Eldorado NF
|
Margaret Lake Eldorado NF |
June 27, 2009
One of today's companions hasn't hiked in several years, so I have selected a relatively easy route at an elevation high enough to offset the current heat wave. It will go over 100° in the valley today.
The first mile or so is an up-and-down affair that takes us steadily lower. The trail is mostly pleasant walking, with occasional clambering over a granite slab or two.
Dave, John, and Cathy
 |
 |
| Trail extremes: rough to duff | |
 |
 |
| Lamb's Tongue Groundsel | Mountain Prettyface |
At a little pond the route becomes quite green and lush, as we follow a creek the remainder of the way. The elephant ears are three and four feet high in here. It wasn't quite like this during my visit three years ago in later summer.
 |
 |
| The object is not to get wet | This one is pretty easy |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Pleasant walking | Obstacle course |
Cathy and I train our cameras on some ants as they crawl in and out of a hole in a fallen log. Perhaps only photographers would give them more than a passing glance.
Nobody works harder than these guys
As a cliff appears, I know that we are getting close. At one point, some sort of trail veers left, but a sign says to head up the steep granite slab, which we do.
 |
 |
| Nearing the destination | Yes, that's the trail |
After a hands-on scramble at the top of the climb, we find ourselves at lakeshore. A number of swimmers are trying their luck.
Margaret Lake
 |
 |
| Eventually he did jump in | This boy merely peed in the water |
I would not have tried this
The best stopping places are occupied, so we opt for a flat sunny slab on which to break out the peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
 |
 |
| Taking each other's picture | Relief from workplace stress |
Beside the lake I find it interesting that the dead trees seem to have taken on the same colors as the nearby cliffs.
Matching outfits
On the return we run into a Boy Scout troop, all sporting red shirts, which they didn't have in my day. Only the trailside penstemon is more brightly colored.
 |
 |
| Mountain Pride | Larkspur |
A few more flowers, a nice meadow, and another tricky stream crossing lie just ahead.
 |
 |
| Western Wallflower | Velvet Stickseed |
 |
.jpg) |
| Miner's Lettuce | A variety of Monkeyflower is my guess |
 |
 |
| Really easy walking | Dave's balancing act |
As we approach the trailhead, an unusual formation overlooks are area. Highway 88 actually lies between us and the volcanic rocks.
The Two Sentinels
§: Although this hike proved not to be the cakewalk that I had promised,
it was quite pleasant, and everybody is happy. Nevertheless, we all are
fairly worn out, due primarily to the heat. The temperature has hovered
around eighty degrees here all day.
Margaret Lake
Two Sentinels