Hike up Kearsarge Pass to Kearsarge Lakes 9/16/2017 - Onion Valley, CA

 

9/16/2017

Amazing hike with a series of alpine lakes, waterfalls and towering mountain peaks of High Sierra. Kearsarge Pass (11,760') is one of the most direct and shortest routes connecting eastern and western High Sierras. Kings Canyon National Park is situated just on the other side (west) of the pass. This 5 mile long hike gaining 2,660' elevation provides spectacular mountain vistas all along the journey. Kearsarge Pass Trail traverses John Muir Wilderness and connects with John Muir Trail and PCT. 

From the beginning of the hike at Onion Valley trailhead, breathtaking views amaze you. Trail is well maintained and climbs in switchbacks. Along the trail there are a series of waterfalls and alpine lakes....Little Pothole Lake, Gilbert Lake, Flower Lake, Heart Lake and Big Pothole Lake. University Peak (13,589'), which is named for the University of California, looms over the lakes as you go, and Mt. Gould (13,012') comes in sight as you approach the pass. 

Take in breathtaking views from the pass....to the west are peaks and lakes of the King-Kern Divide in Kings Canyon NP, whereas Kearsarge Pinnacles and Kearsarge Lakes dominate the foreground. To the south, University Peak towers along the jagged ridge running from the pass with Big Pothole Lake sitting just below the pass. Zoom in grand vistas down towards the east, and Onion Valley and Independence/HWY395 are visible. 

Kearsarge Pass Trail offers such a breathtaking scenery of the Sierra Crest landscape with high mountains and alpine lakes in relatively easy and short hike. Two thumbs up!

 Video by Lifeisamt

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

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 up Mt. Ashland (7533') - Ashland, OR

June 2, 2017

Distance: 5 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 1150'
Summit: 7532'

Located in Southern Oregon just south of Ashland along Interstate 5 between OR/CA border, Mt. Ashland is the tallest in the Siskiyou Mountain Range. It offers a variety of recreational activities....skiing, hiking, backpacking, biking and wildflowers in early summer. The hike also gives an option to explore PCT which traverses nearby.

To summit, follow a gravel road for about 1 mile from the ski-area and keep to the right hiking up the road for another 1.5 miles to the summit. There is a white Doppler Radar at the top and the actual summit is the rocky peak right behind.

Vistas seen from the summit are spectacular in all directions....Mt. McLoughlin and Mt. Shasta as well as other peaks of the Cascade and Siskiyou Mountain range.

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Sheep Lake/Sourdough Gap - Mt. Rainier, WA

As I enjoyed this hike so much this summer to see wildflowers at Sheep Lake, I decided to go back to hike again yesterday for fall foliage and also to hike up to Sourdough Gap and farther toward Crystal Lakes basin this time. 

The hike to Sheep Lake begins at right behind the toilet structures in the large parking lot/Naches Peak Loop trailhead on HWY 410. The trail is part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and runs along right above the highway, which offers a stunning view of Chinook Pass and the valley. It's a pleasant and gentle 2 mile hike all the way to the lake. Fall colors are abundant along the trail. The lake seemed quite busy with many campers yesterday.
From the lake, I continued the journey to Sourdough Gap. As you leave the lake, the trail begins to gain elevation and gets steep a bit, but not too bad. I saw families with young children trekking up with no problem. The hike from the lake to the gap offers wonderful views of South Cascades including Mt. Adams, so enjoy the vistas as you ascend. In 1.4 miles, you reach Sourdough Gap, and the reward is the grand vistas of Sheep Lake down below in the valley and South Cascades with Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens on the skyline. On the other side of the gap, the PCT continues north along the mountain range above the Crystal Lakes basin.

At the gap, there is a side trail going up to the peak of the gap. The route is rather steep, but scrambling is not necessary as the path is solid with dirt and rocks in switchbacks. The 360 panorama at the peak offers breathtaking views....Sheep Lake on one side with South Cascades including Mt. Adams and Upper Chrystal Lake on the other side with Mt. Rainer as a backdrop.

Back down to the gap, I continued to hike the trail to the other side of the gap. Passing the gap, the trail divides into two directions...one goes to the PCT north and the other to Crystal Lakes basin and Mt. Rainier National Park territory. I took the Crystal Lakes trail.

The view from the above at Crystal Lakes basin is another reward with this hike....towering Sourdough Gap peak, Upper Crystal Lake, and Mt. Rainier. The trail continues down to Upper Crystal Lake, but I didn't enough time to hike down to the lake.

