Off Trail in the Sierra National Forest

For the maiden voyage of our new all purpose car, I decided to try a road that was supposed to be “green” (i.e., easy) offroad trail. It’s on the opposite side of the valley from another road I’m familiar with and felt confident I could navigate with the new vehicle. However, when we got to the intended road, it was not suitable for a lone Outback without any rescue gear, even with extra clearance on the Wilderness edition.

So on to Plan B. I checked the map for other routes and noted a trail that was on some of the older maps but disappeared from newer ones. This usually means that it’s now a poorly defined but passable use trail and since it was through what looked like pretty easy terrain, I dictated (over some objections) that we’d try it. “Good choice, Dad!” (said no one).

Selfie at the trailhead. Is there a trail there. No.

The ridge line up was very dry and hot, including the creek crossing where I had planned to get water, which we found just barely damp. A little detour of about a mile got us to this creek from a larger drainage basin. Very happy to get a drink and cool off our feet.

Nearing the pass, the terrain changed to open moraine with dwarf lupine.

Almost to the top

And there it is. The Margaret Lakes basin with the Cockscomb right in the middle. This pass is almost exactly 11,000 feet.

At that altitude, there’s some entertaining snow fields.

So of course the boys spent some time glissading.

Maybe a little performative, but the only pirouette of the day.

A slightly different view into the basin

Almost done descending through car-sized talus. This area was supposed to have a trail but if it ever did, it’s long gone and made for very difficult travel.

Worth it. This meadow was full of flowers at their peak.

And a nice little creek meandering through.

Missed the focus, but nice anyway.

Pretty alright.

There weren’t even any mosquitoes yet.

The lake we’d stay at this night.

Joe literally chills out.

Some nice blooms on the marshy side of the lake.

Stunning mirror effect in the calm evening. Pretty unusual conditions for the time of day.

I wish I could make this waaaaay bigger.

A little evening reading in the tent.

And in the morning - coffeeeeeeeee

Yet more flowers on the hike out.

And more. Sam is contemplating an alternative route up to the pass. He didn’t like my route down, so demanded to pick and navigate the way back.

That notch right in front is the one he selected.

Back through this amazing meadow.

Almost up. Very easy going on the route that Sam selected.

He wants to jump in.

Uhhh, more flowers.

The snowmelt temperature changed his mind. Feet are enough.

Last pitch, last view east.

On the way down - Lake Edison and Florence Lake are both visible in the distance.

On the way back to the car I found the electronics from an old balloon sonde

This is a Vaisala patent from 1986.

An the other side with some cutting edge processing power.