August 30, 2012 - Lakes Winnemucca & Round Top

This we hiked 2.3 miles from the Carson Pass trail head to Lake Winnemucca (9000ft), then another mile over a 300 ft pass and down to Round Top Lake (8930ft).  This was a lunch and nap stop for some, but Sherm, Jerry, Loren and Larry took off to attempt the summit of Round Top Mountain. Sherm and Jerry made it to the top (see photos). Once the group relaxing by the lake could see Loren and Larry descending, they took off down the rocky 1.7 mile trail to Woods Lake (8200ft), with a stop at the old Lost Mine. It was quite some time before Sherm and Jerry made it down so our ice cream stop was waived this week.
This was truly a moderate hike, with the exception of the summit portion which was obviously, was rated very difficult. Kudos to Sherm and Jerry for making it! Since we were too late for the wild flowers this year, Rod selected a few photos from last years hike to Winnemucca to remind us of God's handiwork.

Sherms' comments: The round trip to the summit was 7.5 miles with 2000’ vertical climbing . Jerry and myself had to do some rock scrambling to reach the summit. It was a pretty exciting trek to say the least. On the way up we observed an interesting site. Note the picture with what appears as a pathway. The sides appeared as man made and were a consistency or concrete, but I don’t believe these are man made here at 10,000 ft. The snow melt runoff formed a slurry mix of native lime and gravel that was as hard as concrete.Also check out Rod's "zoom" photos taken from the lake level of Sherm and Jerry standing on the summit of Round Top.

August 23, 2013 - Loch Leven Lakes

Loch Leven Lakes was our adventure for this week. Twelve Geezers made the trip, Loren, John, Rod, Beuford, Roland, Sherm, Vern (T), Wayne, Larry, Rich, Merrill and Bill Harley. It was Bill's first hike for quite some time and other than a minor fall, he was up to the task. We had three different hike groups today, Group A - four miles., Group B - six miles and a swim, and Group C - eight miles. Sherm and Rich made up group C going to the upper lake. Although the lakes were warm and inviting, only Rich, Larry, Loren and Roland took the plunge! Overall, the hike had an elevation gain of about 1200ft and was considered moderate before we started but after the hike, many suggested it be rated moderate/strenuous due to the nature of the rocky trail and amount of difficult climbing. It took us 2 3/4 hours in and 2 1/4 hours out, so it was a fairly long day. The trail head is at the Rainbow Lodge exit off I-80.