A nippy day on Deer Springs Trail

[Sally]

I chose the Deer Springs Trail for my weekly hike last Wednesday. I started out with a down jacket, but making tracks uphill made me peel out of the jacket a few minutes later. About an hour into the trip the wind picked up, making it pretty chilly, but I didn't want to hassle getting my jacket out of my pack so I just picked up the pace.

I eventually got to the spot where the Conservation Corps had their camp set up all summer, but they had moved out. When I was in the area where you go through the buckthorn, I came upon a backpacker who had spent the night in LRV and visited the Peak in the morning. My lips were so cold that I could barely get them to work to give him my salutations.

The first stream I crossed was flowing, but when I got to the spring that runs down the trail for several yards I found that it was frozen solid. I had to be careful as I made my way past it.

When I was in LRV I saw two deer. One took off but the other just stared at me for a long moment. Then I was on the switchbacks. At this point the wind REALLY picked up. I finally put my jacket and gloves back on. There were ice globs the size of tangerines in the trees, and they were hurtling down at me with each gust of wind. The ice chunks littered the trail looking like huge diamonds. I was feeling adrenaline as I wondered if I was going to get hit by a falling tree or a larger ice chunk.

When I got to the summit I didn't bother to climb onto the rock with the summit sign for fear of getting blown off. I hunkered down in the sheltered area below to eat my lunch.

The sky had been clear except for some high clouds throughout the trip until I neared the trailhead. I found myself walking into a fog bank as I neared the bottom. It was eerie and mystical to watch it winding its way through the mountain, and the sight of it veiling Lily Rock was beautiful to see.

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[iSurfLowers]

I am thinking of camping at LRV next weekend (11/20). Were you saying there was water at LRV or was that well before you got there?

[Sally]

Yes, there is water in Little Round Valley. Have you checked the weather report for next weekend? Welcome to the board!

[Ulysses]

Great trip report Sally. Deer Springs is one of my favorite trails this time of year, and I try to get up there as much as possible before snow arrives. I have been doing a variation of this hike by going south on the PCT at Strawberry Junction, over to the Wellman Trail and then on to the peak. Down via LRV and Deer Springs. I beleieve the mileage is about the same, but it makes it a nice loop hike.