Tahoe National Forest
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Duncan Peak Lookout Loop Tahoe National Forest |
September 27, 2013
Cleanup operations are underway from a recent forest fire east of Foresthill. Most of the side roads are closed due to fallen trees and whatnot, but the primary route is open to today's trailhead at Robinson Flat.
No other hikers are here
The adjacent campground is plenty busy. Everyone there seems to have an ATV; perhaps there is some sort of rally around here today. I hope that they don't throw up too much dust on my trail.
There is an unexpected and interesting historical display here.
It seems that Robinson Flat became a really important way-station
just as automobile travel was gaining popularity back in the 1920s.
Several little buildings feature artifacts or informative signs such as
one might find in a state park somewhere.
The Gas House
The Shed
The modest homestead has some beautiful antique furniture
The old water pump at the spring is fully functional
My trail is supposed to start here. A path circling the little
meadow begins to take me in the wrong direction, but a little bit of
cross-country in the direction of my GPS arrow soon puts me on
the Western States Trail heading east.
The Meadow Loop
Heading eastward on the WST
After about half a mile I encounter the anticipated junction that will turn me southward and up the mountain.
Onto the Little Bald Mountain Trail
A long series of switchbacks ensues. The going is pleasant,
because the trail is quite well-maintained.
Still some climbing to do
The last long eastward traverse exits onto a promontory that provides an unobstructed view of Tahoe Sierra Crest. This is a good place to munch some gorp and contemplate my existence.
Anderson Peak, Tinker Knob, Lyons Peak, Needle Peak, Granite Chief
This is a new perspective on those mountains, which I had not viewed previously from this angle. I was up on Anderson Peak just last week.
The Mountains of Desolation
I had not expected much from today's trail; but this section has a
pleasing top-of-the-world feel to it. The view extends
several thousand feet down in a couple of directions.
The ridge-top path is lined with manzanita. Sometimes I hate to see that plant, because it can be so difficult to bushwhack; but today it is welcome, because it adds a lot of color to an otherwise drab setting. Up ahead is a fire lookout; I suppose that I must visit it.
Nice greenery on Little Bald Mountain
The lookout is right over there
Meanwhile, I lose my way temporarily. A signpost for the Western States Trail points down the hill to the left; and there is no other marking. Although that route is not on the map, I follow it briefly, knowing that it probably is wrong. After a couple of minutes, I scramble back up the hill toward the lookout, regaining the proper trail shortly. Soon, I encounter a road to the lookout that anyone could use; but what fun would that be?
The ranger is home at Duncan Peak Lookout
Even though it rests atop Little Bald Mountain, the lookout's original name was retained after it was moved over here from from Duncan Peak itself.
Ranger John welcomes me into his home and workplace. He says that there have been few visitors since the fire, and that I am the only person he has seen today. John also informs me that deer season starts tomorrow, which explains all the activity at the campground. It's a good thing that I came here when I did, and I am somewhat irked with myself for not having done my homework in that regard.
There isn't much to do here; one either loves this job or hates it. John loves it.
John tells me a story about having recently observed a 300-pound
bear at the bottom of the stairs just after waking up. A bit later,
a bow hunter came by and asked whether any bears had been sighted.
John's answer was, "Nope". It seems that neither of us ascribes any
legitimacy to the elective killing of animals for sport.
After a most pleasant visit, I head back down the road and back onto the trail. It is only about a mile down to Robinson Flat, where the hunters' campfires are blazing.
Regaining the trail
The drive back provides reminders of both the recent conflagration and an upcoming holiday.
Duncan Peak
What's left of the forest
The Foresthill madness is premature
§: Today's walk proved rather more interesting and scenic than
was anticipated. Perhaps I will visit ranger John again; he said that
he'll be there.
My photographs, however, were quite poor today. Having used this particular camera in some rainy weather recently, I had neglected to clean the lens.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty | |
| Personality | |
| Solitude |  |
The short blue line was the correct route
