Mokelumne Wilderness
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Devils Corral Overlook Mokelumne Wilderness |
August 29, 2023
Some years ago, a hiker friend shared that he had spent the day over in a canyon long
known as Devils Corral; so of course, I put it on my bucket list. Today, I have
made the 127-mile drive to check it out on what would be a long loop, mostly
off-trail.
I start out poorly, because the map is not clear as to where to access the needed trail. After walking a quarter of a mile up the 4WD Forestdale Road, I realize that the trail is down at the bottom of the deep wash to my left wash; so I head back to the car to reconnoiter.
Getting started on the wrong trail
After unloading the windbreaker that I surely would not need in any case, I decide
to abandon the lengthy cross-country option and head in the other direction,
up a cliff to a saddle that should provide me some good views.
Walking through an empty campground is eerie, and somewhat depressing
Why the two campgrounds on this lake are closed in mid-summer is unknown; but my focus is on circling around the west side of Upper Blue Lake, remaining high enough to avoid the expansive wetlands near the shore.
A social trail keeps me out of most of the marsh and mud
Upper Blue Lake
A Google Earth view of the upcoming cliff did not reveal whether it would be climbable, but there usually is a way. So far, it looks okay from here.
The going is fairly easy
Near the top, the gradient becomes steeper. Angling toward the granite slabs for good traction usually is best, but not today; for the rock is covered by sand. I detour around the slabs, holding onto manzanita branches for security. I'll plan not to return the same way.
On the saddle after a 400-foot climb
The western wall of Devils Corral is spectacular indeed
I still have the option of continuing the originally planned loop, albeit backwards, which would involve a thousand-foot descent through the 'corral' over to the Evergreen Trail, then mostly uphill from there. I just don't feel as energetic today, though, as I did three days ago over in Shirley Canyon. Feeling the need to do something worthwhile, though, I'll wander northward on this ridgetop for a while and see what develops.
Easy walking on decomposed granite
Yes, the views of those cliffs might have been pretty special from below
Nearly a mile away
After another 300-foot climb, this ridge abruptly ends at Peak 8902, its high-point.
My first-ever view into Summit City Canyon
On the other side of that wall are Ted's Five Gardens; how different it is over here!
Round Top is over there
The Pacific Crest Trail switchbacks up the slope
Having been well aware of Summit City Canyon, I never had seen any part of it except from the summit of Round Top.
The view northward
I could walk a little farther west to see whether the views improve, yet inexplicably decline to do so. It is time to contemplate a continuation. Descending northeast would beget a real trail about 250 feet below; but heading straight down toward the trailhead looks doable enough as well, from what I can see.
It's a 700-foot drop from here
This could be a challenge, but at least I know which way to go.
In the distance, the recently renamed Da-ek Dow Go-et Mountain makes its presence
known
After a somewhat difficult start, the gradient becomes more friendly. No particular obstacle presents itself, and no bushwhacking is required.
Choosing the path of least resistance is working out so far
Eventually, I am compelled to remain near the bottom of a big wash. Knowing that there is a trail parallelling the far side of the creek, I opt to cross it.
Middle Creek
Shortly after regaining a real trail, my trek is complete.
It's over
Beside Upper Blue Lake
§: Well, I did see some interesting new stuff, and my cross-country
ventures proved a total success. In retrospect, I did myself a disservice
by not exploring another few hundred feet westward on Peak 8902, which would
have provided my best views of Summit City Canyon and even a glimpse of distant
Fourth of July Lake. It is highly unlikely that I would return, however,
just to make up for that lack of enterprise.
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