Читать книгу Sierra South. Backcountry Trips in California's Sierra Nevada онлайн

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After ascending at a gentle but continuous grade for a mile, the trail passes out of the last of the live oak trees, and you will encounter damp ground conditions in early season. Skirt these patches, beyond which Twin Falls appears ahead to the north. The twin cascades flow over silver-flecked granite slabs, and the waters collect in an inviting pool at the base.

While the water may be chilly in the swimming hole, the small, sandy beach and sun-warmed rocks make idyllic spots to rest and dry off. A well-used campsite is located several hundred feet farther along the trail, near a grove of aspens (8000´; 11S 328338 4136603). There are less obvious campsites located across the creek below the falls.

DAY 2 (Twin Falls to Lake Italy, 11.5 miles): The path leading away from Twin Falls begins with a steep climb northeast for the first 2 miles, and then rapidly levels off to a gentler grade. The route travels sections of steep, stony trail interspersed with stands of aspen. Rocky outcrops and steep ravines testify to the glacial forces that hewed the valley through the granite, leaving the boulders and other debris in the bottom of the canyon. The trail climbs up the north side of the canyon wall here to skirt this difficult landscape.