PCT 2006
Trail Tales

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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This was one of the interesting parts of the trip, as we were not really clear on where Grouse Creek Lake was, even after using Google Earth to make a best guess.   We had passed the cutoff trail many times, so we knew how to get to the canyon and it was just a question of where we would stop.   Once in the general area we were perplexed but after a bit of searching we decided on a campsite close to water, and what would turn out to be the lake outlet.   One fine point however, the lake was not there!!!   Dried up, gone, nice grassy hills but no lake.   The point of this was to get George close to Relief Peak, so at least we accomplished that.

Up early and off to catch the top of Relief Peak.   All three of us made it up to a tarn below an access ridge to Relief Peak (bone dry as well) and then George and I made our way up to one of the ridges.   As we gained the crest, beside the great views of Granite Dome and the surrounding area, there was what we guess was either a weather station or communications relay station.   The ridge from here got dicey and even George turned back.   But as he was determined to make the peak, he descended back to the tarn and took a more direct route to gain a closer ridge and the peak!   I hung out and took some of the pics below and went back to camp to get ready for the hike out to Kennedy Meadows.

Granite Dome	Geo n Geo at Camp	Lewis Lakes	Lower Relief Valley

This was one of George's shortcuts but with a rather quick elevation gain and an attempt to catch the peak from the back end.   Looked easy enough on the topo, but it quickly changed, as many things do in the mountains.   The hanging valley we hiked up was rather spectacular and dramatic, especially the cirque that bordered Blue Canyon Lake and the ridge above Kennedy Creek Canyon.   We got to a point where George saw a line up to a saddle and then up to the Peak, so off he went and I turned back to explore the other side of the canyon we had just navigated.   I soon found a graveyard of uprooted Whitebark Pines that looked like they had been done in by a snow slide many years ago.   Further down I also found some young Mountain Hemlocks sharing the soil.   Meanwhile, George had gained the saddle but once up saw that the rest of the climb was unstable and decided to head back.   Problem was the slope he had come up did not look as appealing going down, so he did the safe thing and descended down the other side to the Kennedy Creek trail and back out to Kennedy Meadows.   As he was late in coming back, I guessed that he had looped around so I jumped in the Pilot and headed down to KM to pick him up.   I should have stayed and waited, as he hitched a ride with a good looking lady and had to abort the trip when he saw me coming down the roadway.   Sorry about that George!!!   That night we were treated to some spectacular skies from a lingering weather system over Nevada combined with smoke wafting in from a small fire near the Donnell Lake overlook.

Two peaks, one day.   We awoke to a good breakfast and off to the St Mary's Pass trailhead.   Sonora and Stanislaus Peaks were the goal.   It was a gorgeous day as the sun warmed the endless array of peaks, ridges and hi-country scenery.   We made quick work of the climb up to the pass and after a short stop started for the peak.   You cross a small plain dotted with purple lupine against the red volcanic mix, and then head up the ridge to gain the top.   From here the views are 360°, from a birds eye view of the Sonora Pass area, downrange into Yosemite, the Sweetwater Range eastward, Carson-Iceberg to the North and the Dardanelles to the West.   Two wind caves allow you to stay until your heart is content.   And with George, that happens fast as there is still another peak to bag.   Off we go cross-country eventually merging with the trail that leads to the base of Stanislaus Peak.   Some very fascinating rock formations greet you as the peak comes into full view.   George spies his target and off he goes. I decide that one is enough and head back to help break camp with George Sr.   Along the way in this rather desolate, exposed section, all of a sudden a small trickle of spring water  gives birth to an exploding display of yellow flowers!!!   A nice touch by mother nature.  
We actually have a timetable to hit as we are to meet Barry for dinner in Bridgeport.   Back in 2004, he was kind enough to pick us up at Leavitt Meadows and drive us over to the Twin Lakes trailhead to start our trip, thus saving us time retrieving our SUV on the way out.   The plan was to treat him to dinner as we did not get a chance three years prior.   We hooked up right in front of the Bridgeport Court House, which I believe was used in a John Wayne movie, and off to a real dinner...   Our goal for the night was Queens Mine at the base of Boundary Peak (Nevada high point) so we finished a filling dinner and headed out for a 2 hour drive, or so we thought.   I will continue this tale next page and leave you with some pics to gaze upon.

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