This weekend's activities included 3 kid soccer games (Both finally won for the first time all season! Both in their last game.) on Saturday, requiring shuttling between Reno and Gardnerville. I decided that Sunday would be a day for me to get out to the high country before the weather shuts it all down.
The weather on Sunday was perfect and the leaf show in Hope Valley - well if it wasn't prime it was penultimate! Though I have linked the photos below to their larger cousins on slang4201.com, the real good ones are here.
The weather on Sunday was perfect and the leaf show in Hope Valley - well if it wasn't prime it was penultimate! Though I have linked the photos below to their larger cousins on slang4201.com, the real good ones are here.
Once the drive to Blue Lake was done, it was time to head out on foot. There was only a single car at the trailhead when I arrived, and I took that to be a good sign. The route didn't go quite as planned; I abbeyed right at the start. :-\ I knew where the trail was supposed to go, so I headed in that general direction and eventually found it again. My little sojourn probably added a mile or so to my total distance, but that's ok. I wasn't out for anything but a good Sunday in the Sierra. The elevation profile is brutal:
On the trip I did have my usual companions of Bad Form and Constant Pain. Notably absent was Fear of Failure. I think I know how to banish him - don't set a goal. No goal = no possibility of failure. Sweet!
Obviously someone else came along for at least part of the journey: No Inhibition. Joy showed briefly as well - the day was just too perfect to not experience joy at some point! Critical Nature also was a DNS. I think he was too worn out at the end to show up. I know I was flagging hard at the end.
Obviously someone else came along for at least part of the journey: No Inhibition. Joy showed briefly as well - the day was just too perfect to not experience joy at some point! Critical Nature also was a DNS. I think he was too worn out at the end to show up. I know I was flagging hard at the end.
"Groovy" trail, eh?
Yes, this is the trail heading east of Grouse Lake. It passes between the split rock. Easy to follow...
The trail was sparse in places, and I missed it completely on the descent into Grouse Lake. Instead, I simply dropped straight through the trees, missing the lake by about 1/4 mile. But once I got there, the serenity was palpable. No breeze, and even no birds singing. It was utterly silent. I did a loop around the lake snapping a few photos and generally enjoying the perfect day.
The climb back out was pretty rugged: steep and the trail wasn't clearly defined. I guess that's what you get when in a wilderness area. On the way back, I finally encountered another hiker on the trail. After nearly 10 miles of solitude, I finally met someone. Good thing I had put my clothes on again. I did a fair amount of running mixed in with the hiking. What to call that? riking? hrunning? Beats me. I know that when I'm out there solo, I don't really care how I'm moving along, when I'm going to get somewhere or really even where I am going. I'm trying to simply enjoy the experience of being. And being outside.
Of course, I figure all this out at the end of October, when the weather is about to turn. :-\
Next week: Dardanelles Lake. (weather permitting)
Of course, I figure all this out at the end of October, when the weather is about to turn. :-\
Next week: Dardanelles Lake. (weather permitting)
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