|
After breakfast we made the drive to the trailhead. From Auburn it's about
an hour and a half to the trailhead. Once we got to the Loon Lake Campground
entrance, I searched for signs to the wilderness parking area. It's less than
a mile from the entrance. When we got there, I noticed a sign saying that
wilderness parking cost $10. I wasn't sure if our backpacking permit provided
us with free parking, and in any case I only brought one copy, so I figured
it was best not to chance it. I'd pay the $10. The only problem is that I
would have to drive back to the entrance to pay, and there was only one spot left
in the lot (it was about 11:45am). So I dropped everyone else and our backpacks
off to occupy the spot while I went and paid.
After paying for parking, I returned and parked in our spot.
By the time we organized ourselves and put on our sunscreen and started our
hike, it was around 12:35pm. And it was warm, warmer than we're used to when
hiking in the Sierra.
We passed both day hikers and backpackers in both directions. The trail goes
in and out of forest, with Loon Lake barely visible through the trees to the left. As
the trail continues, however, there are some good views of the lake.
Loon Lake
Loon Lake
Loon Lake
At one point we saw a dog trot past us in the opposite direction. No one seemed to know
whose dog it was. About 20 minutes later we ran into some guy asking if we'd seen
a dog. We told him yes and he went running after it. Not sure how they got separated
for so long, but I'm guessing the dog probably went back to the parking lot and
hopefully was reunited with its owner.
Loon Lake
Loon Lake
We soon saw small boats in the lake below, and then came to an intersection. A trail
to the left leads to a boat dock, but we turned right and started a brief climb
up to a pass. We could see clouds and hear distant thunder to the east as we
descended from the pass toward Buck Island Lake.
Boats in Loon Lake
Last look at Loon Lake from the climb
Soon enough we could see Buck Island Lake ahead of us. We could also see some tents
on the western shore. And then we reached an intersection. A trail to the left leads to
an OHV road and the area where several people had already set up camp. While we were
at the intersection, light rain started to fall. We put on our pack covers
before continuing past the intersection, although the rain never got very bad and stopped
soon enough.
We searched the southern shore for a campsite. While we did so we noticed
about a dozen or so shell casings on the ground. Not sure who might have been
doing target practice here. Eventually we found a decent site somewhat near another
couple campers. We made sure they were ok with us camping relatively close, but
they didn't mind. In fact, our biggest collective problem would be all the OHV
campers across the lake. They were playing amplified music which could be heard
clear across the lake, and it played constantly. We could see their vehicles
parked on the rocks above the lake, and occasionally hear the roar of their engines.
Buck Island Lake
Clouds reflected in Buck Island Lake
Buck Island Lake
Mosquitoes were a bit of a problem, as well. They bothered us while we ate dinner.
After sunset we tried to go to sleep, but the music kept blaring across the
lake until about 11pm.
Buck Island Lake Sunset
Buck Island Lake Sunset
Campsite at Buck Island Lake
| 
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter
RSS Feed
