Hike Info:
Type:
Hiking
Trail:
Central Camp Road
Destination:
Shuteye Peak
Actual
Destination: Not even close to Shuteye
Distance:
2.85
miles
Start
Time: 12:14
End
Time: 2:26
Travel
Time: 2:12 (1.29
mph)
Moving
Time: 1:34 (1.82
mph)
Elevation
Rise: 453'
Descent: 293‘
Maximum
Elevation: 6,518'
 |
| Road to our starting point |
Description:
Caution: this is being written
up three weeks after the day we had. So my mind may be creating a few
things.
I thought I got up early
enough. But then I saw that Korra and Steven had gone for a walk down
to Chilkoot
and Willow
Creeks.
Judging by Steven’s pictures, early morning is when you should go
down there. So quiet and still. Plus the gentle colors of morning
makes the whole beauty of it stand out.
 |
| Willow Creek |
I enjoy the quietness of the
morning in the chair Sherri got me for Christmas. A bit low, but
comfortable. Andrea and Lawrence emerge after a while. And Sherri
comes out as well. By this time Korra and Steven have returned.
This morning’s breakfast is
pancakes. We have several versions of mix, but mostly Krusteaz. We
managed to finish off the other mixes and left with only about half
of a box of the Krusteaz. I cook the pancakes and I can tell it has
been awhile since I made them as each person gets a unique version of
pancake. Some have black bottoms, others raw in the middle (actually
I think some are both), some are scrambled, but some are noumenon and
come out according to specs. But nobody is complaining. I think we
are just all happy to be together.
What are we going to do today?
Seems like we want something and that something is just not going to
be sitting around enjoying the air and each other and trying to avoid
the mosquitos. But what to do? After talking it over I have said
that I have wanted to go up to
Shuteye Lookout
since we hear him over Sierra’s radio. So that is our destination
for today.
We make our lunch-peanut
butter and something. Mine is Nutella, obviously. And then we are off
in two cars-the Oakland and the Fresno car. We continued on up
Beasore Road until we hit Central Camp Road. We take the dirt road
which at least starts off OK. As far as dirt roads go, not too bad. I
am in the lead because we have the higher clearance vehicle. I try to
pick my way around obstacles knowing the Subaru which is following me
will have a bit more issues with clearance.
 |
| Korra and Steven, with Sherri and Andrea in background |
We make a turn-still on
Central Camp Road, but it is a sharp turn otherwise the road goes on
to Gaggs Camp. About a mile later we came to a creek. I stop and look
at it. I think my Highlander would make it across OK. But everybody
else thinks this is the end of the line for the cars. So we backup
and find a place off the road to park. We get ourselves ready for our
hike. Not sure how far away from Shuteye we are, but I think it
probably is out of reach today.
We cross the creek without
incident. Korra does not seem to mind the water. The road gradually
slopes upward, but not bad. It is a bit hot and a bit dusty. We are
pretty much masked up anytime we get close to a person outside of our
circle. Still, it is pleasant enough walking with Andrea and Lawrence.
 |
| Lawrence and Andrea |
We come to another no-name
creek. But we can tuck ourselves into the shadows and out of the sun.
There is a small crack in a rock where the water splashes down.
Relaxing on the eyes. Besides, it is after 1pm, so it is time for
lunch. It is a nice spot to eat, even if I do say so myself.
I think the heat is getting to
me a bit. Not like in heat exhaustion, just feeling it sap my
strength. After lunch there is no spring in my step. We continue on
up until the road makes a sharp turn. By now, everybody else has come
to the conclusion that we are not making it to Shuteye. So before the
final ascent to Little Shuteye Pass, we turn around.
Even going downhill the spring
does not return to my step. But we do make a bit faster time. We all
stop in front of a sugar pine tree. Now that I think about it, it may
not be in awe, but in fear as those cones are hanging straight down.
One of them hits you and it will do damage.
We make it past the tree to
cross our creeks and back to the car. It certainly is hot. Even
though I have been sipping water like crazy, I do not feel refreshed
and maybe a bit dehydrated. The drive out is the same as coming in.
 |
| Steven |
When we reach Beasore Road, we
decide to go on up it aways, maybe take in Chilkoot Lake. But I
passed that, and Jones Store. By the time I realize it, I am five
miles past the store. We turn around and stop at the store. But they
are closing, having run out of food around 2:00pm. Still have not
eaten there.
So what do we do? Why go back
to our camp at Chilkoot. There we rest. I also have a first: that is
falling asleep in the hammock Steven got me for Christmas two
Christmas’ ago. Felt much better when I got up. You sort of get the
feeling that I am using Christmas gifts this trip.
 |
| Jones Store Hold Up: Steven, Lawrence and Andrea |
Now the question is where to
eat or more accurately, where to pick up the food, around Bass
Lake.
Several places were mentioned, but we decided to try Miller’s
Landing.A
friend of Andrea’s had recommended it. So Andrea and Lawrence go
ahead and we order it when we have a phone connection. When they get
to the place, this looks like a cesspool of potential COVID-19
incubation. They tell us there is no social spacing, about a quarter
of the people are wearing masks and even the staff have a very
“relaxed” attitude about the potential dangers.
Andrea and Lawrence risk
their lives while we go back and search for a place to eat. We find a
day use area called Lakeside. A bit of a mess this late in the day.
But we found a clean set of tables to eat at. The food was good
enough. We watch the crowded boats swish by and wonder and hope that
nobody is on board with COVID-19. As we are leaving, somebody from
the California Land Management comes into the parking lot. This gives
us impetus to leave as technically this is a $10 fee area, which
seems a bit steep for 40 minutes of use.
 |
| Dinner view of Bass Lake |
Back at camp, we sit and talk
and enjoy each other as the skies darken. We get to bed around 9:30.
I read for a while and quickly fell asleep
Extra Photo's
 |
| Morning on Willow Creek |
 |
| Hiking the road: Korra, Steven, Lawrence, Andrea and Sherri |
 |
| Korra and Steven |
 |
| Korra |
 |
| Andrea, the bandit |
 |
| As far as we would go |
 |
| Hill of flowers |
 |
| Shade and shady characters: Lawrence, Andrea, Gary, Steven |
Flowers and Plants
 |
| Indian Paintbrush |
 |
| Indian Paintbrush |
 |
| Sugar Pine |
