Tinker's Knob

PCT ridge from Cold Stream Ridge

 Six of us and a big, well-behaved dog decided if that smoke wasn't too bad from the Boca fire, we would hike from Horse Shoe Bend behind Donner Lake up to the PCT and then climb Tinker's Knob. The smoke wasn't evident so we headed up the trail  past Lost Trail Lodge on what appears to be more of a dirt bike trail than a hiker's trail.  It was dusty and full of excursions that dirt bikers like to perform, gauging out areas around bends.  We could even see that a dirt biker had been all the way up to the PCT in the not too distant past.   In a while we crossed Cold Stream and headed up to a ridge that afforded a view of the PCT ridge.  We could see Anderson Peak, Benson Hut, and Tinker's Knob.  The rest of the hike up was spectacular.  Towards the top we could see out to Tahoe, Granite Chief, and Squaw.  The hike up had been steep and slow but we made it to the PCT for a late lunch.

After lunch we climbed up the rock out-cropping that forms the Knob.  Being impatient to get on with the climb, I turned too soon and found myself and another hiker taking the hard way to the top.  But everyone made it (even the dog who was worried about one section) and enjoyed the 360 degree view for a few minutes before descending.  Especially interesting was the way the PCT goes past Anderson Peak.  We saw where we turned around a few weeks ago.

That steep trail made for a treacherous descent.  Loose rocks rolled under our feet and while the dirt bikers might enjoy that, we found it scary and tiresome.  One didn't dare take their eyes off the trail. There were quite a few falls, though the only one that was a problem was the one where the hiker fell into a thorn bush.  Maybe we should be adding tweezers to our first aid kits. 

We had hiked just short of 12 miles with an almost 3000 foot elevation gain. 




Top of Tinker's Knob

Top looking South

the loveliest part about going down - still on the PCT

Devil's Peak hike around

Devil's Peak from top of cliff

Six of us decided to further explore Devil's Peak in Royal Gorge.  The land had been newly purchased by the Truckee Tahoe Land Trust and was open to hikers.  This time we wanted to see if we could find a trail around the peak counter clockwise.  We parked at Cloud's Rest Warming Hut and proceeded down to cross the Cascade Lakes dam on the Palisades Creek Trail.  Then we started heading cross-country to pick up the Wagon Train Trail.  This was a big mistake.  My suggestion of angling our route was an even bigger mistake.  We probably would have been better off having hiked the Palisades Trail and then head off cross-country further along.  This country is very jumbled with cliffs and brush so it was very difficult to find our way.  At one point a couple of us had no idea where the other 4 were so we followed some ducks to the top of one of the cliffs.  The view was stupendous but the group was below us. 

Once we were reunited, we headed for that Wagon Train Trail but were having to cross cliffs under heavy brush, sometimes stepping into air.  Shoelaces caught and untied double-tied bows on more than one hiker.  After a while we arrived at a lake we recognized so we went around it and got to the groomed area we had noted in previous hikes.  Now the going was easy as we emerged onto a paved private road that went south towards the Devil's Peak Warming Hut. At that point we headed up the dirt road towards the shoulder of Devil's Peak, as if we were going to climb it like last year. This time we continued to follow the dirt road, turning left at a junction following a fainter road. We figured we were just going around Devil's Peak.  Soon the Peak was lost to view in the woods although we did emerge on a more lightly wooded spot where the gorgeous clouds and distant views of Anderson Peak and Tinker's Knob could be enjoyed.  We sat down to lunch.  It was 1 PM.

Red Fir cone - usually consumed by rodents

As we continued down the overgrown and progressively fainter road, we noted that our GPS bearers were nervous about what we were approaching.  Was there an outlet?  Or did we have to crawl through brush once again. How were we going to get down to the much lower elevation of Palisades Creek Trail that was going to return us to the car?  And this time the bushes had nasty thorns as well.  You guessed it, and once again we wished for a periscope to see where we were going.  Finally we emerged only to have to go through a dry forest with lots of downed wood to both block us and crunch under our feet.  After we crossed a dry creek, we were relieved to emerge in an open meadow where we expected to find the Palisades Creek Trail.  From that point the way was clearer, although the trail was missing.  Slowly we realized we had to follow an older trail, which showed on the GPS, but is so faint that you needed a good imagination to see it, bolstered by occasional ancient trail blazes.

Lunch View

Finally, we arrived at a trail we recognized from a few years ago, the Palisades Creek Trail and turned left to head back up the other side of Devil's Peak.  As we climbed, the views both near and far became even more stupendous.  The clouds were dramatic but since lunch we had not heard any thunder.  There were lakes and even some birds living their own noisy dramas up in the trees.  We found a bushtit nest on the trail - quite squooshed but it's hanging structure recognizable.  It even had some bluejay feathers in the structure.  Three birds probably in the corvid family (jays? crows?) were making a ruckus up in some trees.  One appeared to have a morsel and maybe a young one wanted a bite.  It could have been flickers as well. 

