THE HIKE. On Sunday, we'll venture forth to Showers Lake, starting
from Schneiders Cow Camp. If our timing is right, we'll see lots of
gorgeous wildflowers in bloom. And we'll have beautiful ridgetop views
of Meiss Meadow, Red Lake Peak, Stevens Peak, and more.
The distance will be 4.2 miles round trip, all on trail, with a respectable
amount of elevation gain. There may still be a few patches of snow on
the trail. I'll try to set a pace that is comfortable for everyone.
VEHICLE NOTE. The last few miles of the drive to the trailhead is on a
dirt road that is deeply rutted in places. Standard passenger cars will
probably scrape bottom. I strongly encourage SUV owners to take
carpoolers. Ordinary 2-wheel drive pick-up trucks will also work.
PREPARATIONS. The forecast calls for nice weather . However local
afternoon thundershowers are always a possibility this time of year. It
would be a good idea to bring rain gear of some kind. A large plastic
garbage sack, with precut holes for the neck and arms will work, weighs
very little, and takes up very little space in your rucksack or fanny-pack.
There will be mosquitos; so bring insect repellant. In places, the trail
may be slushy; so be sure to bring a change of shoes and socks for
when we get back to the cars. I can't guarantee the cleanliness of the
lake water; so it would be a good idea to bring at least a quart of
drinking water, along with your lunch.
Other things to bring: sturdy comfortable footwear, TP, sunglasses,
sunscreen, walking stick or hiking pole(s), optional hat, optional camera.
CARPOOL INFO. We'll depart from the Nimbus Winery Shopping
Center parking lot at 9:00 AM. Starting from Sacramento, go East on
I-50. Take the Hazel exit, and turn right (South). As soon a possible,
get into the left turn lane, and then turn left. Then, as soon as
possible, turn left into the shopping center parking lot. I drive a
white Subaru Outback station wagon. RSVP to
wimpehiker@yahoo.com
if you plan to join us. When everyone arrives, we can leave immediately,
even if it's a few minutes early.
DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD. Get back onto I-50 Eastbound. Drive
through Placerville, past Camino, to Pollock Pines. Take the Sly
Park exit. Turn right. Continue driving for a few miles. When you
can see Jenkinson Lake through the trees off to your left, slow
down. Then turn left onto a road called Mormon Immigrant Trail.
Continue driving until you come to a T intersection at Highway
88. Turn left. Drive past Silver Lake and past Caples Lake. When
you see a maintenance station sign, turn left, park your vehicle on
the side of the road, and wait for the other vehicles. From there,
we'll caravan to the trailhead at Schneiders Cow Camp. The
driving time should be approximately 2 hours each way. A beautiful
drive to a beautiful hike.
from Schneiders Cow Camp. If our timing is right, we'll see lots of
gorgeous wildflowers in bloom. And we'll have beautiful ridgetop views
of Meiss Meadow, Red Lake Peak, Stevens Peak, and more.
The distance will be 4.2 miles round trip, all on trail, with a respectable
amount of elevation gain. There may still be a few patches of snow on
the trail. I'll try to set a pace that is comfortable for everyone.
VEHICLE NOTE. The last few miles of the drive to the trailhead is on a
dirt road that is deeply rutted in places. Standard passenger cars will
probably scrape bottom. I strongly encourage SUV owners to take
carpoolers. Ordinary 2-wheel drive pick-up trucks will also work.
PREPARATIONS. The forecast calls for nice weather . However local
afternoon thundershowers are always a possibility this time of year. It
would be a good idea to bring rain gear of some kind. A large plastic
garbage sack, with precut holes for the neck and arms will work, weighs
very little, and takes up very little space in your rucksack or fanny-pack.
There will be mosquitos; so bring insect repellant. In places, the trail
may be slushy; so be sure to bring a change of shoes and socks for
when we get back to the cars. I can't guarantee the cleanliness of the
lake water; so it would be a good idea to bring at least a quart of
drinking water, along with your lunch.
Other things to bring: sturdy comfortable footwear, TP, sunglasses,
sunscreen, walking stick or hiking pole(s), optional hat, optional camera.
CARPOOL INFO. We'll depart from the Nimbus Winery Shopping
Center parking lot at 9:00 AM. Starting from Sacramento, go East on
I-50. Take the Hazel exit, and turn right (South). As soon a possible,
get into the left turn lane, and then turn left. Then, as soon as
possible, turn left into the shopping center parking lot. I drive a
white Subaru Outback station wagon. RSVP to
wimpehiker@yahoo.com
if you plan to join us. When everyone arrives, we can leave immediately,
even if it's a few minutes early.
DIRECTIONS TO TRAILHEAD. Get back onto I-50 Eastbound. Drive
through Placerville, past Camino, to Pollock Pines. Take the Sly
Park exit. Turn right. Continue driving for a few miles. When you
can see Jenkinson Lake through the trees off to your left, slow
down. Then turn left onto a road called Mormon Immigrant Trail.
Continue driving until you come to a T intersection at Highway
88. Turn left. Drive past Silver Lake and past Caples Lake. When
you see a maintenance station sign, turn left, park your vehicle on
the side of the road, and wait for the other vehicles. From there,
we'll caravan to the trailhead at Schneiders Cow Camp. The
driving time should be approximately 2 hours each way. A beautiful
drive to a beautiful hike.
