Hiking Big Pine Lakes to Sam Mack Meadow in High Sierra 8/2017 - North Fork Big Pine Creek, CA

Second Lake and Temple Crag

August 27, 2017

Overview

Big Pine Lakes hike takes you to one of the most beautiful areas in eastern High Sierra. With jaw-dropping vistas of pristine glacier lakes and peaks of the Palisades in Sierra Nevada, this is a two thumbs up hike and popular destination for passionate Sierra hikers.

The route runs along North Fork of Big Pine Creek. The trail never gets monotonous as it keeps entertaining with a variety of terrains and dramatic scenery one after another....bridges, waterfalls, creek crossings, mountain peaks, forests, Lon Chaney cabin, alpine lakes, meadows and wildflowers. The trail is well marked and in good shape, ascending gradually from trailhead/7,800' to a series of lakes above 10,000'. After Third Lake, the trail comes to a junction splitting into two trails.....either hike to Fourth Lake or take Glacier Trail which ends at Sam Mack Meadow/11,100' with an option to head further up to the Palisade Glacier.

My plan was to hike up to the first three lakes and continue on to Sam Mack Meadow as I started late/1pm after driving 6.5hrs to get to trailhead. Although I left an option in mind to hike further up to the Palisade glacier if time allowed, time ran out when I reached Sam Mack after 5pm. And yet, the journey was entirely worth the effort and exceeded my expectation with absolutely gorgeous views all along even though it was a strenuous day hike of 8 miles one way/3,300' gain.  

My advice for this amazing hike is to start early or overnight (permit required) so that you'll have adequate time to explore and enjoy leisurely instead of a grueling march. Also, bring enough water or filter to stay hydrated as the trail is exposed after the tree line and the journey can be rather long depending on how far you want to go. 

First, Second and Third Lake 

The trail gradually ascends from trailhead and travels along Big Pine Creek. From the beginning, this hike provides stunning views all along the trail near and far. Take time and enjoy the views as you go. After the first bridge, the trail climbs steeply for a short distance. At the trail sign, take North Fork Big Pine. Crossing the second bridge and through the treeline, the view opens up into Big Pine Basin with Mt. Alice rising majestic. The trail continues to climb in long switchbacks on the hillside and passes by a waterfall. The view from the waterfall down toward the basin is spectacular. Trekking 4.5 miles from trailhead, you come to First Lake/9,960'. Take in the first view of the stunning color of the glacier lake. As you continue on the trail for another mile, Second Lake/10,059' comes in sight. It's a wow moment as you overlook the stunningly beautiful color of the lake with Temple Crag towering on the other side. It's quite dramatic and sensational.  Feed your soul.

Lon Chaney Cabin

Lon Chaney was one of the famous actors of early Hollywood. He starred in The Hunchback of Norte Dame and The Phantom of the Opera. He was also known as "The Man of a Thousand Faces" for his extraordinary talent of makeup techniques. Interestingly, Lon Chaney had a cabin built in the pristine wilderness in High Sierra which still exists today. The cabin is located right by the trail in 3.5 miles from trailhead.

Glacier trail to Sam Mack Meadow 

After Third Lake, the trail splits into two ways; one continues on to Fourth Lake and the other is Glacier Trail. Glacier trail travels through a lush alpine meadow with a creek and wildflowers. After the meadow, the trail climbs steeply in switchbacks, partially rocky, and then into Sam Mack Meadow above 11,000'. Sam Mack Meadow is beautiful with a wide stream running through it and wildflowers are blooming. The meadow is surrounded by walls of mountain ridges. From the meadow, the tips of the Palisade peaks are visible. Sam Mack Meadow reminds me of "Shangri-La" in James Hilton's LOST HORIZON....a paradise valley hidden deep within the high mountains of the Himalayas.

First Lake

 Temple Crag

Third Lake reflecting Temple Crag

Third Lake and Temple Crag

Temple Crag seen from the meadow

Wildflowers in Sam Mack Meadow

Sam Mack Meadow

Peaks of the Palisades seen from Sam Mack Meadow

Hike up Mount Dana (13,061') 8/15/2017 - Yosemite National Park, CA

August 15, 2007

Mount Dana 13,061' is the second highest peak in Yosemite after Mount Lyell (13,120'). The trail reaches the summit in 2.6 miles. It's relatively a short hike; however, the journey to scale Dana is challenging due to high altitude climbing up to over 13,000'. So, pace yourself as you go.  

There's no trailhead sign for this hike. The trail starts right behind the staff parking area ("Authorized Vehicles Only") across the road from Tioga Pass East Entrance of Yosemite NP. The trail is in good shape over all. The first mile is loaded with wildflowers, wow! Their display is quite impressive. 

The trail climbs steeply after meadows with lakes and flowers. Soon the forest thins out and steep rocky terrain begins. Enjoy views as you go. There's a short snowfield to cross around 11,600', but not difficult to traverse. The last 700' to the summit gets tough with the trail climbing up the steep slope of scree and talus rock above 1,2000'. Follow cairns as you go.  

Although the journey started out with blue skies and broken clouds, by the time when I reached the top, clouds rolled in covering the west side of the mountain while the east side remained clear. Hence, there was no view to the west, but the view to the east was spectacular with Mono Lake, Dana plateau/glaciers and beyond. Although the western views were blocked with the clouds, it actually created such a surreal beauty surrounding the summit. It was worth the effort. 

