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| Trail Heads at 10,000'+ |
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| Wolf Creek Lake |
We had our issues getting into the high country this summer. First, the Donnell Fire (started August 1) spread wildly necessitating the closure of Highway 108 for about two weeks. Then the Boot Fire (near Bridgeport) shut the pass down for another few days. By mid-September the fires let up and we happily scampered up the hill for a bonus hike to Wolf Creek Lake (elevation approx. 9800') in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness. It's about an 8.25 mile round trip out-and-back hike north on the Pacific Crest Trail from the Sonora Pass Trailhead. For the first (and last) couple of miles, you walk among volcanic outcroppings and get views mainly to the south (and, oddly, of Highway 108). As the trail winds around the east flank of Sonora Peak, civilization fades away, and you feel you've truly gotten away from it all. You're almost certain to encounter PCT hikers attempting a through-hike (doing the entire 2653 mile length in one season) or section hikers filling in the gaps. Say "Hi" and ask their trail names.
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| Lunch on the slick rock |
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| Water remained in a deep pool |
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| Where' the H2O? |
Back to our first Saturday schedule, we had a splendid fall hike to Cleo's Bath on October 6. Cleo's Bath is a popular swimming hole on the South Fork Stanislaus River near where it flows into Pinecrest Lake. At just over 6 miles round trip, this is a relatively easy hike with a DIFFICULT short section of low-level rock climbing on the final approach to Bath-level. At first you walk the pleasant trail around the south end of the lake. You'll share the trail with trail-runners and walkers young and old. You'll hear the lapping of water as canoes and kayaks ply the water. You'll smell breakfast cooking in the nearby cabins. After a mile or so, you'll head east up an seasonal stream bed and gain a little elevation.
You'll come upon an interpretive exhibit with a steam donkey and a panel describing early water diversion efforts that resulted in three crib dams: Lake Edna, Lake Eleanor, and Lake Gertrude. Lake Edna has become Pinecrest Lake, Lake Gertrude is vanished, but a little ways from the interpretive spot, you'll find the remains of Lake Eleanor. Eventually the trail will cross large expanses of granite and will become hard to spot. Watch for cairns/ducks (rock piles) and
blue spray-painted arrows to find your way. Arriving at the Baths is breathtaking, and not because you've just hauled butt up a short 400' incline. The river makes that same drop you just climbed but first creating a network of several levels of slick rock, deep pools that are nothing less than awesome. There was water in the larger pools but, so late in the season, no flow down to the lake.
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| Distant Pinecrest |
The trailhead for Cleo's Bath is at Pinecrest Lake in the southwest area, just past the amphitheatre and the accessible fishing platform). There are plentiful bathrooms all along the approach to the trailhead. Be aware, at certain times of the year, dogs aren't allowed on certain sections of the trail around the lake. Also, we don't recommend the Cleo's Bath hike for dogs, unless you're able to hoist your pooch over sizable boulders!
Thank you, Sue Fristad, for the excellent photos of Cleo's Bath!
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