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

89 страница из 140

The path continues southeast and climbs gently up dirt and loose rock for about a mile until reaching the rocky ford of Fall Creek (wet in early season). Follow the trail 300 yards after the last ford of the creek to the point where a faint trail turns to the left (east) from the main trail; from here, the main trail goes far out of your way. So take the angler’s use trail. It’s indistinct near the bottom, but many ducks become apparent as it climbs higher. If you lose the trail, head cross-country generally east-northeast up the hill parallel with the creek, keeping Fall Creek about 200 yards away on your left side. The trail is steep and occasionally loose, so exercise caution while ascending. At the top, find expansive views all the way back down the valley.

Once it reaches the low-angle granite slabs at the top, the route levels off and once again enters dense lodgepole forest. Shortly thereafter, the route joins the main trail ascending from Big Maxson Meadow and begins a lazy traverse through 2 miles of beautiful foliage and dense ferns. In the spring, shooting star, penstemon, larkspur, monkshood, monkeyflower, columbine, wallflower, and paintbrush line the path. In late season, the ferns turn yellow, carpeting the forest floor with broad brushstrokes of color.