Nevada Rambler

From GrouseLake20080927

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Another great overnight backpacking trip with M., to Grouse Lake in the Mokelumne Wilderness Area, Eldorado National Forest, near Carson Pass (Hwy 88) in California. On the return, took a detour up to the summit of Deadwood Peak, with great views of Roundtop Peak, Fourth of July Lake, and all around.

Trailhead: Park at the boat ramp at the spillway of Upper Blue Lake or on the road nearby. Take the metal pedestrian bridge across the spillway, then turn immediately left to the trailhead (do not go straight ahead across the dam itself).

GPX Track File

Statistics:
14.80 mi (6.23 mi uphill, 6.39 mi downhill, 2.05 mi flat)
6423 ft total ascent (5980 ft descent) – 16.7 % uphill grade, 129.0 % downhill grade
1 day 1:55:34 total time (7:57:24 moving, 17:58:10 stopped)
0:32:14 pace (1.9 mph average speed, 15.4 mph max speed)
35.013 difficulty, 60.568 effort

GeoLocator for latitude 38.6292686 longitude -119.9393463

After being completely smoked out (or rather, smoked in) last weekend, we did a short overnight backpacking trip in the Grouse Ridge Recreational Area. There are many small lakes and lots of granite in this beautiful roadless area. Started near Summit City near Meadow Lake and hiked along the Beyers Lake Trail to Beyers Lake. On the return, took a strenuous scenic detour via granite cliffs to Phoenix Lake.

Photo Album

Statistics:

13.11 mi (5.40 mi uphill, 5.68 mi downhill, 1.90 mi flat)
???? ft total ascent – 14.8 % uphill grade, 147.2 % downhill grade
2 days 10:50:20 total time (8:35:57 moving, 2 days 2:14:23 stopped)
0:39:19 pace (1.5 mph average speed, 6.3 mph max speed)
26.346 difficulty, 44.230 effort

Trailhead tip: We drove a few hundred yards farther up a rough 4WD road, which is actually the beginning of the Beyers Lake Trail, than would have been necessary. Park at the coordinates below.

GeoLocator for latitude 39.4082298 longitude -120.5061493