We got back to the cars at around 6.  We had walked about 12 miles with about a 2 K elevation gain.  Much of the hike was off trail and some even tricky.  I'd like to try it again the other way with clippers and leather gloves.  I doubt that will happen.  If it were made into a real trail, it would be a go-to hike for sure.

Yarrow?  Pearly everlasting?  All alone in meadow

Blaze and a sardine can were a reassuring sight

noisy bird kerfluffle

Rock Lakes by Lindsay

Three of us braved the heavy weather and decided to stay low once more.  We drove a roundabout way (via the road to Carr-Feely) to Lindsay Lake where we were surprised by the amount of activity.  Numerous campers drying out their belongings, PG&E trucks, and others who had the key to the locked gate. 

Upper Rock Lake



Huckleberry Oak

Upper Rock Lake



Grass Valley horse people at Lower Rock Lake

This horse was a real beggar

 We hiked past the three Lindsays and Culbertson up to Upper Rock Lake where we ate lunch.  We came back via lower Rock Lake, where we met two GV women on horseback.  The rain set in, hastening our return to the car. We did deploy our raincoats and pack covers.  Lots of thunder, but we saw no lightning.  We drove back via the Loney Meadow road, which is much the shorter route.  We hiked about 8 miles with 1100 ft of elevation gain.   


Rain and thunder



bivouacked campers out of the rain

Loney Lake

Heading up towards Loney Lake

 Eight of us headed to Blue Lake in order to stay away from peaks and ridges where we would be more vulnerable to lightning strikes.  We originally thought we would hike to Beyers Lake, a round trip of 14 miles. As we hiked along the ditch, past the petroglyphs and stupendous view, we decided that due to the heat and mugginess of the weather, we would shorten the proposed hike and go to Loney Lake instead.  This would mean being off trail in steep, rocky terrain.  We had to climb up boulders, and sidle around rocks in order to avoid the dried up outlet and steep but dry waterfalls.  The going was tough and exhausting.  Most of the vegetation was the dry type with a good stand of scarlet gilia and a few Mountain Ash bushes with bright orange berries.



Loney Lake

Loney Lake was serene with it's yellow blooming water lilies, but it was muddy and not inviting for swimming.  Distant thunder and large clouds added to the muggy drama.

After lunch we decided it would be easier if we would descend by hiking in the dry outlet.  After a start that dead ended, we turned around and waded through the reeds and grasses.  That route stopped in a dense growth of willows.  Feeling trapped, we headed straight into them.  Bouncing and snapping, the willows appeared to be gaining on us.  After a few falls and clothing tears, we emerged to more reeds and we were worse for the wear.  We swished through them, only to discover we were actually on a peninsula.  There was no way we were going to attack those willows again, so we waded in the muddy lake even though it was up over our hiking boots.  Once sprung by the lake's grip, we continued down the outlet until we had to go back up on the ledgy rocks. 

After a well-deserved rest, we headed back to Blue Lake.  There, we found a group of campers taking apart an elaborate set-up after a month's camping trip.  They used a small skiff and a canoe on many trips to ferry their multitudinous belongs back to the dam. 

Next week we hope to be less ambitious, especially if the hot weather continues. We must have a swimming lake we can enjoy.  One of our members brought water shoes which we all thought was a good idea for next week.

People's devices recorded different mileage and elevation gain but it appears that we went about 9.5 miles with an 1100 ft. elevation gain.






Rest and snack in late afternoon breeze

Blue Lake

Akiko is in training - big pack

PCT to Anderson

Enjoying view from Roller Pass

Although seven of us met at 8:30, two decided to climb Mt. Lola for its high elevation as they are training for their Yosemite trip.  The rest of us, wanting less of a drive, opted for the PCT south from Highway 40.  There were a lot of day trippers headed to the Mt. Judah loop but once we passed them, there were few other hikers. 



The goal: Mt. Anderson

Fireweed

The day was gloriously cool and bright.  Only a good stiff wind detracted from the day's perfection. On the ridges, hiking poles held by their straps, blew to about 20-30 degrees from vertical.  We secured our hats and some even had to hang on to them.  As usual, the views from that trail were continually spectacular at every turn.  Instead of continuing up to Benson Hut, we stayed on the PTC around Mt. Anderson.  I was hoping to climb it from the other side but the group wasn't up for it.  The trail had become more exposed as we headed towards Tinker's Knob and the winds precluded eating lunch anywhere past some trees a while back.  So we retreated to the trees for lunch before heading back. 

Although most of the trail is too exposed for spectacular wildflowers, there were areas of displays of fireweed, scarlet Gilia, Sierra Primrose, and a purple Penstemon - probably Meadow Penstemon. 

We had walked about 13.5 miles with about a 2500 foot elevation gain. 

Castle Peak

Devil's Peak

Right below Mt. Anderson

Penstemon