VERDUGO HILLS/ BEAUDRY HIKE

In the Glendale area meeting a friend for dinner and we wanted to find a nearby hike.  Found this one and took a lovely November hike in the late afternoon.  Since we started late and had not done the hike before, we decided to walk in until 4pm and return the same way.

Fire road facing east

Started up the east side just to get the views from there and then proceeded back the other way towards the west hoping to make the sunset view.


Warm day with lovely views.  Went in about 2.5 miles and turned around at 4:15 missing the sunset from the west.  Just a reason to return on a fall, winter or early spring day again to make the whole loop.

The light on the hills from the waning fall day and cooling air on the way back made for a great mid week treat.  The hike is about 6.5 miles round trip and parking is on a safe street.

Look forward to a return trip when in the area.

Above it all looking east toward San Gabriels

VASQUEZ ROCKS ~ LATE OCTOBER

Took a short walk to catch afternoon light and feel the clean, fresh October air.

Afternoon Light on rock formations

  The visitor's center has been completed, but it was too late to enter as they close at 4pm.  There have been some upgrades to the park since I last explored with markers and more information for the casual walker. 

Beautiful large pepper tree shades picnic area & welcome rest stop for PCT hikers

April and May are good times to catch Pacific Crest Trail Hikers who find this rest stop a welcome oasis and are generous about their experiences on the trail.
PCT goes from Mexico to Canada and most adventurers start in early spring.   






Vasquez Rocks, always a treat.

    

BURKHART TRAIL~ DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL AREA

A perfect fall day about 73 degrees with light breezes made for a great getaway hike.
The day was windy earlier and cleared out the views of the Antelope Valley nicely.
Quiet and less traveled ( we saw nobody ) than the more popular Devil's chair.

Not enough time to do the more than about 3mi in and then back, the trail is will maintained now as opposed to a washout here a few years back.  

A part of the Pacific Crest Trail with great views and well shaded this time of year, there is a moderate ascent from the parking lot to the trail head, but the trail itself is along the ridge line heading West with views North (6 mi rt).

The geology of this area is ever interesting and a feast for the eyes of those who would enjoy its visuals and natural history. 
                                                         

GREEN LAKE & VIRGINIA LAKES NEAR BRIDGEPORT AND MONO LAKE

Morning Sun captures Range of Light Sierra Nevada Range

Leaving Bridgeport, we get a nice view of the Range of Light.





We find the dirt road that leads to the trail head for Green Lake and then on to East Lake.
Its cloudy and we expect some rain.  The rain begins lightly and we hike to Green Lake expecting it might clear, but the rain gets heavier, so we decide on Green Lake only as there is some thunder.


The hike is lovely and pretty easy with pine covered

View from dirt road leading to trail head.

 trails.  We spend some time at Green Lake and wonder what it would be like on a typical Sierra crystal clear sunny day.  The rain is healing and pleasant though as we drove up from the baking desert.

dirt road to trail head

Green Lake trail

 

Green Lake

 VIRGINIA LAKES    

The hike starts out meandering through woods and lake and stream jumping; varied and interesting.  Then climbing along the dry mountains trail with great views of the lakes and on top finally a view of Yosemite and John Muir Wilderness.  Switchbacks on the dry trail make it fairly easy.  Its about 10 mi RT, but because of the variations seems shorter.   

Trail View Virginia Lakes

                                                                              

High elevation above tree line views

                                                                                             

Mountain Ingenuity

View of Mono Lake & 395 from Conway Summit

COTTONWOOD PASS/SIERRA NEVADA RANGE

Starting out the hike meanders through Horseshoe Meadow.  Slow ascent with stream crossings the trail heads up through Red Fir and Jeffrey Pine.  Stunning views and an array of rock formations and resting rocks define the trail early on as we climb.  Its a perfect day with slight high thin clouds and temps in the 80's.

This is a well traveled hike this August day and we pass many hikers staying the night and those on longer backpacking trips.  One we met was in there for 30 days.  Must be quite and experience.  With so many traveling through, companionship is there if you need it.  We make it to the pass with blisters, corrected by stuffing grass in my shoe.  A nice respite at Chicken Spring Lake and we head back as the day is cooling.  8.5 mile round trip with a 1200 ft. gain and we are ready for a cool treat back at Lone Pine before the drive home.

HIKING TAHOE AREA

Echo Lake View from trail

ECHO LAKE

After driving all day previous and many stops, we are up late for our first visit; Echo Lake. It is a Saturday in early August and the parking lots and roads are full of cars.  We take the 2.5 mile hike along the path with mostly lake overlooks.  Crowded, but many hikers take the water taxi back, so we have a quiet and cool return as the day is late.

Wall at Echo Lake

Trail with Lake Views

DRIVE AROUND LAKE TAHOE & BARKER PASS HIKE

Sunday is an easy day with sight seeing around Lake Tahoe, stopping to enjoy the rocky shore and cool breezes off the lake.

on the dock at local park 

While tripping around the rocks, small camera dropped out of my pocket and we lost some pictures.

Barker Pass Trail

Wanted a quiet short hike after doing the tourist thing.  Drove up to Barker Pass trail head which crosses into the PCT.  Hiked a few miles in and got our wish of solitude.  Took some pictures  of lake view and trail and returned around 6pm.  A good stretch and thought about salad for dinner out doors. Applebee's is where we ended up and some Casino time (10 minutes seemed enough), then an evening starry walk near the Lake.

Barker Pass Trail Lake View     

ALOHA LAKE

Trail flattens to Lake Aloha

 Monday took the water taxi from where we left off Saturday on Echo Lake to the 10 mi round trip hike to Lake Aloha.  Rocky climb with gorgeous views.  Trail flattens out about half way and leads to high Sierra playground of Aloha Lake.  Stayed there for a rest and snack for about an hour before the hike back.

"Rock" Beach @ Lake Aloha

View of Echo Lake from rocky trail

RUBICON TRAIL  Took the easy but refreshing trail around the Lake near Emerald Bay.  Stopped for a snack on a view rock and the Stellers Jays found us quickly.  We put out almonds and they efficiently grabbed their booty.  Found a perfect beach spot great for a refreshing swim.  As we climbed back up the hill, a western Tanager surprised us with its yellow and orange color.   On the drive home we treated ourselves to a double dip home made ice cream near Richardson Camp.

View of Emerald Bay Rubicon Trail

Stellar's Jay visits for some almonds

Our private little beach~Water is so clear can see bottom in parts @67 ft depth

A Refreshing swim

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Aaahh!