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. 

3 Ladies

Because of heat and a time commitment, six hikers from the 8 o'clock group hiked fewer miles and less elevation gain than usual. We opted to hike the 3 Lady Lakes from Boreal.  Although swimming was a possibility, a cool wind blew off Lake Flora which dampened our enthusiasm. However there were quite a few dogs around and an increasing number of people as well. 

PCT to Anderson

Seven of us headed south on the spectacular PCT from route 40. The weather had cooled down and the going was easy enough. The smoke from all the fires only created a thin haze.   Intermittent summer storms helped keep down the dust and kept the plants alive with some still blooming wild flowers. Fireweed, Gentians, Sulphur and Lobb's Buckwheat, Scarlet Fritillary, Mule's 

Ears still had some blooms at this late date. While most of the group turned after eating on the trail below Benson Hut, two went on to the saddle on the ridge between Anderson and 

Tinker's. The trail remains beautifully maintained, especially the talus crossings on the slopes of Mt. Anderson.  The area around the back of the mountain is even more spectacular in its rock outcrop pings and vegetation. Most of the group hiked about 12.25 miles and the other two hiked about 14.29.  Elevation gain was  about 2500 feet. A long, but satisfying day. 

Approaching Mt. Anderson. benson Hut is hidden in the trees to the left of the talus. 

Mt. Anderson from the other side

Mt. Anderson from back. 

Tinker's Knob from the ridge to its north

Rock Lake

Six of us, worried about extreme heat and smoke decided to head up the highway. We were looking for a hike that would afford the ability to cool off (water) and less smoke than we had been experiencing from the Lowell Fire. Much to our surprise, we saw NO smoke all the way up 20 to Bowman Lake Rd.  So we continued to Loney Meadow. Long story short, no smoke all day. But heat? Brutal. We all swam for quite a while in Rock Lake, which we had to ourselves until we were leaving. We were happy to see new, beautiful signs making clear where trails go at most intersections. We returned by Culbertson Lake and Lindsay Lakes. The jeep road back to Loney was exceptionally hot and dusty. We had hiked 7.5 - 8 miles with a 1500 ft. Elevation gain. 

Stone Camp

Six of us wanted to see Stone Camp on a small, spectacular granite rimmed lake near 5 Lakes Basin below Glacier Lake.  Parking at Grouse Ridge, we headed down, then up Sand Ridge.  The views from that relatively level ridge were stupendous as usual. Then we headed down cross country across steep granite slab country towards 5 Lakes Basin in search of Stone Camp. Fortunately we had the coordinates from our last visit, as it is pretty hard to fine. After settling in on the comfortable stone sofa and chairs for lunch we read the logbook and discovered that a big bachelor party was expected this weekend and into next week. We left a message from the stripper. Also in the log was an entry from last year from my young grandson raving about the camp and complimenting the builders. Supposedly it was built in the seventies. 

From Sand Ridge

Stone Camp

When we were done our lunch we climbed up the huge granite outcroppings we had climbed down until we hit the trail. Instead of returning, we headed to Glacier Lake, and then the long trail back. The addition of Glacier Lake made the hike a bit long, 10 miles. We were lucky that the day was relatively cool and breezy.  Our ascent was about 1700 feet.