Showers Lake via PCT - 9/28/2025

 

We arrived at the trailhead just before 9am and, after our preparation ritual, we started out through the cool morning breeze for a five mile hike to Showers Lake (and, of course, a five mile hike back). The weather felt like an October morning in September.

The trail was instantly beautiful with interesting trees, boulders rising from the ground and song birds singing to greet the day. The morning light provided great views and shadows in the distance.

Because it’s the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the trail is very well maintained, but that also makes it popular - though most of the time people exhibited good trail etiquette.

The more we walked along the trail, the more I fell in love with the landscape and the scenery and the natural music of the mountains. I especially enjoyed the sound of the wind in the aspen leaves.

We saw several meadows in the distance with the subtle beginnings of changing leaves - I think I snapped about 25 photos of meadows alone. We also met three groups of overnight backpackers who had spent the night at the lake and sang the praises of its beauty.

It was another steep, uphill climb as we neared the lake, but we just toughed it out until we reached a plateau. I saw a sign that directed us to the left for Showers Lake, but the map told us to stay of the PCT, so we stayed on the PCT and quickly found ourselves facing the grand beauty of Showers Lake. I joked that maybe it was a different lake, but Sue assured me in no uncertain terms that it was the only lake in the vicinity. 

 We ate our sandwiches while sitting on a boulder and then made our way back.

On the return trip, we encountered quite a few hikers heading toward the lake. There are no bicycles allowed on the PCT, so we only encountered people on foot. There were the tell-tale signs of equestrians (who is supposed to clean up the horse manure?).

As promised, we stopped at the Miess family cabins and the sign told us that it was a historic site built int he late 19th century - 1878. They built a ranch which remained in their family until 1936.

Back on the PCT, I was again pleased to hear the music of the wind in the dead leaves - sounded like maracas and it put a smile on my face.

We saw more scenic views with different light as the day progressed.

And then, after another uphill climb, and the music of the aspen tree leaves, we were back in the parking lot and, after a friendly conversation with some bikers on a Harley, we made our exit.

An exceptional day in the mountains. We hiked 10.47 miles with an elevation gain of 1,424 feet.

Castle Peak - Soda Springs, CA - Tahoe National Forest - 9/21/2025

A couple of weeks ago, we hiked to the Peter Grubb Hut in Soda Springs in the Tahoe National Forest. In my write up, I mentioned that we could see Castle Peak above us the entire time and I think I said that someday we would hike up to it. Well that day was today.

We parked in the exact same parking spot and the first mile or so was a repeat performance - uphill on a dodgy road with lots of rocks and puddles.

Then we turned right at the sign for Castle Peak.

The new path immediately became more rugged and steep, but it was a nice morning, with a cool breeze blowing in our faces as we climbed. And there was nary a soul around.

Along the way, we stopped to look at the scenery and take a breath. The elevation was hitting me with all the uphill hiking.

It didn’t take too long to reach the first rock formations, but we still had a long way to go.

As we climbed, more and more clouds seemed to appear in the sky that was so blue when we started out.

We had to scramble through loose rocks as we approached the peak.

The top was breathtakingly beautiful. There was one higher peak, but the path to it appeared extra dangerous, so we settled on the second highest.

We had our sandwiches and then made our way back. The air was very cool and I was glad I brought a long sleeve shirt along (just in case). We were happy to have the place to ourselves, though we met a couple of people arriving as we were leaving.

On the hike down, we had to take it slow because of the loose rock and the steep grade. We saw an unbelievable amount of people hiking up as we hiked down. Everyone was friendly and some asked questions about the peak. Also, there were quite a few people with dogs.

Even moving slowly, we made great time because it was all downhill. We made it back to the rocky road in a short time and then back to the car.

Our total hike was 6. 02 miles with an elevation gain of 1,808. Another great hike!

 

 

Grouse Lake, Hemlock Lake and Smith Lake - Kyburz, CA - 9/14/2025

 We drove to the Wrights Lake Campground area and found parking near the Twin Lakes trailhead. Performed the usual pre-hike rituals and set out for a new adventure in a familiar stomping ground.

The first leg of the trail follows the path to Twin Lakes, so we saw the usual bridge in the morning light.
 

In the distance, Sue noticed a blue heron and I managed to get a photo of it using the zoom feature.

We were on the route to Grouse Lake, Hemlock Lake and Smith Lake. It would be about six miles with an elevation gain of around 1,200 feet.

The trail meandered between rocky terrain, forest and open landscape. There were quite a few lovely views along the way.

The trip out was predominately uphill, so we took our time as we acclimated to the higher elevation. 

Then we were back in Desolation Wilderness. We followed protocol and filled out the pass with our information for the box and attached the tag to my pack in case we became lost or dead or both.

Then we reached the turning point for new views, leaving the Twin Lakes trail and heading for Grouse Lake.

We saw lots of scenic views and lots of scattered rocks and fallen trees.

As we approached the first lake, we saw this sign indicating where you can camp - a permit is needed, by the way, since it's Forest Service land.

And then, voila! We were at the first lake: Grouse Lake. It was nice and quiet, we saw one guy in the distance arranging his pack. We ate our sandwiches and then moved on toward Hemlock Lake. 

More rock to ascend and a squirrel.

There were lots of snags as we continued to move upward.

And then we came upon Hemlock Lake - but my picture didn’t come out, so here’s some rocks.

Just before we reached the last one, Smith Lake, we met a friendly couple returning from our final destination. That said it was la beautiful lake. That climb was the steepest, but we were rewarded with a view of the lake. Smith Lake was dammed and looked like rocky landscape meeting water.

At that point, we turned on our heels and followed our steps back to the point of origin.

I noticed some interesting rocks on the way back that had escaped my view coming in.

Under the bridge near Wrights Lake, we saw a duck.

Back in the parking lot, a bit tired from the hike.

Just before we left, I saw a golden mantle who posed for me while I took a few photos. Another nice day in the mountains!