To Main Page

To Europe

Across the Pacific

To Travel Page

We spent another week at the Lair of the Bear, our summer camp in the Sierra Nevadas. One day a group of us drove towards the Senora Pass and took a hike up Blue Canyon. The cars were parked along the road right at the 9000 foot elevation mark, and after applying some suntan lotion, we started our strenuous hike up the mountain side. The destination was a small lake that was well beyond the dark peak in the picture below and just below the ridge in the distance.

 


After crossing the creek, the trail climbed up a steep bank and then opened to a field of lupine and other wild flowers. Soon we were amongst rugged boulders as the path wound its way up the canyon.

 

 


There were twelve of us, including our two daughters. The youngest in our group was eighteen and I think I was the oldest at seventy. Of course, the youngsters were always in the lead.

   

 

 

As we gained altitude we encountered patches of snow. It had been a very dry year and in June this area would normally be covered with a lot more snow. I remember being here in August and unable to distinguish the trail because of the snow pack.

 


 



We had arrived at Blue Lake and stopped for lunch. I have no idea how far we had walked but the elevation now was a bit over 10,000 feet; enough to bring on an appetite and thirst. The lake water was cold, very cold; notice the snow melting on the other side.



Cold water did not deter this brave girl from taking the plunge. However, her time in the water could be counted in seconds.

 

After lunch some of the group continued to climb up the steep walls trying to get across where there was supposed to be another lake. Others stayed at the lake while I and another fellow climbed a short way up a different route.

 



 

However, the loose rocks and increasing steepness made it too dangerous to continue. So after enjoying the view, we all returned to the lake to join the others for our hike back to the car.

 

Almost covered with snow, we found this tiny pond with a large trout. How the fish could have survived in such a small spot was a mystery. But we left it there and continued on our way down.

 


 


 


Most likely the name "Blue Canyon" came from this rock formation with its bluish gray color. As we reached lower vegetation we noticed again lots of wild flowers.


 

 


It had been a great hike and it was extra fun to do this with my two daughters. It had been more than twenty years since we had taken a hike together.


To top of the page