Mokelumne Wilderness
|
Round Top Reprise Mokelumne Wilderness |
July 3, 2015
Hiker friend Cindy, albeit just a few years younger than I, is planning an assault of Mount Kilimanjaro in September. Because I know the local trails and she does not, I have become the de facto 'trainer' for the mission.
Today we will try our luck on Round Top, which actually is more than half
as tall as Kilimanjaro itself! Also, it is time for the obligatory
annual visit to Ted's Gardens. Friends Carrie and David
have joined us for this trek.
Entering a special place
David is slow getting started
Carrie auditions for the movies
Slendertube Skyrocket
Sulfur-flower Buckwheat
It had rained in Placerville just before we passed through on the way up, and there are lots of clouds present now. I sure hope they don't present a problem.
The destination is imposing
Spotted Locoweed
Sierra Penstemon
Common Flax
Royal Penstemon
Elephants Back, 9585'
The meadow does not disappoint us. All the usual suspects are present.
Ted's Garden #1
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
Nuttall's Larkspur
Subalpine Fleabane
Crimson Columbine
Horsemint
Bigleaf Lupine
At the spring
Corn Lily
Booth's Willow
Elephant Heads
The gang stops for a breather at Winnemucca Lake. Afterwards, Carrie displays her balancing skills for the assembled crowd.
Snack time
Performing at the Caples Creek crossing
It is but a short detour over to Ted's Garden #2 — the Heather Patch.
Ted's Garden #2
Red Mountain Heather
White Mountain Heather
It being the July 4 holiday weekend, this popular trail is the busiest that I ever have seen it. Above us, climbers are attacking the mountain from several directions.
He's on top already
Taking the hard way up
The trail to Round Top Lake
Around the next corner are a pair of cascades framed by crimson flower
patches. The stream flow is meager, but this is a good-feeling
place nonetheless.
Water, water everywhere
Sierra Primrose
Lots of activity today
"Somebody must have brought an edger up here"
Round Top Lake and West Sister
This is the end of the line for Carrie and David, who have elected to hang
out here while Cindy and I do our mountain-climber thing.
Another hiker takes a nice group shot without cutting our feet off
Many others are trying for the summit
My former ascent of this peak was eight years ago. This use trail is just as steep and rough now as it was then.
Starting up the hill above the lake
Snow remains on the north-facing slope
Only 500 feet to go
During one of many rest stops, there is time to chat with other hikers. We are told that this dog doesn't like to have its paws touched, but it surely does benefit from having shoes up here.
The husky has four booties
Polemonium
East Sister
Other hikers are clambering up and down the summit block. Soon it will be our turn.
Getting closer
Others are following us up
Amazing colors on the summit block
When the going becomes more difficult, Cindy ditches her walking sticks,
wanting both hands free to deal with the rock and scree. Class-3
scrambling is new to her, but she is handling it quite well.
Any slip could work out badly
Almost there
Made it! The three folk on the highest rock don't seem anxious to share it, so we hang out just below. In any case, the panorama is spectacular:
Blue Lakes to the east
Summit City Canyon in the south
Round Top Lake and Caples Lake to the northwest
Because the others are waiting below, we don't tarry. Cindy has gotten her "elevation fix," so we start back down shortly after catching a few breaths and a few photos.
This is why I go hiking
Today's wildlife entry
Because it is so steep and slippery, descending this tortuous route takes every bit as long as when heading up. Reaching the creek begets sighs of relief, for now the going will be easier. I refill three water bottles here, because David and Carrie might need some.
Careful footing is in order
Making our own route alongside the stream
I had wanted to follow this stream all the way down, but there is a snow bank in the way. Detouring around and above it proves quite easy, though; and this route is much more fun than that crummy use trail.
Round Top Lake and West Sister
Back at the lake shore, a family of hikers grills me about our recently completed trek, and about other area attractions. I hand them a calling card, hoping that they will make use of it and read these journals.
A painter does his thing
Winnemucca Lake
No one is up there now
The Rock Fringe are exquisite
The big waterfall
I consider it still a bit too cold for decent swimming in Winnemucca Lake, but others are braving the elements to a certain degree.
The water is not as inviting as it may look
Back at the crossing
Cindy steps into the creek
Ramparts overlooking the cirque
Across Highway-88 to the north is another area high point that I visited a couple of years ago. Doubtless Cindy would like to climb up there soon.
Red Lake Peak, 10069'
Because all of us are reasonably weary, we elect to forgo the rest of the Garden Loop on this occasion. It will just have to be completed at another time.
Back in the big garden
Frog Lake
John's deer is somewhat the worse for wear
§: Today's hike was for me an immensely rewarding outing,
and I believe that the others are highly pleased as well.
Sharing special places with friends is so satisfying. On top
of that, the weather was perfect and there were virtually no bugs.
I'll be spending a lot more time around here, in the Garden Spot of the Northern Sierra; and you should do the same. This second ascent of Round Top, however, might well be my last; for there are other mountains to conquer, and time and energy are becoming ever more precious commodities.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Flowers | |
| Personality |  |
| Adventure |  |
| Solitude |  |
ADDENDUM
Two months after this walk, Cindy did make it up Mount Kilimanjaro
(19341'), whereas several of her party did not. Because Cindy
had a real struggle and barely managed it herself, I would like to think that
her successful mission began right here, on the training hill called Round Top.
