Hikes off of Highway 108 (Sonora Pass)

Chase the Sun

“Can we reach the summit, my head to the sky;  my body and spirit are freedom’s cry;  there are no chains, so let me run;  for all of my life I will chase the sun;  both you and I we chase the sun”  Corey Hart (Chase the Sun)

The first week of last August, I stayed up in Angels Camp so that I could do a few hikes out off of Highway 108 (Sonora Pass).  The first hike that I did was to a series of lakes including Secret, Roosevelt, and Lane.  This hike begins at Leavitt Meadow Campground which is about 8 miles east of the Sonora Pass.  The total distance is about 7.1 miles round trip and is rated as moderate.  I had never been on a hike on the eastern side of the Sierra so I was excited to go and explore the terrain.

 

Secret Lake
Secret Lake

 

The trail is looping so I decided to start by going up the eastern side.  Once you get through the campground, you cross a big steel bridge which crosses over the West Walker River.  The river was still moving pretty strong when I went in August.  So as I got to the junction of the trail loop, I stayed to the left to head towards Secret Lake first.  This first two miles of the hike is pretty much a climb.   There was a nice respite at a meadow and then another half mile to the Lake.  The terrain is more open with sage and Jefferey pine, and the weather was warm, so it was nice to get to some shade at Secret Lake.  It was beautiful and serene.  I spent quite a bit of time there as it is a fairly large lake and worth exploring.

Secret Lake

 

Climbing away from Secret Lake

I was excited to see the other lakes, so off I went as the trail continued on to the right.  Once I reached the junction for Poore Lake or Roosevelt Lake, I continued on straight ahead to Roosevelt.  After about 1.1 miles, I arrived at the lake and it too, was quiet and serene.

Roosevelt Lake
Roosevelt Lake
Hiking around Roosevelt Lake


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As I hiked around the lake, there was a channel at the other end, which connects to Lane Lake.  It was a beautiful little waterway with Lane Lake being quite small.  Here I ran across a few campers who had found some ideal spots to stay overnight.  I also came across a few ponds lying within a beautiful meadow at the far end.  I spent some time here to relax and have some lunch.  Since this trail is a loop, I looked forward the the journey back and what I would find.

Water way and Lane Lake

The pond and meadow

As it often happens, as I made my way back, the weather began to change.  Dark clouds were rolling in and I was hoping to get back to my car before the thunderstorm.  The beauty of this change was that it was much cooler, and although I avoided the downfall of rain, I did encounter a few drops on the way.  This portion of the hike led me to Leavitt Meadows, which is quite beautiful with the river winding through it.  I followed the meadow all the way back.   I also encountered a wild flower I had not seen before, the crested prickly poppy.  The flowers are large and quite abundant along the hillside.

Crested Prickly Poppy
Leavitt Meadows

As I reflect on this hike, I think about the expanse of land.  How perfectly it is laid out.  How varied the terrain is.  How similar, yet different each lake is.  How all of this results in a peacefulness that is beyond words.  And how free it makes me feel…and how I will always chase the sun.

 

Looking down on Leavitt Meadows

 

Made a stop driving out to see Leavitt Falls

 

 

 

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