Carson-Iceberg Wilderness
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Sword Lake, County Line Trail Carson-Iceberg Wilderness |
September 17, 2009
On my way home from a fine outing in Yosemite yesterday, I have opted to
return via Sonora Pass just to be different, and today's hike is conveniently
located along the way. After six miles on a graded, but slow and bumpy
mountain road, a trailhead appears. It already is 70°, so it's
going to be a warm walk — which is ironic, considering that this
is the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.
The County Line Trail, touted as the most popular route in this wilderness, winds rather steeply up a hillside, then levels off for a while. Aside from a little spring flowing across the path, a few dozen fresh horse puckies provide the only excitement thus far.
Starting out
Spring crossing
My map says that it is 1.8 miles to a junction, but it feels like more.
Half a mile beyond that point, I find the trail-desecrators parked at my
objective. Nearby, the erstwhile equestrians are chatting amiably
from their perch on a high rock.
A shady trail
The stable
Sword Lake itself is beautiful, as expected. Being long and thin with two prongs at one end, it does resemble the shape of some sort of dagger or short sword, I suppose.
Sword Lake
Of course, I must make the requisite circuit of the lake shore.
The inevitable use trail is predictably exciting — sometimes going
around the boulders, sometimes straight over them. Here I get my first good
view of the nearby high lava flow known as The Dardanelles. As they were
behind me during the walk in, I did not particularly notice those high cliffs.
North shore
Use trail around the lake
The Dardanelles
I didn't know that pine cones came in this color
The beavers have been busy
The 'trail' is dead ahead
Near the lake's outlet at its eastern end are a number of so-called
floating islands — chunks of sod and plants that have separated from
the lake shore. These particular derelicts have been anchored by sunken logs.
One of several floating islands
At one point on the loop I opt for the low road along the southern
shore. This proves to be a mistake, for soon I find myself bushwhacking
up a 30-foot slope of manzanita much taller than I am. Just
after concluding that I must be going where no man has gone before, I find
a candy wrapper at my feet. Stuffing the offending item into my
designated litter-collection pocket, I am mildly comforted by the
fact that I am not the first idiot to find himself in this predicament.
Then I am compelled to scale an 8-foot cliff as a penalty.
Once atop the rock, it is time to check for wood ticks.
Sword Lake outlet
More floating islands
Being aware that the big Spicer Meadow Reservoir is nearby, I nevertheless have no interest in attempting to view it. A glimpse of that body from the trail reveals a typical unnatural shoreline consisting of an ugly barren slope resembling a bathtub ring. It's a place that only fishers or a utility company could love.
On the return route, I take time to photograph what few flowers I would see today. Several varieties of butterfly are around, but only one individual consents to having its picture taken.
California Fuchsia
Late-stage Bull Thistle
It is becoming quite warm
At least I don't have to climb those mountains
Asters
An unusual geologic effect
A Dog Face Butterfly on Mountain Monardella
A close-up view of The Dardanelles and a long-distance shot of the Sierra crest
avail themselves at the top of the hill, where I consume the last of my water.
It is 81 degrees at the trailhead — which was okay today,
yet hot enough to have been uncomfortable had the going been more taxing.
The omnipresent cliffs
Leavitt Peak and its companions are nearly twenty miles distant
§: Sword Lake is a worthwhile destination on a properly maintained
trail. Adjacent to it is Lost Lake, which I would like to have visited;
but having inexplicably failed to consult a map recently, I didn't even know
it was there. Shucks. This walk was pleasant, but not one that I am
likely to repeat; for there are just too many other places to explore.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude |  |
