August 14, 2013 - Hobler Lake

Title: August 13, 2013 - Hobler Lake

Trail head:  Maxson Trail Head

Hike Info:

Trail: Maxson Trail Head to Hobler Lake

Destination: Hobler Lake

Distance:  9.16 miles  (1.21 miles*) 

Travel Time: 5:55 (1.55 mph)     (0:48*)

Moving Time: 4:15 (2.16 mph)  (0:31*)

Elevation Rise:    1,384'   (152'*)

Maximum Elevation: 9,089'
*A group of people overshot Hobler Lake. The indicated information is the overshot amount

Description:
It has been awhile since Sherri and I have been on a hike with our meetup group, particularly with the mid-week folks. So it was good to be hiking with John, Jerry, Lee F, JerryJ, Nat,  and the female Lee-we missed having Cathey along. Also with other folks such as Rosie and Megan. Hiking can be a pretty socialable event, if done right. This was one of those time.

After gathering in Clovis we headed on up to Courtright Reservoir in Sierra National Forest.  But before arriving at the Maxson trail head, we made a brief stop to examine a unique geological exhibit, explaining the different type of rock and soils in the area. This brought interest to our trip as we were surrounded by domes.

John and Gary

The first leg of the hike was along the Dusy four-wheel drive road. But after about a mile, we branched off onto a hiking path. It was pleasant and gentle. While the affects of the drought was noticeable, the area  was forested so the total effect of going up the valley was refreshing. We came upon a group of backpackers who are going to go over Hell-For-Sure Pass, then up Evolution Valley and Basin before Muir Pass and out over Bishop Pass. One of the people, from Hawaii, had done the JMT last year and wants to do it again.

Elephant Head

At the next trail junction, at Chamberlain Camp area, we started the major ascent. John says about two hundred and fifty feet. But the map shows more like four or five hundred. Still, not as bad as a high Sierra pass. The trail is not as well graded, with some steps being up to three feet up. Not bad for me, but some people are not above six feet tall either. But once we got to the next fork--plenty of jokes about which way to go, the trail eases it grade and we go along pretty well. John shows Lee and I his elephant head burl-very curiously shaped. I think it has a tusk, but John says it is feeding himself. But everybody else misses this scenic wonder.

Hikers

Hobler Lake

After about three-quarters of a mile more, we come up to the lake, Hobler Lake. A nice lake, with plenty of grass on its northern and eastern end. But pretty pleasant. But wait! As we look around, no Sherri, no Megan. Where have they gone? Others think they may have seen them and shouted after them, but that group just continued on. So I took out after them. After a little more than half of a mile, I caught up to the four people who overshot the lake, and we went back to relax with lunch and a view of the lake.

Chamberlian Cabin

The trip back took us about as long as coming up. At the base of the steep ascent, at Chamberlain Camp, we went west, instead of returning back via the same trail. In about a hundred and fifty feet, we came across the Chamberlian's cabin. Built in 1945, it is padlocked closed. But recently, last May, an outhouse was put up by Backcountry Horsemen of California. We made use of the facilities and continued on.

Rocky Road with Gary, John and Lee F

This trail had many places where  we skirted around fallen trees. At the Voyager Rock campground, we hit the Dusy Road again. We follow it as it heads south, inland of Courthright Reservois. We do not get to see much of the reservoir, but do get to enjoy some brief views of Maxson Dome and the valley we walked up this morning. We also cross a long stretch of granite slab where the road goes, marked only by stone and a few blue highway bumps. A couple of four-wheel drive jeeps pass up-friendly folk--and we reach the cars around 2:30. Content.

But not completely content. We go down to Shaver Lake and try to eat at the Trading Post. But they do not start serving until 5. So across the street to Shaver Lake Pizza we go and order up. Now we are content as we wolf down the pizza and drinks of choice.