pouring over them, while Tammy crossed barefoot. The other group was Jim, Maureen, Priscilla, Tiana, Akiko, Selma, Frank Harpold, Jeff, and new hiker, Claudia. We had covered 8.5 miles!

Next week we will go on a WEDNESDAY hike, putting off the night Squaw hike until the following month when the moon will rise earlier after the sunset. That will be August 22 or 23, Sunday or Monday, and won't interfere with a Wednesday hike. Penner Lake appears to be the hike of choice so hopefully, we will be able to swim! Also let's hope there aren't too many snow banks to cross as it's one step forward and one slide back...ie, slow-going. Guess we should bring crampons.

Rock Lake via Bowman Mountain

Frank Hamlin led us on a stupdendous hike Wednesday. The superlative has to do with the route, the view, and the weather. After examining Camas Lilies and Fawn Lilies in Loney Meadow we climbed over the side of Bowman Mountain and around to the view to Bowman Lake. We also saw the tippy top of a snow-covered mountain, possibly Lassen, and the Sierra Buttes. The high trail was a path in the scree that afforded view after view. Gnarled trees including a tall one that had at least 4 separate trees for the top came into a view. Finally, after the "watch tree" a small tarn was laying along the path at the bottom of a melting snow patch. There was almost mutiny in the group as we were divided over whether to stop there for lunch (unparalleled beauty) or continue on around to Rock Lake.

Rock Lake won and after 4 of us had a swim, the clouding sky gave way to hail, causing the lake to boil and the ground to be covered with ice balls. Tianna was attempting to dry herself but wetnesss was quickly overtaking her attempts. We huddled under trees until the sky was spent and then headed quickly down the trail to Loney and beyond. Unfortunately the mosquitoes tortured us most of the way, particularly Marilyn's grand daughter, Evvie who was dressed more sparingly that the rest of us.

Wildflowers were plentiful and included:

False Solomon's Seal
Corn Lily (False Hellibore)

Sierra Bitter Root or Sierra Lewisia (Purslane family which includes Pussy Paws which we also saw in great quantity).

There were 19 of us: Marilyn and grand daughter, Barbara G. both Franks and Ellen, Priscilla, Maureen, Tiana, Tammy, Grace, Vila, Becky, Akiko, Selma, Jo, Paula, John and Elly. We hiked about 8 miles and with quite an elevation gain - got up to almost 7K.

Lots more pictures are available - especially on Frank Hamlin's picasa album...but, sadly, I can't figure out how to post that here.

Lake Valley Reservoir 6/30/10

DON'T FORGET TO MEET 8:30 - SUMMER TIME HOURS - STARTING NEXT WEDNESDAY.

With the late snow, we figuring it might still be a bit dicey up at the pass. So we opted for the Yuba Gap exit...past the Pine Mtn. x/c ski place used to be. It had been 13 months since we had taken that trail.

Although a tad short as a hike (4 miles), I, myself, having just been ill, was quite glad for the gentle re-introduction. I was surprised no one opted to climb the dome this time. Wild flowers abounded in our own private garden - phlox, penstemon, both mule's ears and arrow-leafed balsam (the leaves are a bit different from each other), delphinium, forget-me-nots, paintbrush, false solomon's seal, mariposa lily - but no wallflower this time. The weather did not open up or even threaten to...the sky was deep blue, chartreuse tips of growing fir trees constrasted with the deep green of the older foliage.

Hikers were Frank and Ellen, Priscilla, Maureen, Jo, Akiko, Grace, Frank Harpold, Tammy, Paula, Tiana, John and Elly and a new hiker, Vila.

Frank has researched a somewhat longer loop hike to Rock Lake with a return over a shoulder of Bowman Mtn. (or vice-versa - not sure). Looks good - I suppose those not up for a 7 mile hike could opt for Loney Meadow - we could divide up the cars accordingly. He has a friend who got into Rock Lake, tromping through only a small amount of snow.

The party is July 10 at 3 PM. Swimming/potluck. I've heard from almost everyone. If you need directions, please email me. Like last year, we will grill tri-tip and maybe salmon. You might want to bring drinks, too.

REMEMBER 8:30 NEXT WEEK.

Quarry Trail on the Middle Fork of the American

At nine o'clock, nine hikers were lured by perfect weather for a hike in spite of the 30% precip prediction. But as fate would have it, their usual luck did not hold and all manner of rain gear was employed from noon on. Being too cheap to fork out the $10 parking lot fee, they walked a bit on the busy road like the rest of the trail users. Too bad the park service doesn't charge a more reasonable fee - surely they'd make more money.

The trail led past caves and tunnels up to an improbable quarry. Monster rock faces in a fairy tale side canyon lured the hikers into it's mouth. The pied piper led a few of them up the hands-needed steep trail to a box canyon replete with caves high up on it's face. Circling vultures made them uneasy. Coming down was a sit-down job.

As they were about to leave, a couple of rock climbers happened by. Fascinated, four of the hikers lingered to watch a bit too long, separating themselves from the rest. As happens in these circumstances, at the exit of the canyon one group went one way and other group went the opposite direction. After quite a while, both hungry groups got the picture and turned towards each other, reuniting not too far from a river picnic spot.

And then it rained.

Wildflowers were Chinese Houses, Fairy Lanterns, Chokecherry bushes (?), Dudleya, Buckeye. A beautiful small king snake crossed the road in front of us and a millipede couple was doing their spring thing (or perhaps it was one invertebrate devouring the other. Who knows?).