Hiking with Heidi

Hike Details: Elevation - 6600' - 6800' Location - from I-80, take the exit for Hwy. 20 East, drive about 4 miles then turn right onto Bowman Lake Road, follow it for about 8 miles, watching for the turnoff on the right to Carr Lake. This is where the gravel road begins--sometimes fine, sometimes super bumpy. Then it's about 2 1/2 miles to the trailhead/campground parking area. Mileage - 3+ miles Hiking time - 2 hours I was so happy my friend Melinda could hike with me! And not just because she always brings homemade chocolate chip cookies as trail food. ;) So our plan was to hike past Carr, Feeley and Island Lakes and on to Penner Lake. But piles of snow changed that plan. We chatted with a Scout leader who was hiking in to meet up with his group. He told us the trail was about 95% covered with snow all the way to Island Lake. We had to cross a little creek/waterfall to get over to Feeley Lake. One side of the lake looked like summer. ...

Hike Details: Elevation - low 6800 ft to high 7700 ft. Mileage - 5 miles Hiking time - 4 hours Route - Hwy 80 East, Hwy 20 exit toward Nevada City, turn right on Bowman Lake Road, turn right on Grouse Ridge Road, follow until arriving at a campground, parking is just above the campground. We hiked a little back towards the lookout on Grouse Ridge, then followed the trail back down past Milk Lake, Round Lake, Long Lake and finally to Island Lake. Weather - not too cold, not too hot, perfect and beautiful!  The view looking West from the lookout on top of Grouse Ridge.  Long Lake Island Lake  Looking East, the lake might be Sanford Lake  Round Lake More Island Lake  Lunch on the rocks with a view -- better than any cafe!