Aug 18, 2011 - Lake Winnemucca

On another hot Sacramento day, the Geezerboyz headed for the high Sierras for our annual trek to Lake Winnemucca. The group decided to do the long and short version of this hike. Ten of us John, Wayne, Rod, Larry, Loren G. (L-1), Sherm, Merrill, JD, Glenn and Bob Urke arrived at the Carson Pass (Hwy 88) summit to start the trek to Lake Winnemucca. Many others decided that this was a great place to be, and had the same idea we did. There were more people on this trail than we had ever experienced. After trekking up and down, across several snow fields and streams, through forests and meadows, and stopping frequently for photo opportunities, we arrived at Lake Winnemucca for lunch.
After lunch, 5 of the group decided more adventure was needed for the day, so they headed across the outfall creek, and up the hill to Round Top Lake, and then up to Round Top Peak. The saddle below round top peak was just over 10,000 feet elevation, and the Summit, conquered by Bob and Sherm was about 10,400 feet elevation. Views were spectacular. We could see Round Top Lake and Caples Lake below, and Lake Tahoe, and many snow covered mountains to the south near Yosemite in the distance.
Each group headed home independently, and it was agreed that the wildflowers were the best we had ever seen, and great day was had by all.
Thanks to Glenn for this narrative.

Aug 25, 2011 - Sacramento Old Town Bike Ride

This weeks adventure was a bike ride from Carmichael to Old Town Sacramento. The distance was just short of 30 miles for the round trip. The ride was relatively flat and used bike paths, bike lanes and bike friendly streets of East Sacramento. We look forward to this annual event because we get to lunch at Joe's Crab Shack overlooking the river in Old Town Sacramento. All you can eat soup and salad seemed to be the order of the day, although one or two of us elected something more nutritious, fish and chips!
Last year Sherm had his bike stolen while we were eating lunch so this year, the manager allowed us to park our bikes inside the Crab Shack and on the open deck where we lunched.

There were no unusual incidents except the afternoon heat and Geezer Merrill discovering his bike had a flat tire right after lunch. It was interesting to watch the bike "experts' quickly change the inner tube just like the pro's on the Tour De France!!

Aug 11, 2011 - Frog Lake Overlook - 8653ft

Frog Lake Overlook was the Geezers destination this week. The trail head is on the north side of I-80 at the Donner Summit - east of Castle Peak. We crossed under I-80 through two fairly dry culverts and immediately into spectacular scenery of mountains, valleys and due to the late snow run off, an abundance of wild flowers. The hike itself was just short of 7 miles in length. The first mile was fairly level but some of us knew what was coming! The last two miles or so had an elevation gain of almost 1500ft to reach the Frog Lake overlook at 8653ft. We rated this hike as moderately-strenuous, the length being moderate but the climb quite strenuous. This weeks hikers were John, Rod, Rich, Glenn, Merrill, Larry, Sherm (with his grandson), JD, Roland and Loren Gray. With so much lovely scenery, everyone was picture happy and I received too many photos to upload so I've limited the selection more to scenery and less to good looking Geezers!