Big mountains like Dana make their own weather. Keep an eye on cloud formations for whiteout and thunderstorms. Mountain weather can change very quickly. Stay vigilant as you go. Happy hiking! ;)

 Video by Lifeisamt

Pyramid Peak Via Rocky Canyon Trail - Desolation Wilderness, CA

Pyramid Peak seen from Ralston Peak 6-30-2017

July 30, 2017


When I hiked into Lake Aloha in Desolation Wilderness last year, I saw a pyramid-like granite mountain towering over the lake. It was Pyramid Peak I saw for the first time. I was so fascinated by the shape of the peak just like a pyramid and wondered if there was any trail going up to the top. Later I learned Rocky Canyon trail was the most direct and shortest approach to summit. This June when I hiked up Ralston Peak and faced Pyramid Peak for the second time, I set my eyes on Pyramid.

Scaling Pyramid Peak via Rocky Canyon trail is the most vertical climb in the Tahoe Sierra, gaining 4,100' elevation in 3.5 miles reaching the summit at 9,983'. That said, the journey is challenging and strenuous. However, the reward at the end is worth the effort, that is, a spectacular view in all directions into Desolation Wilderness and beyond....Crystal Range, Lake Aloha, Desolation Valley, Lake Tahoe, Carson Range, peaks of Carson Pass and beyond as far as you can see. Also, Wildflowers are blooming in meadows and I saw a wilderness resident....marmot!

Trailhead
There is no official trailhead for this hike. Park your car along highway 50 heading east about a mile after passing Strawberry Lodge. There is a small dirt pullout for several cars near the overhead traffic info board. If it's full, park along the road, but beware of "no parking" sign.

The entry point to the trail is across the road from the old 43 mile stone marker. There's also a big rock obscurely painted in gray at the point where you make a short climb up to the trail. Once you climb up the embankment, soon you'll see the obvious trail.

Journey
The trail is in good condition overall and climbs steeply from the beginning and crosses a creek in about a mile. There are many blowdowns along the trail, so you have to cross over or veer around them. Follow cairns as you go, so you can stay on the route. If you end up bushwhacking along the way, you are likely not on the right track. The forest gradually thins out after crossing the creek and you come to meadows where the trail levels out...wildflowers are blooming nicely. After the meadows, the trail gets steep again and Pyramid Peak comes in sight. There are some snow fields along the trail, but it's easy to cross. The trail becomes a scree slope and climbs steeply in switchbacks along the southeast ridge of Pyramid Peak. Pace yourself with high altitude/9,000'+ and make a final push through talus rocks to the summit. Be careful as you ascend the talus slope....rock and boulder hopping. Make sure your footing and hand holds are secure and stable on the rock. Take in amazing vistas from the top. Two thumbs up!

Bring enough water or filter to stay hydrated. The route is exposed to the sun above as the timberline thins out. Be watchful for thunderstorms as they tend to develop more frequently in mid summer. Wilderness permit is required because Pyramid Peak is within Desolation Wilderness. Permit is available/free at Pacific Ranger Station or Twin Bridges/Pyramid Creek trailhead.

 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

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

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

North Table Mountain Wildflowers and Phantom Falls - North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, CA

April 29, 2017

Wildflowers galore! This is a beautiful pastoral hike with wildflowers, streams and waterfalls everywhere. Beautiful landscape and terrains are easy to navigate so that kids and families can enjoy.

This is an elevated basalt mesa, relatively flat and broad, with canyons dropping straight in sheer cliffs. The ancient lava flows have created a harsh environment that many different wildflowers take advantage of. Vernal pools form because the rain can’t easily penetrate the hard surface. Cattle graze on the Reserve, which helps the native plants by keeping out invasive grasses and nurtures soils. This is where the land and nature are ecologically balanced....and then there are those cattle.

Follow the trails and wander off, enjoying flowers and streams. There's a large oak tree by the parking lot. It's the landmark for your return. You find Ravine Falls and Phantom Falls by hiking towards the northwest from the parking lot in about 1.5 - 2 miles. There are other waterfalls you come across as you wander.

Video by Lifeisamt

Super Bloom Wildflowers 2017 - Carrizo Plain National Monument, CA

April 21, 2017 

Super bloom 2017! Even though wildflowers are past the peak, there are still quite a few blooming beautifully in many places in Carrizo Plain. Particularly the north side of Temblor range is still bursting with bright yellow flowers and some orange and purple. Down in the valley the flower fields along Soda Lake are fading in color, displaying the last stage of super bloom, perhaps.

 

Video by Lifeisamt

 

Ray Miller BackboneTrail Wildflowers 2017 - Point Mugu State Park/La Jolla Canyon, CA

April 19, 2017

Hills are alive with wildflowers! This is a gorgeous hike with breathtaking ocean views, wildflowers and birds chirping everywhere. It must be a super bloom effect. Colorful wildflowers are seen all along the trail and hillsides. Many different colors...yellow, orange, blue, purple, red, pink, white and more. CA poppy is one of them. I wish I knew the names of all the flowers I saw.

Trail climbs moderately to reach a vista point where the view opens up. A little farther up if you go to the top of saddle, 360 pano offers sweeping views of Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica mountains.

Note that La Jolla Canyon trail is closed. Ray Miller trailhead is open for this hike. Make sure to read updated notice/warnings at the trailhead before your journey. Also, be aware that trail partially gets brushy due to overgrown vegetation...invasive plants like Black Mustard covering part of the way, which could cause ecologically negative impacts and threats.

You can learn more about invasive plants at Santa Monica Mountains NPS site:

https://www.nps.gov/samo/learn/management/invasive-plants.htm

 

Video by Lifeisamt