Meiss Meadow Wildflowers & Red Lake Peak Via PCT - Carson Pass, CA

7/16/2017

Hills are alive with wildflowers! This hike will remind you of a picturesque scenery from the film The Sound Of Music....wildflowers in lush alpine meadows with snow melting mountain views. Wildflowers are abundant along the trail and get better as you go and up higher.

Timing is everything. If your timing is right, you can see beautiful wildflowers in many places along the way.....phlox, lupine, mules ears, paintbrush, penstemon and more. About 1.5 miles in, you pass a high meadow at the foot of Red Lake Peak, where patches of Irises are displaying nicely, some blue and some white.

Red Lake Peak (10,068')
Instead of hiking down toward Meiss Lake and Showers Lake, I ventured out to climb Red Lake Peak (10,068') from which John C. Fremont and Charles Preuss made the first recorded sighting of Lake Tahoe during Fremont's expedition in February 1844. There is a lake (Red Lake) just east of Carson Pass for which the peak is named.  Along with Lake Tahoe, views from the top are spectacular in all directions....Hope Valley, Round Top Peak, the Sisters, Elephants Back, and Mokelumne Wilderness and beyond to the south; to the north are Freel Peak, Jobs Sisters and Desolation Wilderness peaks as well as Meiss Meadow, Little Round Top and Caples Lake to the west.

Carson Pass
Carson Pass was a historic pass during the California Gold Rush and PCT traverses the pass. Carson Pass also has a California Historical Landmark (#315) where Kit Carson carved his name into a tree. Kit Carson was a guide to lead the 1844 Fremont Expedition.

Round Top Peak Via PCT Winnemucca Lake - Carson Pass, CA

7/12/2017

Pristine alpine lakes, creeks, lush valley, forest and mountain views with displays of colorful summer's wildflowers, wow! This hike has it all. Amazing hike to Round Top Peak with gorgeous views and wildflowers via PCT - Winnemucca Lake from Carson Pass. As of July 12, the first mile or so from Carson Pass trailhead is snow free, and thereafter patches and fields of snow still remain here and there along the trail. The route to Round Top Lake and Round Top Peak is still under snow/2 - 3 feet deep. The saddle to the summit is snow free.

Wildflowers galore!....Tahoe mule ears, paintbrush, lupine....just name a few.  Many wildflowers are blooming along the trail, particularly by Winnemucca Lake. Also, around Frog Lake. 

Round Top Peak (10,381') is one of the three prominent peaks above 10,000 feet in Lake Tahoe region. The other two are Freel Peak(10,881') and Mt. Rose (10,776'). The easiest approach to summit is from the west ridge and Class 2 scrambling to the top. The route to the saddle is steep and still snow covered and slushy/slippery, so hiking poles and micro-spikes are useful if you aim to summit anytime soon. Enjoy sweeping views from the top in all directions! Be careful at the top as the summit is small and narrow.

Carson Pass was a historic pass during the California Gold Rush and PCT traverses the pass. Carson Pass also has a California Historical Landmark (#315) where Kit Carson carved his name on a tree. Kit Carson was a guide to lead the 1844 Fremont Expedition.

There were quite a few PCT thru hikers seen on trail traveling north. Wish them safe journey and good luck!

Carson Pass Information Center at trailhead....stop by for update info, permit, fees. The staff are very helpful.

Video by Lifeisamt

Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout Via PCT 7/7/2017 - Pacific Crest Trail, Sierra City, CA

July 7, 2017

 

Hiking up Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout is an epic journey with amazing views from the top as you climb the steep stairs to reach the lookout. The Fire Lookout stands on top of one of the craggy buttes at 8,587 feet. Sweeping vistas in all directions are no doubt WOW! Sardine Lakes, peaks of Tahoe/Desolation Wilderness and as far as Mt. Lassen (100 miles away!) are seen along with nearby mountains like Haskell Peak.

The hike is 2.5 miles/1,800' gain one way via PCT while there are other longer routes to the lookout via Tamarack Lakes and Sierra City. As of July 7, 2017, there are some snow fields on trail, but they are short, not difficult to cross and probably will melt away in a week or two. Stay on track as the trail disappears here and there under the snow. Wildflowers are blooming and beautiful, but may not last that long as the summer's heat continues.

