Desolation Wilderness
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Grass Lake Desolation Wilderness |
June 18, 2010
Being anxious to learn first-hand the status of things up here, I find myself at the Lily Lake Trailhead, which is behind Fallen Leaf Lake, which is behind Lake Tahoe, which management is way behind on its website updates on current trail conditions.
Ample evidence of this year's huge snow pack is immediately available, right on the trail.
Water obstacles adorn the trail today
Glen Alpine Creek
I unobservantly walk right past the critical trail junction; but when
it becomes clear that the current route will not lead to Grass Lake, a few
dozen steps must be retraced. On the Grass Lake spur, there are three
stream crossings in the first half-mile. Two of them necessitate
balancing acts on logs, with injury likely in the event of a misstep.
Of course, these tactics should be unnecessary a month from now, with
streamflow greatly reduced.
This way. No, this way
Tricky, but not dangerous
This crossing was the most difficult
There actually are two logs, so it's not so bad
I seem to be all alone out here, having not seen another soul since
leaving the historic but virtually inactive Glen Alpine Springs; many walkers
venture no farther than that anyway. Although this dead-end
trail is generally well-maintained, it is rather rough in spots.
The roughest segment of the route
My first snow bank of the year
Today's hike is something of a photographic experiment. Having just
purchased a Canon SD-780 as a backup unit, I am testing it exclusively.
This credit-card-sized device is rated by some as the smallest 'good' camera
on the market. It is crimson-colored and beautiful, and it will
accompany me on future walks.
Now there should be no more lost photo-ops on a major portion of a hike,
such as what I experienced last week at Wapama Falls. I might well be
the only non-professional photographer on the trail lugging two cameras.
Grass Lake
Grass Lake is more or less snow-free now, and the geese are enjoying
it. Half a mile to the west is a beautiful 350-foot waterfall
that drains Susie Lake. I enjoyed a lunch at its brink last year.
Interestingly enough, I am standing just a crow-flies mile from Lake
Aloha in the heart of Desolation Valley — so near, yet so far.
Susie Lake Falls
I had hoped to cross-country over to the base of the falls today; but when the use trail turns upward into the cliffs above, I have second thoughts. Although I am not paranoid, those rocks do look like prime mountain lion habitat, and it is strongly recommended that one not hike alone here so far off the beaten path.
Resolving to make that trip some another time with company in tow,
I turn back. Almost immediately, four other hikers appear.
Possibly due to an obvious lack of fitness, they admit that they will
not be making the cross-country attempt either.
Grass Lake and Angora Peak, 8589'
Company arrives
Jacks Peak, 9856'
Fascinating rock formations abound, most of which I would have been able
to explain fifty years ago, having just completed a college geology course
at that time. I do know that the white lines are dikes —
created by volcanic action wherein hot material flowed into cracks in rock
that already had cooled and shrunk.
Stripes are in style this season
A noisy cascade flows down the south hillside from Triangle Lake and Lost Lake. Those bodies are accessible, but not from here.
The Pacific Crest / Tahoe-Yosemite Trail is just over the top of that hill
I veer off the trail in an attempt to get a better view of the cascade. When that doesn't pan out, I find a shortcut back, running right into the cabins at Glen Alpine Springs. An uneventful final mile on the gated roadway gets me back to the car.
Cracked Crag, 8782'
Note the unusual 'square' shadow on the rock face
§: If you are looking for a scenic but lesser-used trail, this one
fills the bill. If you visit too soon, however, plan to negotiate those
challenging stream crossings. To that end, a walking stick is invaluable.
I was mildly disappointed by the utter paucity of flowers in the area,
even though it was known that they would be arriving late this year.
On a brighter note, I got my first high-elevation fix of the year,
and it is none too soon. Also, my new little Canon did a credible job
today; but it will be relegated to backup-only status as planned.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty | |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude | |
