Wright's Lake June 28, 2011

Managed to drive up to within 2 miles of the lake. Took the bike uphill for about a mile, then stashed it in the woods and proceeded on foot. There was too much snow on the road to make the bike feasible. Hiked over snow berm after snow berm until I got to the boat ramp at the lake. It's completely submerged. The view is spectacular as you can see.

I think that's Mt. Price at the right. I've hiked up its shoulders to Grouse Lake and also to the cirque in the middle of the picture to Twin Lakes. I never get tired of this view and this area.

This is some of the snow we had to cross to get to the boat ramp. It was very firm and packed except at the edges and was not a problem to traverse. There was a vehicle just past this berm. He said it had taken him a half an hour to get through. I was very glad I'd oiled my boots to keep the water out because what wasn't snow was water furiously trying to get downhill right now!

I was also glad to find my bike where I had left it behind some small pinelings. It was well hidden and I walked around its vicinity before I finally spotted it.

Sun Rock Trail to Tells Creek

I've been trying to find this trail for awhile and today found part of it. It supposedly starts about 2.7 miles in from Icehouse on Cheese Camp road. I think logging and forest clean up has obliterated that part of the trail because there is no trail head at Cheese Camp. There is a forest service road at approximately 2.6 miles that leads to the base of Sun Rock. Head uphill across the huge downed tree trunk (stripped of bark) and follow the heavily eroded dry creek up. Thankfully someone had hiked up here before so I saw an occasional boot print and some cairns. At about 1/2 mile the dry creek joins the trail. It's not too hard to find as it's eroded about 6 inches below the surface although it doesn't seem heavily traveled. There were lots of downed trees and branches on the trail. I lost the trail just as it heads down after a long flat stretch (good luck) but managed to find it again. Then I lost it again at a small creek crossing (go up the creek) but managed to find it again. There were snow berms obscuring the trail near Tells Creek and the trail is wet. With the extra snow melt I certainly wasn't crossing Tells although I suppose someone with ropes, strength, a change of clothes, the ability to withstand extremely cold water, and partners might be able to get across.

I sat on a convenient log and ate my sandwich while Commando dug holes. The start and end to the hike was so-so but the middle flat part goes through a redwood forest next to a green meadow and is gorgeous. I'll do this hike again and try and make it all  the way to Bassi Creek.

On the way home we took a side trip and found the Wright's Lake cutoff to be passable. Some vehicles (very high 4WD with winch) were making it to the lake. The road to 50 is still impassable.

Camping in Sierra County CA in June 2011

Took a quick trip up to Sierra County for a camping trip. I had wanted to stay for free somewhere along the Gold Lakes highway but there was still too much snow. We ended up at the Bear Valley campground and it was lovely. There are plenty of places to hike and we had the campsite to ourselves for one night. Highlights: Bristlecone pine, Weird flower, Little Last Chance Scenic canyon, the Little Truckee river, and Commando deciding to cover himself with mud from a seep just before bed.

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