The lookout was built in 1915, one of many in the greater Tahoe region. The stairs to the lookout was constructed by five Tahoe National Forest employees in the summer of 1964 to make it possible for visitors to climb to the lookout with ease and safety.

For a side trip, you can drive to Sardine Lake Resort at Lower Sardine Lake for a breathtaking view of Sierra Buttes rising above the lake. Also, another option would be to drive a short distance to Frazier Falls near Gold Lake. A paved trail (1/2 mile one way) takes you to the beautiful waterfalls.

 

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Urban Hike San Bruno Mountain - San Francisco, CA

July 2, 2017

San Bruno Mountain, rising between the southern end of San Francisco and the northern end of Santa Cruz Mountain Range, offers a very unique urban hike experience with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the central Bay, and the San Francisco skyline. The mountain provides twelve miles of hiking, riding, and jogging trails. The area is also an ecological haven for several species of rare and endangered plants and butterflies, including the Mission blue butterfly.

I hiked Summit Loop trail. It was fun to see many wildflowers blooming and native plants growing all along the trail. It's an evidence that the moisture from the ocean fog sustains the life of vegetation and wildlife in the mountain maintaining ecological balance. For great views of the SF skyline and the ocean, choose a clear day. It was amusing to see a family of skunk crossing the trail!

 

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Hike up Ralston Peak 6/30/2017 - Desolation Wilderness, CA

June 30, 2017

Wow! Amazing hike with spectacular vistas in all directions....Desolation Wilderness, surrounding peaks and alpine lakes, Lake Tahoe and many other peaks of northern High Sierra as far as you can see! It's a strenuous hike with high altitudes/9,200', gaining 2,800' in 3 - 4 miles depending on routes. But, the reward at the summit blows you away! Two thumbs up!!

The trail is mostly dry and in good condition with one blowdown (minor). As of June 31, there are some snow fields to cross between 8,300' and 9,000', but nothing to worry about as they are easy to cross. (Water proof boots recommended, however.) Most of the snow along the trail will probably melt away in a week or so.

Looking down from high above, the core zone of Desolation Wilderness still looks covered with ice and snow where Tamarack Lake, Ralston Lake, Lake of the Woods and Lake Aloha are.

Be safe out there and enjoy the hike!

 

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Hiking Tiburon Part 2 of 2 - Tiburon, CA

June 25, 2017

Explore beautiful Tiburon by visiting Old St. Hilary's and hiking through Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve and Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve.

Old St. Hilary's is Tiburon’s iconic hillside landmark. It was originally a mission church named for St. Hilaire, Bishop of Poitiers. The church was built as a place of worship for local railroad workers in 1888. The building retains significant architectural importance because it is one of the few remaining Carpenter Gothic churches to survive in its original setting. Hiking up Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve offers wildflowers along the trail and breathtaking views in all directions from the top.

Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve is located on the west side of the Tiburon peninsula and can be hiked from several access points. The best approach is to start at the trailhead on Paradise Drive and follow the Phyllis Ellman Loop Trail to the top. Views of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area from the top are stunning. Ring Mountain Open Space was preserved to benefit future generations and saved from development due to the efforts of concerned citizens led by local conservationist Phyllis Ellman.

Hiking Tiburon Part 1 of 2:
https://youtu.be/haJvZORbaQo

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Hiking Tiburon Part 1 of 2 - Tiburon, CA

June 20, 2017

 

Hiking beautiful Tiburon peninsula! Views are amazing from every spot in town! This quaint and easygoing town offers wonderful hikes with incredible vistas and local history.

Hike up Tiburon Open Space Preserve for breathtaking views...SF Bay and the city, Angel Island, Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tam, Richmond Bridge and Bay Bridge with east side cities. There is a big tree called Hippie Tree with a rope swing. "Hippie Tree"....the origin of the name is unknown(?), but you'll be likely inspired by amazing views seen from there.

Trekking along the shoreline via Old Rail Trail from Blackie's Pasture and through McKegney Field to the east end of the Tiburon peninsula is another way to explore the beauty of the peninsula and its old history....fantastic views, historic Ark Row and beautiful homes in Belvedere as you hike along the bay. Read information boards along the trail for interesting history of Tiburon. You can also take a ferry to Angel Island or to the city if you want to extend your adventure.

 

Hiking Tiburon Part 2 of 2:
https://youtu.be/u_QEauNOVwk

 

 Video by Lifeisamt