Bucks Lake Wilderness
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Gold Lake Bucks Lake Wilderness |
May 21, 2012
This day began as a hike in Feather River Canyon; but after climbing some 300 feet and concluding that it was too hot down there, something else was in order. After a substantial extra drive up through Quincy, I find myself at remote Silver Lake, on the edge of the Bucks Lake Wilderness.
Silver Lake
Just one campsite is occupied; doubtless the others will fill up by Memorial Day.
There is nothing of interest here
Against a strong breeze I start up a trail that is signed
"GOLD LAKE 16", with other destinations even farther away.
Oh well, I'll just go as far as I please and call it a day. At least
I am on an actual alpine trail for the first time this season.
My first visit here
After briefly toying with a use trail that stays closer to the lake, I abandon it and rejoin the main route. I cannot remember just what I had seen on the topo map during prior research at home; I recall only that there are a couple of presumably interesting destinations not far away. Inexplicably, I had not already printed a map of this area for my mobile library.
Looking back
Looking ahead
The wind has died down to a pleasant gentle breeze. As I round the top of the first low hill, I spot some nice cascades plunging from a little lake hanging below the distant cliff. That looks like a worthwhile destination; I hope that the trail heads over in that direction.
There is a little lake in the center of the photo
I need not have worried; for the trail heads directly toward the
objective. At a signed junction I am instructed to to turn left
for Gold Lake or veer right for other attractions. Now it is clear
that the original sign designated 1.6 miles, not 16 miles!
All of the mileage-indicator numbers must have decimal points in
them. It seems that I will visit Gold Lake after all.
Water on the trail
Water beside the trail
At the nearest creek, the path is drowned in puddle of water; I bushwhack around it about a hundred feet upstream. As I approach another creek, the trail fades. After detouring up beside the pretty running water, I realize that there is insufficient room for a lake up here; so the trail must cross this stream also.
Fawn Lilies: the only flowers on the trail today
The only snow on the trail today
Success!
Gold Lake <This photo is famous!
See below>
I have had my eye on a couple of interesting-looking trees on the far cliff. A closer view is in order:
Nifty trees
Well! Munching grapes and observing the scenery above this pretty little lake certainly is better than dealing with the hot sun over by the Feather River.
One of two cascades that feed the lake
Northward view
The main trail is visible on that green hill
As I start back, I spot a grouping of the most colorful fawn lilies I ever have seen. When I place my walking stick on the ground in preparation for a photograph, it promptly rolls over the flowers and breaks their fragile stem. Horrors! I feel awful. There is nothing for it now, however, but to prop up the little guys and take their pictures as if nothing untoward has happened.
The prettiest dead flowers in the wilderness
Jacks Meadow Pond
Jacks Meadow Creek
Back at the swamp
At the trail junction, I opt to save the area's other attractions for another day. The Pacific Crest Trail runs along the top of the cliff just half a mile away, and the highest peak in this wilderness is nearby as well.
A final look at Gold Lake
Just as I am composing my final photo, the couple from the campsite unexpectedly emerges from behind the bushes into my view.
Approaching Silver Lake
§: This was a nice walk with little elevation change.
I will return for further exploration.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality | |
| Flowers | |
| Solitude |  |
ABOUT THE GOLD LAKE PHOTO
I am pleased that the head of Media Services at Lassen National Park opted to use this photo in the brochure for the nationwide 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Federal Wilderness Act of 1964. This particular event was held in Red Bluff:
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September 2021: The entire Bucks Lake Wilderness has burned. |
