detour: cooler mountains

Fleeing the week of 105+ degree weather, the mountains offered little respite. But 90 degrees at 6500 feet still sounded better, and camping, swimming, kayaking and hiking sounded like a great plan.

how much can you cram in/on a Subaru? A lot.

First things first: launch the kayak for the first time this season. The rivers have been running too fast and cold for casual kayaking, but now it's just right. There is something about water and granite and blue skies (and no cell service) to make you stop worrying about all those projects you left on your desk...

just breathe

old, cut tree with logging marks

tiny tree among granite

I didn't take any photos of our lovely camping spot, next to the creek, with a short walk to the lake. But I took full advantage of putting my feet in the creek, and a comfy chair, with a 800+ page new book, (the last in one of my favorite trilogies): now that's a great weekend.

a lovely start

meadow of mule's ear, not blooming quite yet!

But I guess I should put down the book for awhile (and it was way too heavy to put in my backpack) and hit the trails. For a short hike, no monsters this weekend. Except in the lake! I had really wanted to swim after our couple-mile excursion to the lake, but it was filled with catfish, swimming along the surface, intensely interested in whatever. I don't like fish that I can see. I got my feet wet and that was all.

perfect Salmon lake

too many catfish

But we continued, there were many lakes along the trail, and eventually there was a great one to take a lunch break, read my secondary (much more lighter-weight) book, and breathe the cool air.

granite trail

Sierra phlox

The trails are mostly granite, interspersed with giant boulders to climb around and over, and this year, still snow! The lakes were all full, there were fallen trees and a lot of debris on trail, but hidden flowers were everywhere.

pretty in pink, mountain heather

removing some jammed-up debris (and singing Toad's "Dam Would Break" for awhile after this...)

Sierra fawn lily

it wasn't that hot out, but I couldn't resist laying the snow/ice.

Back in the campsite, I hefted my book, ate marshmellows and looked up at the trees. And then back at my book, because honestly, what's going to happen next?

along our camp creek

lake to lake

I took Major for a short drag/ride. First he is a slug, then a crazy maniac. Seriously, he keeps me on my toes! Heading out I dragged him down the road, strung out behind me. Found a good rock and mounted up, he walked out but not too enthusiastically. Then I start worrying that he is ok. I should know better.

This was just a short tack test ride (I'd washed and rearranged stuff). I just wanted to check all the equipment before leaving to the Tahoe Rim ride. Through the forest Major was a slug, so I went down to the lake. The whole lake trail is already exposed, the lake very low, drought concerns creeping in.

Tiny boat between Major's ears? Nope, a floating potty! We're classy like that.

At the lake, in the nice sand (and rocks), finally a nice trot. Not too fast, loose rein. A few lovely collected canters too. About the half way point things speeded up a bit. Then more. Soon I had a start-of-an-endurance-ride fire breathing dragon. So I took the rock trail, to make him think. It worked a bit, till we turned for home into the forest.

low lake, exposed rocks, amazing clouds, great horse, amazing view

I did ask only for trot, and I got it. The big huge one. We ran by a jogger on the wide part of the trail. Then a good sized deer skeleton. Finally slowed and saw some other friends from a nearby ranch. They joked that Major saw other horses and would want to join them. Oh no way, we were going home!

Back home I untacked and put my tack in my trailer, one last thing to pack later. Then Tahoe this weekend, from one lake to another! I am totally looking forward to the Tahoe Rim Ride, lucky that I got in, hoping Major and I are up for the challenge.

But there is a lot to pack before that!

Loney Meadow Camping

Finally, camping at Loney Meadows! My friend C and I have been trying to do this for four years! Year one: she got sick. Year two: A crazy snow year and everything still buried. Year three: Major got a splint the two weeks before and needed rest. this year was it!

We were still concerned something would happen. But instead we had a great trip, mostly uneventful, with gorgeous views, difficult trails, with wonderful horses. (Honestly words cannot explain much, so this and the next post are mostly gorgeous photos).

the boys settled in, enough hay for an army

It did take a little time to set up camp, rig up the highline (remember that bringing a ladder is a much better idea than balancing an upside-down bucket on a plastic tote container) but we did a quick ride the first day.

road with a creek, horses loved the clear water

Culbertson lake

I had hiked the second-day loop when camping last year, and this time did it was great to see it from horseback. Of course the first 1.5 miles are dirt road. That the horses death-marched up. It was super rocky, with pointy edges sticking out from rocky gravel. Both horses are smart enough to know not to be going too fast, and also that this is not fun. Eventually we got to the trail though. And the views were worth it.

Feely Lake

Added bonus of good grassy water plant in the lake!

Island Lake

rocky trail below

a bit of a slope and Major being a dork

quizzical ears: we have to go up this?!

just a bit rocky

Crooked Lakes trail junction

Penner Lake lunch break, 6800 feet

On top of the world, leaving Penner lake

The trail was just a bit rocky

But the meadow was gorgeous (we just missed the main bloom though!)

Loney Meadow

photo bomb by Friday

Once back from our ride we put the horses away, clean ourselves up a bit (I'd dunk in the tiny creek). I'd read a book, relax, watch the horses, take them for a little walk, repeat. Needed relaxation.

Then plan for our ride the next day!