Eureka Peak : Unexpected !

23rd August 2009

After the Sierra Buttes hike I camped at Plumas-Eureka State Park with a meetup group. This group campground, called Camp Lisa, is wonderful. Hot water showers only for the group campground ! Nice hike, hot water shower, hot dinner and campmates with a lot of juicey stories felt very good :)

(Eureka Peak from trailhead at Eureka Lake)

Next day, I went for Eureka Peak hike with the group. It was quite fast paced and was uphill. Since all in the group was in kind of competition and so all in the group were almost running. Anyway, so we finished the hike soon :) The hike from the Lake is only 3 miles loop. But, the road to the lake from the paved parking is around 1.3 miles. Me and my carpool did not want to drive on dirt road and so the hike became around 6 miles. Longer the hike is better for me.

(Sierra Buttes as seen from 'false' Eureka Peak)

There were two unexpected things which happened on this hike. First, the hike as wasn't easy as eating a banana (as we thought). Second, the camping organizer Sekhar, whom we used to think is A Lazy Old Man, was almost flying uphill like Batman and the three Amazon Women (my carpool) were having trouble keeping up with him. Why not ? they had walked 1.5 miles more than rest of the people. So, he commented "Retired Amazon Women". Crazy !

(Eureka Lake from Eureka Peak)

Anyway, back to the hike ... On the loop trail, it is relentless uphill climb either way. There are two peaks here on the this trail. We need to scramble on lose-sharp rocks to be on top of both. While climbing down these peaks I was praying that I wouldn't slide and fall on those razor sharp rocks. The way back was easy and fast.

Great short hike :)

Sierra Buttes : A long time wish !

22nd August 2009

Two years ago I had read the article on Sierra Buttes when I was checking for interesting hikes around Lakes Basin Recreation Area. I climbed up Mt Elwell then but I couldn't go for Sierra Buttes hike. Disappointed, I saw them from far standing high to dominate the whole landscape around. And now I did it ! One more PEAK out of the list :)


When I saw meetup group has organized a camping meetup at Plumas-Eureka State Park I thought I could go for this hike. After few email exchanges, managed to get interested party to hike with and a carpool. Plan was to drive Saturday early morning from Bay Area, drive 5 hrs to the trailhead, hike and then reach the campground which is an hour drive from the Sierra Buttes trailhead. And so we 4 women (Dominique, Carina, Laura and me) started ! Thanks to Laura for driving safe both ways in her Honda Element.

We parked at the trailhead took some rest for few minutes. It was breezy in the hot afternoon. We started on Pacific Crest Trail. The trail is pretty easy. It goes steady uphill and flattens a bit before the final ascent. But, somehow we missed the way and hiked down towards (but not to) Tamarack Lakes and then climbed the steep uphill trail to reach the proper Sierra Buttes trail. That made our hike a bit strenuous :)


At a view point we have this view of Young America Lake and Tamarack Lakes. So very beautiful. After few pictures here we proceeded to reach the 4WD road to reach the base of the lookout.

At each switchback of this road there is a view point, the crags make best subjects for pictures.


The only wildflower at this time of year !


Base of the lookout and start of the steel ladders ! Nice experience to climb the partially hanging ladders while the wind is blowing !


The Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes from the lookout.


Happy, contended faces on the way down ... Laura, Carine and Dominique.

Sundial Bridge : Beauty of its own

26th July 2009

Mid-summer, NorCal, Redding ... the thought comes to my mind is HEAT ! But, there are many other things to think of :) Like Sundial Bridge at the convention center.


It was hot afternoon, the temperature reading was 100+ F that day. I went down straight down to the river. The shade and the cool of the river was soothing and I took this picture ! Should go there again when the light is perfect !

Burney Falls : Queen of Waterfalls

26th July 2009

Magnificent and one of my very favorite phoenomenon of nature which is uncomparable ... Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney State Park. I had been there earlier but, it is a place where I want to go back to. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in California. It is very easily accessible and so as the hours pass by you will find crowds of crowds.


The underground springs fill the Lake Britton and then flow down to create this majestic falls. The waterfalls flows at the same rate year around even in hot summer. The force at which the water falls creates so much of mist and gives the waterfalls a dreamy look. Mystical ...