By the way, if I can make an arrangement for two cars.....park one car at Sheep Lake trailhead and the other at Crystal Lakes....I'd try hike from one end to the other to cover both lakes (Sheep Lake and Lower/Upper Crystal Lakes) including Crystal Peak. That'll be a fan adventure to try in one day!

Beacon Rock - Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section H - Bridge of Gods to White Pass, WA

If you want to make a little excursion while you are in Vancouver (WA) or Portland area, Beacon Rock may be a good choice which comes with a stunning scenery of Columbia River Gorge and the interesting history of the Rock. 

The 2 miles round trip up/down of the big rock is 600′ gain. The grade along the trail is gradual with railings all the way up across 17 bridges and 54 switchbacks. Views along the way up/down and the 360 panorama from the top are spectacular. 

After Beacon Rock, I also went to the Bridge of the Gods (about 10 min. drive from the Rock) and walked across the bridge (50 cents to walk across each way). The Bridge of the Gods is a section of Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between OR - WA. There is a trailhead (Bridge of the Gods) with a restroom near the bridge. I saw a small farmers market under the bridge and venders were selling locally grown fruits and fresh/smoked salmon! 

Here is the history of Beacon Rock from "Friends of the Columbia Gorge": 

"Lewis and Clark initially called it “Beaten Rock”, but changed the name to “Beacon Rock” on their return voyage in 1806. During the early 1900’s it was most often called “Castle Rock”. 

Geologically the Rock was once thought to be the eroded core of an ancient volcano. However, it is more likely a segment of a large north-south dike where basalt lava oozed up through cracks in the earth’s crust only 50-60,000 years ago. In either case, the softer outer layers were stripped away by massive floods during the last Ice Age to leave the monolith that remains today. 

We owe the preservation of the Rock to two far-sighted individuals. Charles Ladd purchased it in 1904. It was a much loved by his family who often traveled there by boat. Ladd’s stewardship thwarted plans by the Army Corps of Engineers to blast it apart and use the pieces to create a jetty at the mouth of the Columbia. In 1915 Ladd sold it for $1 to Henry J. Biddle on the condition that it would be preserved. 

The first recorded climb was in 1901, and the climbers left spikes and ropes in place for later climbers. Biddle was attracted by the idea of building a trail “in perhaps the most difficult location in which a trail had ever been built”. From October 1915 to April 1918, Biddle and a helper built the walkway of trails, ramps, stairs and railings to the top. It was later improved by the CCC. In 1935 Biddle’s heirs offered the Rock to the State of Washington to become a state park. Initially Washington refused the offer, but quickly reconsidered after the same offer was accepted by Oregon. Thus, Beacon Rock very nearly became an Oregon State Park! 

Beacon Rock once marked the end of the last rapids in the Columbia River before the ocean, and the farthest point upstream where tidal influences can be detected (only in late fall when the water level is low). This is why Lewis and Clark named it Beaten Rock. 

Prior to the building of the Bonneville dam a series of major rapids ran from present-day Cascade Locks to a point near the Rock. These were called the “Columbia Cascades” – from which the Cascade Mountains derive their name. These cascades were caused in part by a violent earthquake in 1700, and by earlier quakes. These caused much of nearby Table Mountain to collapse and slide into the river. For a brief time the rubble blocked the flow, creating a lake that stretched 35 miles upstream and an earthen bridge across the river that the Indians called the “Bridge of the Gods”."

Sheep Lake and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section I.1 - White Pass - Chinook Pass, Mt. Rainier, WA

This is a lovely hike with a great view of mountains and wildflowers all long the trail. Trailhead (PCT trailhead) is easy access right along HWY 410/Chinook Pass. The trail toward Sheep Lake is at the end of the parking lot behind the restrooms. The short hike leads you on along stunning vistas of the deep opening valley of Chinook Pass. The hike to the lake is about 2 miles with a gentle grade. 

The lake and lush meadows are peacefully tucked in surrounded by mountains. I saw meadows carpeted with blue lupines all over and a touch of red paintbrush for an accent. What a beauty! 

As I had a little extra time when I returned to trailhead after the short hike to Sheep Lake, I decided to make a quick side trip via PCT/Chinook Pass - White Pass. The section of PCT begins at Naches Peak loop trailhead just across the bridge of Mt. Rainier National Park over the highway (you'll see the bridge in a distance on the way back to the parking lot from Sheep Lake). 

I trekked in/out about 1 mile or so along Naches Peak loop trail as part of PCT. There are wildflower meadows, creeks, and a small lake after the forest about a mile in. I'd love to go back again and explore that section of PCT down toward White Pass.