Tahoe NF
|
Summit Lake Tahoe NF |
July 23, 2012
I had planned to meet my sister for a hike today; but thunderstorms have
unexpectedly arisen in the I-80 area. Margaret's windshield wiper
is broken, so she has canceled on me. As long as I am up here, however,
I must do something to justify two hundred miles of driving; so I will take
a shorter walk at Donner Summit and brave the threat of rain.
As soon as I set out on the trail, I notice the little sign identifying the new Donner Lake Rim Trail. I am officially walking on it for the first time.
The Donner Lake Rim Trail passes through here
Despite the humidity, it feels really good on this trail. Having expected a hot day, this cooler climate is most refreshing.
The trail is pleasantly damp
Cloudy days make for good flower photography, and damp leaves make them even better yet; so I find myself stopping a lot and bending over beside the trail to take pictures.
Crimson Columbine
Mountain Monardella
Corn Lily
Checkerbloom
The meadow is almost sunny
Hmm. I seem to recall that my late wife and I foolishly planted some marijuana seeds around here about forty years ago. This clearly was not the right place to plant them, but it was fun anyway.
Rock Tripe fungus
Alpine Lilies
My reverie is temporarily interrupted by the sight of the freeway, but soon the road disappears again.
Out of mind, but not out of sight
Pinedrops, old and new
Summit Lake soon appears. The last time I was here, with my
bride-to-be, we rescued a dragon fly from drowning. Today,
those guys are having the good sense to stay out of the rain.
Summit Lake
Naturally, I must circumambulate this lake — because it is there.
The back side of Summit Lake
About halfway around the lake, thunderclaps abound and it begins to rain in
earnest. Taking shelter underneath a fallen tree, I stand for about five
minutes listening to the pitter-patter before it subsides.
It's raining harder now
My haven from the downpour
As I return to the trail, a foursome proclaims that they just weathered a small hailstorm. Perhaps I was lucky to have missed it.
The old Donner Summit area
Back through the nice meadow
Meadow Sweet
Bunchleaf Penstemon
On the return leg, I find myself walking faster than usual. The additional exertion feels really good right now.
Jelly fungi
Back at the trailhead
Behind the rest station
§: What a fun outing this was! That was the first time it
has rained on me since my trek to Gertrude Lake five years ago, when I was
totally unprepared for a change in the weather. Perhaps I'll request
another thunderstorm for the next hike!
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty | |
| Personality |  |
| Flowers |  |
| Weather | |
| Solitude |  |
