(post-fire)
Eldorado National Forest
|
Mount Ralston Trail to Falls Viewpoint
(post-fire) Eldorado National Forest |
June 27, 2023
I last was on this trail eight years ago. Although the view from Ralston Peak is one of the very best in the northern Sierra, I have no plans to do that today. The Caldor Fire destroyed most of the landscape, taking much of the fun out of the climb. Today the mission is to try to find a good cliffside vantage point or two for some good views of the nearby Horsetail Falls.
Getting started
The results of a man-caused fire and bad management
Life begins anew — Polyporaceae
The ground is entirely covered by unattractive ash, but it does make for easy walking.
Pyramid Creek is down and to the left
Leaving the trail at a likely-looking spot, I do get a view of the distant cascade.
Pyramid Peak and Horsetail Falls
Nice, but I should be able to do better
Huckleberry Oak
Ladybugs are all over the place
Remaining off the trail and hugging the cliff-side for opportunities, another 400 feet of climbing begets a different perspective.
Well above the falls now
Pretty nice, but incomplete
Judging that further climbing would not improve the view, I start back. Continuing to the summit does cross my mind, but a storm seems to be brewing; so that's my excuse for turning back.
Sierra at Tahoe Ski Ranch to the south — the only area with no snow!
Wait a minute! I had overlooked a little nearby rock outcropping, so I head over there.
Better!
This could well be the best available viewpoint of the falls, at least from this side of the canyon. I never have seen the entire 700 feet of the cascade in a single view.
This is why I go hiking
The lower falls are in view as well
I didn't expect to be able to see both the upper and lower falls at the same time.
Lower Horsetail Falls puts on quite a show itself
Sitting on that rock over there, where the water curves leftward, is exhilarating.
An "artsy" last look
Leaving the overlook
Agaricaceae Fungi
Oneseed Pussypaws
That's about it for flowers on this route.
Looking west at Lovers Leap
A nicely bubbling brook off to the left is worthy of a short detour.
One of several nearby streams
Back on the trail, it appears that I could have remained in the greenery beside the creek for quite a while, with easy walking; next time, I'll do that.
I have seen enough charred bark for one day
The car appears
§: Mission accomplished! I got some reasonable shots of the highest
waterfall in California outside of Yosemite. My trek stopped just short of the
Desolation Wilderness Boundary.
It seems that I could have followed Tamarack Creek all the way to Pinecrest Camp (now called Sierra Pines Camp), which actually was the Mount Ralston Trailhead back in the 1970s; from there, a spur trail leads straight over to the current trailhead.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Adventure |  |
| Flowers |  |
(dotted line = possible alternate route)
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June 2023: The trail remains charred and ashen at least up to the
wilderness border. Some ferns are growing near the small streams. |
