Union Creek Peak is on the docket for today. This is 12 miles RT and about 1500 ft. However, we're only going 10 miles because the trail to the Peak is too hazardous for the group to do it.
The trail (for the first 2 miles) follows the PCT.
The trail starts in a forest with hardy and ground cover - strange but cool.
I'm not feeling it today but I'm trying to push thru to at least the 2 mile mark; we'll see how that goes.
We meet some folks who tells us there's cougar tracks at about the 3 mile mark - thanks!
I see a few lupine but not in much in name of flowers around that I can't see.
But there are a few more PCTers heading in the opposite direction.
Somewhere after a mile, I've had it. This group moves fast and I just have no energy today. I little rise has me out of breathe so I wait for the guide and say I'm heading back. And I do.
On the way back, I'm just at a super slow pace -- they still have 8.5 miles (or so to go) so might as well check things out. And surprise! There are flowers besides Lupine.
I find Pipsissawa
Sidebells
Asters
Perhaps Coralroot (it is definitely a plant that does NOT photosynthesize).
And fungi - Cauliflower Fungus
and other fungi
As far as wildlife, just chipmunks
and a guy on horseback.
and a CA Tortoiseshell.
Rain clouds are rolling in. I don't care because I do have the car keys. I move around trying to find a comfortable spot - a log (nope, too may ants), a tree (not comfortable), against a big boulder (still not comfortable). I end up sitting against a building on concrete and it's not too bad.
It's tries to sprinkle a couple of time but nothing sticking.
The first person shows up around 1pm. Followed by the rest at 1:25sh. They're quick.
We head back thru Mazamata Village stopping at a Gift Shop; no ice cream moving on.
Then on to the Visitor's Center for the movie - I thought it is very interesting. And then back to our rooms by 3pm.
It's cloudy here. The lake just looks big.
Hoping I have the energy for tomorrow's hike - should be easy for me but there's about 900ft in elevation over 2.5 miles.
