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

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Soon after the trail levels, reach the Italy Pass Trail junction (11S 333831 4134908). Here, this trip turns left (east), leaving PCT/JMT and heads east up open granite slabs. The trail may be faint here, but it becomes quite definite under the trees. Pass a drift fence and a welcome sign announcing that Hilgard Meadow is closed to grazing. From here, the trail threads gently under lodgepole pine for an easy mile to reach the grassy expanses of Hilgard Meadow (9600´). Mt. Hilgard looms almost 4000 feet above, and the meadow underfoot supports thousands of purple Indian paintbrush plants in mid-season. Excellent campsites border the northwest side of this subalpine meadow.

Skirting the north side of Hilgard Meadow, the trail stays near Hilgard Branch as it climbs moderately over slabs and crosses the outlet of Hilgard Lake before passing another drift fence. The path then rapidly crosses several small creeks before leaving tree cover behind. Here, the route may become faint as it climbs away from Hilgard Branch and crosses an open, rocky slope. The path then passes through a wet meadow and becomes indistinct. Descend slightly before meeting the edge of the forest, where the trail becomes more obvious and resumes climbing. The track passes a nice campsite near the main creek before crossing another spring-fed rill.