trails

Three Lakes in One day

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I wish I had more time to explore and enjoy the beauties of the mountains. It always seems like I don’t have enough time.  I recently discovered that in one day I can drive to the Sierras, hike and explore three different lakes and make it home around dinner time.

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I have the privilege of being in charge of approximately 100 girls and 40 adults at our church girls camp.  Each summer the girls go to Rucker Lake and spend the week backpacking, swimming, singing and spiritually growing.  The girls are grouped according to their age and then put into levels. This year I decided it was time to find a new hike for our 1st year girls.  The level leader and I chose a Saturday and headed up to the camp.  We left around 7am and drove to Rucker Lake.  It already rained that morning and was still pretty cloudy when we arrived.  It was very wet.  I had studied lots of maps of the area.  Most of the established hiking trails are already used by the other levels and I wanted something different.  I came up with a tentative plan.  I plotted a few way-points on my GPS.  The plan included hiking to Fuller Lake and then on to Spaulding Lake.  This area has a lot of private properties around the Lakes.  We needed to find a way to get from Rucker Lake to Fuller Lake without infringing on someones property.  There are plenty of signs letting you know when you are trespassing.  The original plan was changed right away after talking to man we met at the Lake.  We head in the opposite direction around the lake.  We had a map, a GPS and our phones with google maps.  What could go wrong? Right?

DSCF0050   We wanted to follow as close to the shoreline as we could but it was too wet.  Without a trail we were climbing over fallen trees, streams, and other obstacles.  We eventually made it to Fuller Lake.  It was not that long of a hike and we found a nice trail around it.  We also found a trail that started taking us in the right direction of Spaulding Lake.  This trail quickly vanished and we were once again searching for another trail.  While exploring and searching for a trail we came across this stunning view and small pond. DSCF0055   The GPS finally lead us to the trail that  we knew would take us to Spaulding Lake.  This was an easy, beautiful trail.  DSCF0053  Once arriving at Spaulding Lake we thought it would be a perfect spot for lunch.  cinderella ride, spaulding lake ect 021   It would have been but as soon as we sat down and had our food out, the rain began.  We decided to head back to the trail and find cover in the trees.  It didn’t rain too hard and fortunately we were prepared.  We tried to find a different path back to Fuller Lake but ended up turning around and trying to go back the way we came. DSCF0059   We made it back to Fuller Lake but somehow at this point we got completely turned around and ended up on the opposite side of Rucker Lake.  I have to admit that we did have to cross through a private property at one point but only for a brief time. I am so glad I had the GPS.  I’m still struggling to learn how to use it but it was still very helpful.  We were wet and tired but it was a great adventure. We didn’t find the perfect new hike but it is a beginning.  I hope to get back up there soon to try again and this time I hope it will be dry.

Group Hike with Family and Friends

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Today I invited a group of friends to join me on a hike to the waterfalls on Mount Diablo.  It was a perfect day to do it.  It rained hard last week but has since been sunny leaving the trail dry but lots of water for the falls.  We started the hike at the end of Regency Dr. in Clayton.  You want to follow the trail through the gates to Mount Diablo park.  You will see a large map posted.  The trail will immediately split with one going up and to the right but make sure you stay on the trail that is flat and straight ahead.  This trail is called thewaterfall hike 001 Cardinet Oaks Road.  Continue to follow this trail.  You will see a lot of other trails break off of this main road but stay on this road.waterfall hike 003 The first part of this trail is very easy but it does have a steep hill after about a mile.  Once you have climbed a bit the trail will level off and you will reach an intersection. You want to take Boundary Park to the left. Here are some pictures from this point.waterfall hike 004  waterfall hike 005  This trail is going to take you to a creek crossing.  After crossing the creek you will begin to climb.  The next trail you need to take is the Middle Trail.   Here are some pictures of the spot where the turn off is.  It can be hard to find.waterfall hike 008  waterfall hike 006 waterfall hike 007 waterfall hike 009

After coming around this curve you will find the trail post on the right.  Up to this point you have been on a wide trail but this Middle trail is much smaller. It is less groomed and you need to watch your footing.  You will come to a point where the trail splits. Follow the post that says “trail” and points up.  You can follow the other trail down where you will have a great view of one of the falls but you need to go back to the trail to continue on. waterfall hike 010 You can barely see the falls at the bottom of this pictures.

Continue on until you reach the waterfall and creek crossing.waterfall hike 013 waterfall hike 014  Keep going.  You will hit some more small falls just a few yards away.  waterfall hike 015 Sorry for the finger in the photo.  You are now on what I consider to be the most beautiful part of the hike.  The trail will take you to a great look out point.  Be sure to stop and take some pictures. waterfall hike 017 waterfall hike 018 waterfall hike 019 waterfall hike 020  After the look out point there  is a steep downhill slide that ends at another creek crossing.waterfall hike 021   Enjoy this trail on the way down.  You will be following the creek so there are lots of small falls to see and hear.  The trail will end and you want to go right on Donner Canyon Road. waterfall hike 022 You will then take a left back on Cardinet Oaks Road.  The same one you came in on.

We had people of all ages on this hike.  The youngest one was 7. (not including the baby in the carrier)  They all made it with no problem.  The hike was about 6 miles and took approx. 3hrs.  The best time to do this trail is after there has been rain.  The draw back is you don’t want to go when it is still really muddy.  It was such a fun day! Let me know if you’ve done this hike before and what your thoughts are.