Friday July 15, 1994
We launched our second annual 30 MILER from Sunnnyvale at 2 PM arriving at the trail head, Bell Meadow, after stops at the Hershe Factory, a fruit stand, Pie in the Sky Pizza, and Pinecrest Lake. Car camping in a large meadow about 1/4 mile from the trail head proved to be a very comfortable site.
Saturday July 16, 1994
Bell Meadow to Grouse Lake, started with a few miles of easy walking on a soft pack trail, a gradual rise and decline to our first stream crossing. The water was low making the crossing comfortable. The ascent to Grouse Lake was the first taste of steep, loose rock on a horse trail with occasional steps. Grouse Lake is a picturesque lake bordered with water lilies, surrounded by aspen and pine trees.
Sunday July 17, 1994
The 5 mile 1000 foot climb to Gem lake via Ground Hog Meadow and Piute Lake was mostly uphill with large steps. It proved to be about the most difficult hike of the trip. Gem lake is a petty little lake surrounded by steep cliff like rocks, a small forest and flat granite rock slopes. We camped near the flat rock slope.
Monday July 18, 1994
Our first layover where some hiked three quarters of a mile to Jewelry lake, a long lake protected by cliffs on one side and a meadow on the other.
Tuesday July 19, 1994
With Yellowhammer Lake as our destination we hiked from Gem Lake passing the heavily wooded Wood Lake, serene little Red Can Lake, the beautiful and large Karls and Leighton Lakes, over the cross country rock, down to Yellowhammer Lake. The 9 AM to 5:30 PM hike over 5 miles was a long time with full packs (due mostly to the slow cross country hiking) and it sapped most the energy from the scouts and some of the adults.
Wednesday July 20, 1994
A second, appreciated, layover at the rock surrounded Yellowhammer Lake.
Thursday July 21, 1994
On the cross country trail past Big Lake to Rosasco Lake was a difficult hike across loose rock. Big Lake is "BIG" and deep. Rosasco Lake is wooded all around with outcropping of rock to provide good fishing spots.
Friday July 22, 1994
Our return to Grouse Lake included a steep downhill over loose rock to the West Fork of the Cherry Creek then over the saddle to Grouse Lake.
Saturday July 23, 1994
Retracing our steps to Bell Meadow was a pleasant conclusion to our trip. A BBQ lunch awaited us after showers at Pinecrest Lake, then back to Sunnyvale by 6 PM.