Silver Lake Loop
Thursday, August 15, 2013
DIFFICULTY: Moderate / Strenuous
ELEVATION GAIN: 900
feet. The inclines are broken up. There are two steep sections
that will be a bit taxing and work up a sweat. We’ll go
slow and steady.
HIKE DISTANCE:
approximately 8.5 miles. Balloon configuration. We hike one mile to the
Granite Lake trail junction, then do a 6.5 mile loop before returning
to the 1 mile trail back to the parking lot.
GENERAL LOCATION: Highway 88 at Silver Lake (just prior to the Kirkwood Ski Resort).
DESCRIPTION: This
hike showcases two scenic lakes – Granite and Hidden --- and skirts the
shoreline of a 3rd, the large and scenic Silver Lake, the picturesque
lake highly visible from Highway 88 on the way to Kirkwood.
The
initial trail passes a grove of aspen and the tread varies between
decomposed granite, bedrock, and loose rock as it continues south past
a shallow pond and a meadow and over a scenic footbridge spanning a
seasonal stream. As the trail climbs good views are provided of the
dark volcanic massif of Thunder Mountain to the northeast and deep blue
Silver Lake to the northwest.
Shortly
after the junction that begins the loop trail we encounter pretty
Granite Lake. Several flat bedrock slabs surrounding the lake and its
shallow water provide perfect swimming conditions, temperatures
permitting. After departing Granite Lake we enter a forest of pines on
a 2 mile trek to Hidden Lake. In route we cross a season stream. The
dark surrounding forest gives Hidden Lake a more gem-like quality, and
the overall setting is more intimate than the open expanse around
Granite Lake.
Departing
the lake we encounter a challenging elevation gain of 400 feet. Then we
begin a steady 2 mile decent to the Plasse Resort. On last year’s hike
this trail was chewed up by horses and dirt bikes. After reaching the
bottom and the Plasse Resort (where an ice cream break is a
possibility). we traverse the resort / campground and relocate the
trail as it skirts the south side of Silver Lake. A steady gradual
climb with about a 500 foot gain produces scenic views of Silver Lake
before we reach the trail junction that returns us to the parking lot.
LUNCH: Bring your lunch. The lunch break is planned for mid hike when we reach Hidden Lake. A snack break is planned at Granite Lake.
TRAVEL TIME / DISTANCE / PARKING:
About 2 1/2 hours - 95 miles each way ($15 donation to driver). A pit
stop is planned in route at Placerville. We pass Kit Carson Lodge
less than a mile from the trailhead which has been closed on previous
hikes we did in the Fall but should be open for this hike. A
final pit stop can be made there. There is plenty of free parking
at the end of the road at the trailhead. We plan to return home rather
late, making this an all day adventure.
DINNER: We
plan to have dinner on the way home, most likely in Cameron Park.
Options include Papa Gianni’s or the China City, both at the Cameron
Park exit off Rt 50.
SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES AVAILABLE: Kit Carson Lodge a mile from the trailhead.
PREPARATIONS FOR HIKE:
Hiking boots and poles recommended. And bring plenty of water.
Also a snack for Granite Lake and a lunch for Hidden Lake.
IF
YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH ISSUES, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR CONDITION BEFORE
PREPARATION FOR HIKING AND BRING ANY POTENTIAL UNIQUE SITUATIONS TO THE
ATTENTION OF THE HIKE LEADER.
BRING THE FOLLOWING: Bring a copy of your ID (driver's license), health card, and an emergency contact name and phone number with you on the hike.
ABOUT YOUR FOOTWEAR: Always
bring two pairs of shoes, along with a plastic bag to store your
muddy/dusty hiking boots after the hike. Do not get your driver's car
dirty by wearing your dirty boots on the drive home.
RISKS: One stream crossing that could create a challenge based on the water flow at hike time. .
HIKE LEADER / SWEEP: Dennis Ratay / Margaret Ratay
QUESTIONS: Call Dennis Ratay at 543-9935.
MEETING TIME: 7:15 am at Orchard Creek parking lot (near U.S. mailbox) -- We will leave at 7:30 am.
Driving
directions to Silver Lake and the Granite Lake trailhead
Photos from
prehike
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