Thanks to Bruce and Karen, we had yet another excellent hike recommendation. This time we started out at Caples Dam Trailhead and headed along Caples Lake to Emigrant Lake. And, if possible, even more lovely than the hikes yesterday.
The trail was used by emigrants passing through the Carson Pass and heading down into the California valleys.
This trail was largely covered by forest ... It started a bit lower in elevation than yesterday's hike, so we were hiking below the tree line through healthy, lush pine, fir, spruce and cedar trees ... Initially along side a large lake (Caples), then in the last two miles climbing uphill around 800' in elevation to Emigrant Lake cradled on three sides by granite slopes.
The trip back seemed a bit endless ... Even going downhill and walking alongside the lake ... It seemed rather long ... May be hitting our upper limit of daily mileage and elevation gain at high altitude ...
We did indulge with a stop at the Kirkwood Inn, established in 1864 by the Kirkwood family as an inn for people crossing through the Carson Pass. It is still in operation as a restaurant and bar ... Serves a wonderful hamburger and the beer was ice cold. A wonderful way to end another magnificent day in the Sierras (and I was too busy eating my burger and fries and drinking beer to take any interesting pictures of the historic Kirkwood Inn ;-)
1 comment:
I really miss the photos on this entry. Our Tahoe neighbor back in 1969 owned the lodge and resort at Caples Lake and I wonder if I would recognize the place today.
I assume by the lack of comment that this region of the Sierras is still relatively unpopulated even in the summer, at least in comparison to the NP's.
Post a Comment